Chapter 3 - Shadows in the Blood
Dr. Marcus Sterling, a long-time friend of the Vance family and a top neurologist, arrived at the estate within thirty minutes. He sat in the private study with David while Lily rested upstairs, a portable blood-testing kit open on the desk between them.
"The initial blood screen is alarming, David," Dr. Sterling said, staring at the digital readout on his laptop. He pointed to a spiked graph. "Lily’s blood contains trace amounts of Neurotoxin-B7, a heavily restricted chemical compound."
David felt the room tilt. He gripped the edge of the mahogany desk until his knuckles turned white. "A neurotoxin? How?"
"In small, daily doses, Neurotoxin-B7 doesn't kill," Sterling explained, his face grim. "It targets the peripheral nervous system, specifically blocking the signals between the lower spinal cord and the leg muscles. It induces temporary, artificial paraplegia. If administered continuously, the muscles atrophy, and eventually, the block becomes permanent."
"Helen..." David whispered, the terrifying reality setting in. "She’s been poisoning my daughter."
"Why did she stand up today?" David asked, his voice trembling.
"Cold water shock," Sterling replied instantly. "A sudden, extreme thermal shock releases a massive surge of adrenaline. Adrenaline can temporarily override chemical neuro-blockers. When Helen sprayed her with that freezing water, Lily’s nervous system threw off the toxin’s effect for a few brief seconds. It was a miracle of biology, David. If Helen hadn't sprayed her, another six months of those pills would have permanently paralyzed her."
David put his head in his hands. A mixture of profound guilt and murderous rage consumed him. He had brought Helen into his home two years after his first wife died. He had thought Helen was a caring companion for his grieving daughter. Instead, he had handed his child over to a monster.
"Who is Dr. Thorne?" David asked, looking up, his eyes bloodshot. "Helen mentioned a Dr. Thorne."
Dr. Sterling frowned. "Dr. Julian Thorne? He was stripped of his medical license four years ago for illegal clinical trials. He runs an underground pharmaceutical advisory firm now. If Helen was getting compounds from him, this isn't just domestic abuse, David. This is premeditated, attempted long-term murder for financial gain."
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David stood up, reaching into his suit pocket for his phone. He dialed his head of private security, a former Special Forces officer named Sam Vance, who was also David’s younger brother.
"Sam," David said as soon as the line connected. "Lock down the estate. Bring four men. Helen poisoned Lily, and I want Thorne found before the sun sets."
