Chapter 1 - The Lethal Dose
“But the symptoms do not match the diagnosis,” Nina finally said, her voice dropping to a cautious whisper.
Mrs. Calder narrowed her eyes and stepped closer to the bedside table.
“Dr. Keller is the best private physician money can buy on the East Coast,” the housekeeper warned.
“I know his reputation, but I also know what a standard viral infection looks like,” Nina insisted.
She picked up the small amber vial resting on the silver tray.
The liquid inside was a pale, almost translucent yellow.
“This is supposed to be a broad-spectrum antibiotic mixed with a heavy fever reducer,” Nina explained.
“It is what Dr. Keller prescribed, and it is what you will administer,” Mrs. Calder stated firmly before turning to leave the room.
Nina stood alone in the quiet bedroom, holding the small glass vial up to the amber light of the bedside lamp.
Her heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
She twisted the cap off and brought the vial to her nose, sniffing carefully.
A sharp, metallic scent burned the back of her throat.
Antibiotics smelled like chalk or sulfur, not like bitter almonds and rusted iron.
Her former medical training screamed at her that this was not medicine.
This was a highly concentrated, synthetic neurotoxin designed to mimic a fatal systemic infection.
Someone was actively trying to murder Alexander Romano right in front of his entire security detail.
Nina looked down at the pale, sweating face of the billionaire.
If she gave him this dose, his heart would likely stop before the sun fully rose.
She walked into the adjoining master bathroom and poured the toxic liquid straight down the marble sink.
She rinsed the vial thoroughly with hot water to remove any lingering trace of the poison.
Then, she filled it with sterile saline solution from her personal emergency kit.
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She walked back to the bed and injected the harmless saline into his intravenous line.
Now, all she could do was wait and pray that her terrifying theory was correct.
