Chapter 2 - The Unlabeled Bottle
Hospital security took Cassandra’s phone before she could delete anything else.
She protested loudly.
“That is private property.”
Naomi did not look at her.
“Toby’s life is not private.”
Elijah moved toward the treatment bed.
A nurse stopped him.
“Let them work.”
He watched Naomi insert an IV into Toby’s small arm with steady hands.
Years earlier, those same hands had held his face while he promised they would build a family together.
Now she would not look at him unless his son’s condition required it.
The toxicology screen showed a synthetic immune suppressant used in early-stage Sherman Biotech research.
In adults, the drug could reduce severe inflammatory reactions.
In a child, the dose found in Toby’s blood could shut down breathing and damage the liver.
Elijah swallowed hard.
“That drug is locked in our development lab.”
Naomi turned toward him.
“Who has access?”
“Me. Our chief scientist. And Cassandra.”
Cassandra stared at him.
“You told me the medication was safe.”
The room became silent.
Elijah’s face drained of color.
“I never gave you anything.”
“You said it helped allergic reactions.”
“I said it was being studied.”
Cassandra pointed toward Toby.
“He had shrimp at dinner. He was swelling. I panicked.”
Naomi stepped closer.
“Then why was the bottle unlabeled?”
Cassandra did not answer.
“And why were you deleting messages?”
“I was scared.”
“So was Toby.”
Cassandra’s confidence began to crack.
A nurse announced that Toby’s oxygen level was falling again.
Naomi turned away immediately.
“Prepare the antidote protocol.”
Elijah followed her with his eyes.
“Will he survive?”
Naomi paused.
“I don’t know yet.”
That answer broke something in him.
He covered his face with both hands.
Behind him, a security officer recovered one deleted message from Cassandra’s phone.
It had been sent thirty minutes before Toby collapsed.
May you like
The message read:
I gave him the full dose. When should the symptoms start?
