Chapter 3 - THE WATCH
Derek did not have Robert’s retirement watch when police first spoke with him.
He said his own watch was a Rolex he had owned for years.
Records supported that.
So Khloe had not seen Grandpa’s watch on his wrist at the party.
Important correction.
Children notice details.
Adults often connect them incorrectly.
I had.
The investigation continued.
Robert eventually remembered leaving his retirement watch in the study because the clasp was loose.
Derek admitted entering the study.
He said he needed a phone charger.
Nothing criminal about that.
Then Helen found something.
The study had a small indoor camera.
Robert installed it eighteen months earlier after cash went missing during a holiday gathering.
I had forgotten.
So had Helen.
The footage did not show the entire room.
But it showed the desk.
Police collected the relevant recording rather than letting our family pass copies around.
The video showed Derek entering at 1:17 p.m.
He opened a desk drawer.
Removed Robert’s watch.
Held it.
Then placed it back.
So he had not stolen it.
At 1:19, he handled a small bottle near a glass.
The angle did not establish what went into the drink.
Then Khloe appeared.
Derek moved quickly toward her.
The camera had no audio.
She backed away.
A glass fell.
Liquid spilled onto her dress.
Derek caught her by the upper arm.
Then walked her out of frame.
That corroborated significant portions of her account.
It still did not identify the substance.
Investigators needed more.
They got it from Robert.
May you like
Not from a miraculous toxicology result.
From his medication history.
