Chapter 19 - The Doctor’s Files
The prosecution’s medical expert explained the sedative.
At low doses, it caused fatigue and memory gaps.
At higher doses, it suppressed breathing and increased the danger of falls.
Combined with Evelyn’s regular medication, the risk became severe.
Vale knew this.
His own research notes listed the interaction.
His clinic files contained dosage schedules for Evelyn and Anna.
Anna’s schedule increased gradually.
The final entry read:
Stage 4 — filmed crisis, emergency hold.
Evelyn’s schedule ended with:
Noncompliant. Resolution required.
Vale claimed the word “resolution” referred to ending treatment.
Then prosecutors presented his text messages with Dererick.
D: She won’t sign.
V: Then increase tonight.
D: Risk?
V: Manageable if no one calls emergency services too quickly.
That message connected the delayed ambulance directly to the plan.
Vale’s face lost color.
Dererick’s attorney requested separate trials.
The judge denied the request.
Their conspiracy had been documented in their own words.
Then the defense introduced an alternative explanation.
Evelyn may have taken additional medication herself after Dererick left the room.
The prosecution answered with fingerprints.
Only Evelyn’s prints appeared on her prescribed bottle.
Dererick’s fingerprint appeared on the hidden numbered bottle.
Vale’s appeared on the cap.
The chain was complete.
The numbered bottle came from Vale.
Dererick brought it.
Evelyn ingested the drug.
Both men delayed or prevented help.
Whether they intended immediate death became less important than the fact that they knowingly created fatal danger to obtain control of her estate.
Prosecutors pursued felony murder connected to financial exploitation.
The maximum sentence became life.
Dererick attempted to negotiate again.
This time, he offered to accuse Vale of three additional deaths.
Prosecutors accepted the information but promised no immunity.
Dererick realized he had waited too long.
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Just as he had forced Anna to sign documents while weak, the system now asked him to choose while powerless.
He did not enjoy the position.
