Chapter 18 - The Forensic Proof
The dawn sky over the Oakridge Cemetery in Boston was chilly and grey as the forensic crew worked under spotlight tents.
Julian stood near the granite headstone, wearing a black overcoat as the wooden casket was lifted from the earth.
Dr. Aris Thorne, the state's top forensic toxicologist, conducted the specialized tissue analysis inside a mobile laboratory unit.
Four hours later, Dr. Thorne stepped out of the trailer, holding a sealed digital medical report.
"Mr. Vance, the bone marrow tissue shows massive concentrations of thallium sulfate," Dr. Thorne confirmed formally.
"The cause of death was acute chemical toxicity, not natural heart failure," the doctor declared with absolute certainty.
Julian closed his eyes, offering a silent prayer to his late wife as the ocean breeze rustled through the autumn trees.
"She will pay for what she did to you, Sarah," Julian whispered softly into the wind.
He called Prosecutor Vance, authorizing the immediate filing of first-degree capital murder charges against Victoria.
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The state attorney's office officially upgraded her charges, seeking the ultimate penalty under the law.
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