As Bella completed her toxicology tests, meticulously recording her findings, the door to the examination room swung open, and the commanding officer stepped inside. His expression was a mix of urgency and concern, and he wasted no time in assessing the situation.
“Bella, Leo, how’s the autopsy going?” the CO asked, his voice steady but with an underlying tension. He glanced at the body on the table, the seriousness of their task palpable in the air.
“We’ve identified a possible poison,” Bella replied, not looking up from her notes. “There’s a strong scent of *strychnine*, and I’ve begun the toxicology tests to confirm. If it’s accurate, it could indicate foul play in the soldier's death.”
The CO’s brow furrowed as he absorbed her words. “Foul play? That’s a serious accusation. Do you have any leads on who might be responsible?”
Bella and Leo exchanged glances, both aware that they were still piecing together the puzzle. “Not yet,” Leo said, his tone measured. “But if we can confirm the poison, it might lead us to who had access to it or who would want to harm him.”
The CO nodded, crossing his arms as he considered their words. “I need you both to keep this information under wraps for now. We can’t have any leaks about potential foul play until we have more concrete evidence. If word gets out, it could compromise our investigation and put others at risk.”
“Understood, sir,” Bella replied, feeling a surge of adrenaline. She appreciated the CO’s trust in their judgment, knowing that they were on the cusp of something significant.
“Do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this,” the CO continued, his gaze shifting between Bella and Leo. “I’ll ensure you have all the resources you need. If someone is out there, we need to find them before they strike again.”
With a nod, the CO turned to leave, but paused at the door. “And be careful. This isn’t just an ordinary case; we’re dealing with the potential for dangerous individuals who might not hesitate to eliminate anyone who gets in their way.”
Once he left, Bella felt the weight of his words settle over them. “He’s right,” she said quietly, turning back to her equipment. “If this is a targeted killing, we need to act fast. I’ll have the toxicology results ready as soon as possible, but we should start looking into who might have had a motive against him.”
Leo nodded in agreement, his expression serious. “Let’s pull together everything we have. Witness statements, previous incidents involving the soldier, anything that could connect the dots. We can’t afford to overlook anything.”
As they worked side by side, the sense of urgency propelled them forward. Bella felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her mind racing with possibilities. She was determined to uncover the truth, no matter where it led them.
The toxicology report was completed, and Bella felt a rush of validation as the results confirmed her suspicions. The soldier had indeed ingested *strychnine*, a potent poison known for its lethal effects. She quickly gathered her notes and turned to Leo, determination shining in her eyes.
“Okay, we need to move quickly,” she said, her voice steady. “The report is in, and we have confirmation that the soldier was poisoned. We need to secure the area immediately and gather all relevant information to present to the CO.”
Leo nodded, his expression serious as he helped her organize the findings. “I’ll notify the CO and get the necessary personnel to seal off the area. We can’t have anyone tampering with the scene.”
As Leo stepped out to handle the logistics, Bella took a moment to collect her thoughts. They needed to cover all bases. She quickly jotted down the next steps: examining the kitchen, interviewing the chefs, and checking the supply logs for any unusual activity.
YOU ARE READING
An Unforgiving Love
RomanceCaptain Lucas Morani has just returned home after five grueling years of military service in Iraq, his mind constantly occupied by thoughts of the woman he left behind. But when he arrives to find his girlfriend has moved on with his own brother, th...
