Chapter 38
Lauren gazed at Andrew with sparkling eyes. “Dr Lloyd, please tell us how you figured it out.”
Andrew explained, “It’s quite simple. You have a predictable routine between three locations. Since the culprit couldn’t act at photo shoots or your home, that only leaves the company.”
Francesca chimed in, “That’s obvious. But how can you be so certain it’s a high–ranking insider at Rhodes Corporation?”
Andrew replied calmly, “Think about it–as CEO of the corporation, would regular employees have access to her? To poison her food or drinks, they’d need access to her office or personal items. Only executives have that kind of privilege,”
“Dr. Lloyd is absolutely right,” Lauren exclaimed. “At Rhodes Corporation, only senior executives have that level of access to get near me.”
Michael snickered. “Then how do you explain Cece’s poisoning? She didn’t eat or drink anything–she just visited briefly and got poisoned. Your theory makes no sense!”
“Exactly. You can’t explain that part with your theory,” Francesca commented.
Andrew remained unfazed. “Of course, it makes sense. It’s the same poison in both cases, showing the culprit tried twice. Poison can spread in many ways, most directly through inhalation. I’d bet Ms. Cecelia touched some of Ms. Rhodes’s personal items while visiting.”
Michael snorted and was ready to argue, but Andrew cut in, saying, “Based on the inhalation theory, Ms. Cecelia must have come into contact with one of Ms. Rhodes‘ personal items, perhaps flowers.
“Given that a beautiful CEO like Ms. Rhodes receives flowers daily, poisoning the pollen would be an effective method.”
Before Michael and Francesca could argue, Lauren exclaimed in awe, “Dr. Lloyd, you’re incredible! Cece did faint after handling my flowers that day. I never made the connection because I receive so many flowers daily.”
“Do you always bring these flowers to your office?” Andrew asked.
Lauren shook her head. “Not always–only when I’m in the mood. Usually, I don’t bother with them.”
Andrew nodded. “That explains it. The culprit must have known this, so the flower pollen method wasn’t reliable. Meanwhile, poisoning your coffee would have been foolproof if Eunice hadn’t accidentally foiled their plan.”
Eunice grimaced, wondering why she always ended up being the victim.
“Brilliant! Dr. Lloyd, you’re absolutely brilliant! I could just kiss you!” Lauren beamed at Andrew with admiring eyes.
Chapter 38
Francesca sighed in frustration. “I should’ve realized the poison could spread through pollen
too.”
