The Widow's Death Chapter 13

The case's impact was growing worse. It was going viral online.

Riverside, at the center of the vortex, had become a tourist attraction.

Even so-called influencers insisted on checking in at the crime scene.

They couldn't get in openly during the day because it would contaminate the scene, but what about at night?

Detective Russo was furious.

The case wasn't solved, and now all these idiots were interfering.

Fortunately, they were somewhat respectful, not touching anything in the house, just taking a selfie and running.

The state police were also furious, harshly criticizing Detective Russo for his incompetence. One rural case, over half a month and still unsolved, and he had the nerve to reopen Martha Henderson's case for review.

And now what?

Two cases, neither solved.

Riverside seemed to have become Detective Russo's nightmare. What was supposed to be a resume-building assignment had turned into a mess.

"Detective, the expert forensics team from the state police conducted a second autopsy. There seems to be... new findings."

"The deceased, Frank Wilson, cause of death: poisoning. The forensic pathologist suspects he ingested paraquat. We also provided information that he had large quantities of high-protein foods and beverages at home—milk, eggs, beef."

"Paraquat metabolizes quickly in the body, almost completely within 24 hours, but the lung damage is irreversible."

"High-protein foods would slow his poisoning while reducing his suffering. This is why he could still act normal before the poison took full effect."

"Over time, his lungs would become fibrotic. Unfortunately, he died before complete fibrosis occurred, which is why our ME initially determined death by sleeping pills."

"The expert team carefully analyzed the victim's body. While there's no paraquat residue in his body, there's slight fibrosis in his lungs—easy to miss without close examination. The sleeping pill content in his body was minimal, not enough to cause death in an adult."

Detective Russo listened to these theories, his mouth twitching.

"Then explain the bruising on his neck. Why would he commit suicide when he was perfectly fine?"

The assistant opened the file.

"Uh... it's the human survival instinct. His lungs had begun to fibrose. Though slow, it still affected his breathing, plus the sleeping pills suppressed respiration."

"When he couldn't catch his breath, he tried using both hands to squeeze his neck, hoping to get more air into his windpipe."

"Uh... well, Detective, this is just a theory."

Detective Russo was at a loss for words.

"Damn it. A bunch of people making wild guesses. You're saying paraquat poisoning, but there's no paraquat in his system. And squeezing his own neck to breathe? Don't you think that sounds ridiculous?"

As Detective Russo spoke, he felt increasingly irritated.

"Forget it. Just find evidence. The task force will take over."

Detective Russo leaned back in his chair and opened his phone, just as a text message popped up.

Can't solve the case? Then let's see who's next.

Detective Russo shot up from his chair.