Fruit of the Poisoned Tree

You don’t by any chance have another bicycle do you?”

“No. But I’m going to call a taxi anyway, or I’ll be late. He can drop you at your house after he leaves me at the precinct.” She explained about the horse chestnut honey samples.

“And you really think eating that honey killed Park?”

“I think it was a factor.” Peggy called for the taxi, then put on her coat and scarf. “Maybe it was just an accident on the part of the honey manufacturer. Not all botanical poisonings happen on purpose. Most are accidental.”

They talked about the honey all the way to the uptown precinct. Peggy gave Beth a house key and told her to feel free to come and go, as she paid the driver’s fare. “I have to close up the shop when I’m done here. I should be home by seven, but if there’s a delivery, I could be later. Help yourself to some food. But whatever you do, don’t let the dog out of the laundry room. I’m afraid his lesson in obedience didn’t go well today. It may be a while before he can be in the house again.”

“Thank you, Peggy.” Beth took the key with a smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Waving as the taxi pulled away, Peggy glanced at her watch, then hurried into the police station. The sergeant at the desk sent her back to forensics with a visitor’s badge clipped to her sweater. She saw Mai waiting outside a door in the hall and called to her. “Sorry I’m late. I was trying to settle a few things.” She explained about Beth, Hunter, and David.

Mai frowned. “I’m not sure you should tell me anything else. This doesn’t look good for your friend. I work for the police. I can’t take sides. I can’t be your confidant in this.”

“Is something wrong?” Peggy was surprised by her attitude. Mai was helpful, determined to find the truth whether it was good for the case or not.

“I found out that I’m up for promotion,” Mai whispered with a shy, proud smile. “I might be the next senior assistant medical examiner. That means a lot to me, and I don’t want to do the wrong thing and mess it up. I’m sorry.”

“That’s all right.” Peggy smiled and patted the younger woman’s arm. “You work hard. You deserve the promotion. I’ll try not to make this bad for you.”

“Thanks. I’m glad you understand. The ME is waiting for you. We should go in.”

Peggy paused. “Would the promotion affect the situation with you and Paul?”

“You mean about the house?” Mai shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I still have so many doubts that have nothing to do with finances. I don’t know what to say. Have you spoken to him about it?”

Recalling her last visit with her son, Peggy shook her head. “No. He was upset with me about the honey. I thought it might be best to catch him when he’s more . . . amenable.”

Mai opened the door to the ME’s lab. “When it comes to talking about this house,” she told Peggy, “he’s never more amenable. Don’t worry about it. We’ll work it out. I’m sorry I tried to involve you. It was wrong. You’re Paul’s mother.”

“I’m also your friend, I hope.”

Mai smiled at her. “You are. Sorry. There’s just so much going on right now. I think I’m getting confused.”

Peggy didn’t have a chance to assure her she could handle it. When they walked into the spotless lab, there were people walking back and forth, some stopping to talk to Mai. The lab area was huge. Mai pointed out various aspects of what they could do with evidence that was collected. A new DNA processor stood proudly in the center of the room.

“We still don’t have all the resources the state crime lab has in Raleigh,” Mai explained as they passed a shower for washing off chemicals. “But we’re finally catching up. We handle evidence here from several counties besides Mecklenburg. Hundreds of cases come through here, everything from burglaries and shoplifting to rape, arson, and homicide.”

“You must be the infamous Peggy Lee.” A tall, stout man in a white lab coat joined them. He wore heavy glasses that were reminiscent of the ones so popular in England thirty years ago. He held out a hand to her. “I’m Dr. Harold Ramsey, Chief Medical Examiner for Mecklenburg County.”

“I don’t know about the infamous part.” Peggy put her hand in his and squeezed. “But the name is right. How do you do, Dr. Ramsey? I’ve heard a lot about you.”

He ran a hand across his thinning dark hair that was swept forward to cover an obvious bald spot on top of his head, then held his hands behind him and rocked back on his heels. “You know, you’re alternately a devil and an angel around these parts, depending on the day and the person speaking. You don’t sing, by any chance, do you? There’s no real connection between you and the other Peggy Lee, is there?”

“No, I’m afraid not. I didn’t even come upon the name until after I was married. My husband used to beg me not to sing in the shower.”

He nodded. “That’s right. Wife of Detective John Lee. Mother of Officer Paul Lee. Any other relatives on the force?”

“Not that I know of. Really, two is more than enough. I did everything I could to discourage my son from taking the badge after his father died. But you know how it is when you’re young, Dr. Ramsey. You see everything in black and white.”

“I thought everyone saw everything in black and white at all ages, Mrs. Lee.” He peered at her quizzically down the length of his broad nose. “I know I do. I thought it might be a common failing.”

“I’m sure it comes in handy with your job. But life has taught me there are colors, shades, variances, as well. I wanted Paul to see that.”

He laughed. “Maybe he will someday. In the meantime, I believe you have some samples for me. Horse Chestnut honey. Killing someone with honey! What a concept!”

“We don’t know yet if it was deliberate or an accident, do we?” She gave him the samples. “I collected these from various places. You’ll see the locations marked on the slides. I’m not sure how they’ll help you in this case.”

Dr. Ramsey set one of the slides in place on his microscope and stared into the lens. “They give us a source of reference, actually. You’re a respected botanist. I’ve read some of your work on botanical poisons. I think we can use you as an expert witness on this case. Are you up for that?”

Mai looked at her, too, encouraging her with her large, almond-shaped brown eyes. Peggy wasn’t sure what to say. Not that she believed her testimony about the honey would have any impact on Beth, since her friend wouldn’t be on trial. But what if she was wrong? What if she couldn’t help Beth prove her innocence? Would she want to face her across a courtroom giving evidence for the prosecution?

“I didn’t realize it would be such a difficult decision.” Ramsey continued to look at the sample under the microscope. “Surely you’ve done it before?”

“Not really.” Peggy looked away from Mai. “I’ve answered some questions about poison for one or two police departments, but I’ve never testified in court.”

Ramsey looked up and focused on her. “Let’s say I won’t call you unless it’s necessary. Would that work?”

“I suppose so. It’s not that I don’t want to help. It’s just that—”

“Yes, I know. Your friend.” Ramsey put another slide on the microscope. “I know about your personal involvement in the case. But sometimes, we have to put our personal feelings aside in the pursuit of justice. As the widow of a police detective killed on the streets, you must agree.”

She took a deep breath. From the corner of her eye, she could see Mai. She was pleading with her eyes not to make a scene. She was afraid it was too late for that. No wonder the poor girl didn’t like the ME. He was an obnoxious man! “I don’t think I can be your expert witness in this, Dr. Ramsey. I wouldn’t be pursuing justice if it didn’t involve my personal feelings and my friend. I don’t believe she killed her husband. I’m sure she’ll be exonerated. And that has nothing to do with my husband’s death, though I appreciate your tact in reminding me.”

Ramsey swiveled back to her, taking off his glasses to look at her. “The lieutenant may feel differently. I contacted Elmwood Farms this morning. There haven’t been any other cases of poisoned honey reported to them. It looks like this is the only one.”