death. The ME also found two injection sites where she received epinephrine. The nurse who treated her denies giving her morphine or more than one injection of epi.”
Inman scowled. “Then she’s lying.”
“I don’t think so,” Liam answered. “Do you know what epinephrine does to the body, Mr. Inman?”
He shrugged. “I know it’s used for people with allergies.”
“Right. It’s also given when a person’s heart stops. It’s a stimulant which jump-starts the heart. But given to a patient who doesn’t need it, it can trigger a heart attack.”
Inman ran a hand over his eyes. “You’re saying the nurse killed her with epinephrine?”
Liam shook his head. “No, I think someone else injected her, maybe before she went to the hospital. That shot triggered her to go into cardiac arrest.”
Inman shook his head again, then cursed. “No... I did not kill Gloria.” He balled his hands into fists. “I didn’t. You have to believe me.”
The trouble was, Liam was starting to.
But if Inman hadn’t injected his wife with drugs, who had?
Chapter Nineteen
“Mr. Inman,” Jacob cut in. “We’re aware that you and the woman you had an affair with work for a pharmaceutical company where you have access to a variety of drugs. Are you sure you didn’t supply your wife with opioids?”
Inman’s eyes flared with bitterness. “I’m sure. Besides, our samples are carefully monitored to prevent anyone from skimming them from the company. There’s no way I could have done that without getting caught and losing my job.” His breath hitched. “And if I’d thought my wife had a problem, I would have insisted she get help, not feed her habit.”
“Then we won’t find any opioids at your house?” Jacob asked.
Confusion marred Inman’s expression. “I don’t think so. But if you’re saying Gloria abused drugs, and I didn’t have a clue, it’s possible she had a hidden stash.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“What about epinephrine? Do you have access to it through your company?”
Inman shook his head. “Everything the company is doing is experimental. Drugs to treat cancer patients and...” His voice faded.
“And what else?” Liam asked.
Inman’s face paled. “And Alzheimer’s.”
“Which would be used in an assisted-living and nursing facility,” Liam pointed out.
Inman dropped his head forward. “I didn’t drug Gloria or anyone else. I swear to God I didn’t.”
If he was innocent, Liam might feel sorry for the guy. But he couldn’t discount him as a suspect yet.
“If you think of anything else that might be helpful, let me know.” Jacob gestured for him to stand. “Meanwhile, you’re gonna be with us a little while longer.”
Inman looked panicked. “You have to find the truth. Someone may be setting me up.”
Liam gave him a blank look. “That’s exactly what we think happened with Nurse Weiss.”
Inman shuffled beside Jacob, protesting his innocence as Jacob led him back to his cell.
“What next?” Jacob asked.
“Search his house. I’m going to drive Peyton to the hospital to see her mother. And I intend to have a chat with Dr. Butler.”
The man had either protected Peyton regarding Mrs. Inman’s death, or he was the one who’d framed her to take the fall if police investigated.
He texted Bennett and asked him to find everything he could on the doctor.
While you’re at it, research the director of Golden Gardens.
If something was wrong at the facility, Director Jameson might know more than he was saying.
* * *
PEYTON CHEWED HER FINGERNAIL as Liam drove to the hospital. As a little girl, she’d been a nail biter. Her mother had tried everything to break the habit, but it hadn’t worked. After college, she’d begun painting her nails because she found if they were polished, she tended not to chew on them.
She looked down and noted the polish was in shambles now, and she’d nearly chewed her thumbnail to the quick.
“Inman denies everything, even knowing that his wife took opioids,” Liam said as he rounded a curve. “In light of this new information, I want to question Dr. Butler again and find out if he’s really your friend or the enemy.”
Peyton’s mind raced to assimilate everything they’d learned. She felt as if they were on a Tilt-A-Whirl where everything kept shifting and they were spinning in circles. She wanted to get off and have her feet on solid ground, but the Tilt-A-Whirl was gaining momentum instead of slowing.
“I’m going to review my mother’s medical chart,” she told Liam. “The fact that she hadn’t regained consciousness worries me.” She picked at a cuticle. “Typically, I trust hospital