Helen wanted me to go to the police immediately. I understood her reasoning, but I was terrified of making an accusation I couldn’t support.
I also feared that if Daniel realized I was investigating him, he might do something before I could get help.
That afternoon, I contacted the doctor’s office and requested an urgent appointment.
I didn’t mention the laboratory over the phone.
I went to a licensed medical laboratory for advice about how to arrange appropriate toxicology testing and what samples could reliably establish. They explained that a drink sample alone might not identify everything I needed to know, and that my symptoms required medical assessment.
The next evening, Daniel prepared my tea again.
I waited until he went upstairs to change.
Then I carefully placed the untouched cup in a clean, sealed container, following the laboratory’s instructions.
I wrote down the date and time.
I did not drink it.
