“They were indeed. The phenobarbital is probably what was making Charlotte foggy. Then they would introduce the Adderall every other day to give her a feeling of euphoria,” Charles noted. “They put her on a pharmacological roller coaster.”

Nikki chimed in, “That’s what they must have been doing while working in Mexico. Coming up with a concoction they could package and sell.”

Myra was on the verge of fury. “To think poor Charlotte was taking all that medication. It could have killed her!”

“That’s exactly what I think happened to Lorraine Thompson,” Annie, who had joined them in mid-conversation, surmised. “She probably got confused about her dosage and took too many of the phenobarbital pills at once. We need to get Maggie on this immediately.” Annie immediately sent a text to see how soon Maggie would arrive.

Coming through the door now, Maggie pinged back.

Soon after, the rest of the sisters arrived, and they all made a beeline to the war room.

They took their seats as Charles began. “We have the findings from the drug analysis. To say they were poisoning their patients would be an understatement. They carefully plotted the dosing to keep the patients off balance.” Charles went through the list of drugs, dosages, and frequency, explaining each drug’s purpose and the dangers and side effects. Everyone roared in disgust, and shouts of revulsion filled the room.

“Looks like that story about Lorraine Thompson and Marjorie Brewster just might have legs, after all!” Maggie shouted. “Annie, I’ll get on both of them stat!”

“Good. Start with the Thompson alleged suicide. Charles received some intel on Corbett, and Sasha is tailing him now. Apparently, he is heading to Sag Harbor. Within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, we should have a good idea as to his routine, associates, and acquaintances. That should give you time to get in touch with the Thompson family and get out there,” Annie said to Maggie.

Maggie took copious notes, then opened her laptop and pulled up the folder with the file containing what she had already written on the story. “Good thing I save everything,” she said with glee.

“You’re not kidding,” Annie teased her.

“I’m not a hoarder,” Maggie whined. “It’s research!”

“Uh, I don’t think those People magazines you have piled on your chairs in the office count as research,” Annie kept chiding her.

“It’s pop culture,” Maggie halfheartedly protested.

“Culture, indeed.” Charles smirked. “Surely you jest.”

The sisters hooted with laughter. Maggie was always an easy target as the brunt of a joke.

Then the room quieted, and the group began to focus again.

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

London