Attorney Pendelton stepped forward, took a signed white court order out of his leather folio, and laid it flat on the nightstand.

“The probate judge signed an emergency search warrant twenty minutes ago based on Mr.

Winslow’s sworn affidavit,” Pendelton said.

Detective Miller unsnapped the heavy brass latches on the briefcase and folded the leather cover back.

In the lower compartment, tucked behind a stack of blank billing sheets, were six small glass ampoules wrapped in paper towels.

Every single one was empty, their tiny rubber stoppers pierced through the middle.

Detective Miller lifted one of the empty glass vials into the sunlight coming through the tall window.