My mother’s head snapped toward me.

“Criminal matter?

What is she talking about?”

I lifted the police receipt off the mantel.

“The lab tested what was in Walt’s medicine bottle,” I said, looking at her steadily.

“It came back nearly all tap water.

The police have opened an investigation — elder neglect, medical neglect, and tampering with a controlled substance.”

Her mouth opened and shut and made no sound.