"The medical examiner said it's platinum," Linhart explained."Coating the inside of her throat, her trachea, her bronchial tubes.Everything that allows air to pass into the lungs.She essentially suffocated."
"How?"Vic asked.
"That's where it gets technical."Linhart pulled out her phone and consulted her notes."The ME said it's electroplating—a term I only just learned this morning.Someone used an electric current to deposit platinum onto the tissue.It's a process used in manufacturing, jewelry-making, that kind of thing."
Miles moved to the side of the bed, studying Rothschild's face more carefully.The platinum was thorough, complete.This wasn't a sloppy job.Whoever had done this had taken their time.
"Walk me through the timeline," he said.
"Her assistant arrived at eight this morning.They always had breakfast together on Thursdays.When Rothschild didn't answer, she used her key.Found her like this and called 911 immediately."
"Time of death?"Vic asked.
"The ME estimates between midnight and three AM.We'll know more after the autopsy."
Miles looked around the bedroom.He could see no signs of struggle.The sheets weren't disturbed beyond what you'd expect from someone sleeping.A glass of water sat on the nightstand, undisturbed.
"She was sedated," he said.
Linhart nodded."The ME thinks so, too.We're running a full toxicology panel as soon as the body gets to the morgue."
"Tell me about the electroplating process," Vic said, looking at Miles.
He turned away from the body, organizing his thoughts."Electroplating uses an electric current to reduce metal cations from a solution and coat an object with a thin layer of metal.In jewelry making, it's how you get that smooth, even finish on pieces.You need the metal solution, an electrical source, and the object you're plating."
"But this is tissue," Vic said."Living tissue."
"Wasliving," Miles corrected."And that's what makes this so sophisticated.You'd need to understand the chemistry, the electrical engineering, and how to apply it to organic material.This isn't something you learn from a YouTube video."
He walked slowly around the bed, taking in every detail."You'd need to sedate her, position her, then introduce the platinum solution into her airways while applying the current.It would take time.Precision.Complete control of the situation."
"How long?"Linhart asked.
"I'm not certain.An hour at minimum, possibly more depending on the thickness of the plating and the method used.This isn’t exactly typical."
Vic was looking at the nightstand."No signs of forced entry?"
"None," Linhart confirmed."Building security shows no unauthorized access.Either she let him in, or he had a key."
"Or he bypassed security entirely," Miles said."We'll need to review all the footage."
He moved away from the bed, studying the rest of the room.A dresser with a jewelry box sitting on top, its lid open.A closet door ajar.A sitting area by the windows with two chairs and a small table.
"Show me the jewelry," he said.
Linhart led them to the dresser.The jewelry box was large, made of dark wood with multiple drawers and compartments.But it was what lay on the dresser surface that caught Miles's attention.He'd seen it in the photos, but it seemed almost sinister and meant as a warning now that he was standing right in front of it.
Six pieces of platinum jewelry had been arranged in a careful line.A necklace.Two bracelets.A pair of earrings.A ring with a sizable stone.
"He laid these out on purpose," Miles said.
"The assistant confirmed they're all Rothschild's pieces," Linhart said."She recognized them.But they're normally kept in the box."
Miles leaned closer without touching anything.Each piece caught the light, the platinum gleaming with that distinctive white-silver color that distinguished it from regular silver.“It’s a statement," he said."Like the manifesto the other disciples have left behind…just visual instead of written."
"What's he saying?"Vic asked.
Miles studied the arrangement."That's what we need to figure out.But platinum jewelry is expensive.Exclusive.It says something about status, wealth, luxury."