Adeline turned back toward the hallway. She looked down at the small glass vial in her hand, holding the clear heart tonic up to the light. A dark, wicked smile spread across her red lips.
She walked a few steps down the corridor toward a high marble pedestal standing near a tall window. Resting on top of the pedestal was a large, decorative ceramic flower pot filled with rich soil and a flourishing red fern.
Adeline unstoppered the small glass vial. Without a single moment of hesitation or regret, she turned the vial upside down and poured all of its contents directly into the dry dirt of the flower pot.
The clear liquid soaked quickly into the soil, disappearing completely without leaving a trace.
Adeline turned the empty bottle right-side up, wiped the rim with her silk handkerchief, and tossed the empty glass container into a small waste basket hiding in the corner of the corridor.
