Hard Deduction #17
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The Case
Dr. Pham collapsed at a dinner party after drinking a cocktail. Toxicology confirms a non-lethal but harmful compound in her gin and tonic. Five people were at the table: Lena (pharmacist), Nathan (teacher), Reiko (chef), Kenji (bartender friend who joined late), and Dr. Pham herself. Case file HARD-017.
Who tampered with Dr. Pham's drink?
Evidence (7)
#1Dr. Pham collapsed after her second gin and tonic. The first drink was fine.
#2Between the first and second rounds, only Lena left the table — she went to the restroom, which required passing by the bar.
#3Nathan and Reiko stayed seated the entire evening. Table CCTV confirms this.
#4Kenji was at the bar during the first round but had been seated before anyone ordered the second round.
#5Dr. Pham has anosmia — she can't smell anything, including bitter or chemical odors.
#6Lena mentioned in conversation last month that certain compounds dissolve invisibly in tonic water.
#7Lena knew about Dr. Pham's anosmia from a medical discussion they had at a previous dinner.