Chapter 14 - The Package
August felt cold all the way through.
"When did your mother get that package?"
"Before she got really sick."
"How long before?"
Elsie counted on her fingers.
"Maybe two weeks."
Victoria stood. "This is absurd."
Mason moved between her and the door.
"Sit."
Then she sat.
Elsie described a white padded envelope. No return address. Caroline opened it at the kitchen table. Inside was a small bottle and a note saying the medicine came from a specialist Victoria trusted.
"Did your mom take it?"
"At first."
"What happened?"
"She got dizzy. Then she stopped."
August forced himself to stay calm.
"Do you know where the bottle is?"
Elsie nodded.
"In my backpack."
Mason found it wrapped inside a sock.
But the pills inside did not match the imprint.
Nora called a toxicologist.
Victoria said nothing.
August stared at his wife.
"You sent these?"
"No."
"Elsie saw your handwriting."
"She's seven."
"Caroline kept the note."
Nora held up a folded card from the backpack.
Victoria's handwriting was unmistakable.
For your heart. Please take care of yourself. V.
Victoria's shoulders dropped.
"It's not what you think."
August almost shouted.
"Then tell me what to think."
"I sent vitamins."
Mason said, "Someone switched them."
Victoria looked at him.
Then at August.
"Marcus."
"Marcus had access to everything," she said quickly. "He handled the clinic. He handled Caroline's files. He knew about the guardianship."
"You told us you knew nothing about the guardianship."
Victoria realized she had trapped herself again.
Nora leaned forward.
"Why was Marcus handling Caroline's clinic?"
Victoria stayed silent.
August said, "Because you were monitoring her."
No answer.
The pills contained the same toxin found in Marcus's blood.
Mason's expression changed.
"If Marcus poisoned Caroline, who poisoned Marcus?"
Elsie screamed.
May you like
A window shattered upstairs.
And from the darkness came the unmistakable sound of someone running.
