Chapter 4 - The Woman at the Gate

Evelyn arrived at the hospital carrying white roses and outrage.

"This is insane," she said the moment she entered. "Serena has always been trouble. I told you that girl was too involved in your life."

Madeline watched her place the flowers on a table.

"You were at my house yesterday."

Evelyn's hand stopped.

Preston looked at his mother.

"Who told you that?"

"A camera."

Evelyn smiled without warmth. "I dropped off documents. I never came inside."

"Then why did you leave through the service gate after I collapsed?"

The smile disappeared.

Preston stepped between them. "Maddie, this isn't helping."

"Neither is everyone lying to me."

Evelyn's eyes hardened. "You are still under the influence of drugs. Think carefully before you accuse your family of anything."

Family.

The word landed like a threat.

That afternoon Madeline was discharged against Preston's wishes. She refused to go home with him. Ruiz arranged for an officer to drive her and Poppy to her older brother Daniel's apartment across town.

Preston stood outside the hospital entrance as rain darkened his suit.

"You're taking my daughter?" he asked.

"She's staying with me."

"You're not well."

"Then call a judge."

His expression changed again.

"Maybe I will."

At Daniel's apartment, Poppy finally ate half a grilled cheese sandwich and fell asleep on the couch with her rabbit.

Madeline sat at the kitchen table staring at her phone.

Twenty-three missed calls from Preston.

Six from Evelyn.

None from Serena.

She opened their old message thread.

Serena's last text had arrived at 2:14 p.m., ninety minutes before the poisoning.

Don't drink anything Preston gives you tonight. Please trust me.

Madeline read it twice.

Then a new message appeared from an unknown number.

MADDIE, I'M SORRY. I DID WHAT HE ASKED UNTIL I UNDERSTOOD WHY. I DIDN'T TRY TO KILL YOU.

A second message followed.

ASK PRESTON ABOUT THE RED ROOM AT THE LAKE HOUSE.

Then a third.

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HE KNOWS POPPY SAW HIM.