Chapter 8 - THE ANNIVERSARY THAT COULD HAVE ENDED IN DEATH
The toxicology report confirmed Cassandra’s warning.
The tablets contained a powerful sedative.
One tablet could cause unconsciousness.
Two tablets combined with alcohol could cause respiratory failure.
Julian carried two.
If I had arrived home at the expected time, he could have placed them in my anniversary wine.
I imagined the scene he might have created.
A stressed business owner.
An emotional confrontation.
Too much wine.
A tragic accidental overdose.
Then Julian would become the grieving husband.
Beatrice would control half the house.
Peter would process the company sale.
Dr. Reed would explain my death.
Mia could be dismissed or rewarded depending on how much she knew.
Rachel contacted the district attorney.
The investigation changed from fraud to attempted murder.
Police searched Julian’s apartment.
He had moved out of the estate after his release.
They found no pills.
No computers.
No incriminating files.
Someone had warned him.
Peter claimed attorney-client privilege.
Beatrice claimed the tablets belonged to Dr. Reed.
Dr. Reed disappeared before officers reached his clinic.
His car was found at Los Angeles International Airport.
He had not boarded a flight.
Cassandra stopped answering calls.
When police returned to her home, it was empty.
Noah’s toys remained inside.
The family had vanished.
I called Mia.
“Where would Julian send Cassandra?”
She hesitated.
“There is a cabin near Lake Tahoe.”
“Beatrice’s cousin owns it.”
Police reached the cabin the next morning.
Cassandra and Noah were there.
Dr. Reed was not.
Cassandra had not fled voluntarily.
Julian had sent a man to warn her that I intended to take Noah.
He told her I would use my money to destroy her.
That was how he controlled everyone.
He created fear.
Then he offered himself as protection.
Cassandra agreed to testify.
Mia provided the second half of the guesthouse password.
Marcus accessed the hidden server.
The videos showed Beatrice, Julian, Peter, and Dr. Reed discussing the forged sale.
One recording captured Julian placing pills into a small packet.
Beatrice watched him.
“You only need her unconscious long enough to sign.”
Julian answered.
“What if she fights?”
“Then Malcolm said the second dose solves the problem.”
Beatrice did not ask what “solves” meant.
She simply nodded.
Another recording showed Peter asking what would happen if I died.
Julian replied.
“The company becomes easier.”
I watched the video twice.
Not because I doubted it.
Because some betrayals are so complete that the mind tries to reject them.
The man I had married had considered my death a business advantage.
Rachel placed one hand on my shoulder.
“You do not have to watch the rest tonight.”
“Yes, I do.”
The final recording showed Charles entering the guesthouse.
He confronted Beatrice.
“You are going too far.”
She laughed.
“You have spent thirty years benefiting from what I do.”
Charles lowered his voice.
“Drugging Harper is different.”
“Why?”
“Because she has been good to us.”
Beatrice leaned close.
“Good women are the easiest to use.”
Charles left without reporting them.
He had known the medical plan existed.
He did nothing.
That evening, he called me.
“I want to help.”
“You had ten years.”
“I was afraid of Beatrice.”
“So was everyone.”
“She controls the family.”
“No.”
I looked toward the evidence files.
“She controlled people who chose comfort over conscience.”
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Charles offered to testify.
Before he could meet investigators, his car exploded in his garage.
