Chapter 4: The Warning From My Sister
I read Emily's message three times.
*Don't listen to Daniel. Whatever he tells you, don't go to the police. I need you to trust me.*
Then came the second message.
*And whatever you do, don't open Mom's old safe.*
I looked up at Daniel.
“Why would my sister tell me not to open my mother's safe?””
Daniel glanced at the photograph in my hand.
“Because she knows what's inside.””
Marcus moved toward me.
“Lauren, give me your phone.””
I slipped it into my pocket.
“No.””
“I'm your husband.””
“Then you should know better than to ask me to trust you right now.””
His jaw tightened.
For a second, neither of us moved.
Then Vanessa spoke.
“Marcus, maybe we should just tell her.””
He turned toward her so sharply that she stumbled backward.
“Not another word.””
Daniel shook his head.
“That's the problem with people who build their lives around secrets. Eventually, they forget which lies they've told to whom.””
Marcus grabbed the envelope.
Daniel caught his wrist.
“Don't.””
“Get your hands off me!””
I stepped away from both of them and reached for the phone on the kitchen counter.
“I want the police here.””
Marcus's expression changed.
“Lauren, don't be stupid.””
That was all it took.
I called emergency services.
Within minutes, two officers arrived. One of them, Officer Reed, spoke to me while his partner separated Marcus and Vanessa.
I showed him the insurance application, the medical petition, the forged signatures, and the photograph of Emily.
He studied each document without interrupting.
“Mrs. Mitchell, do you believe someone has been giving you medication without your knowledge?””
I swallowed.
“I don't know. My husband makes my tea every night. I've been having unexplained dizziness and memory problems for months.””
“Have you consumed anything prepared by him tonight?””
“No.””
He nodded.
“That's good. We'd like you to get examined at a hospital. We'll also need to document what you've told us.””
Marcus immediately stepped forward.
“Officer, she's been under a lot of stress. She has a history of anxiety. She's not thinking clearly.””
I turned toward him.
“That's exactly what you've been telling everyone, isn't it?””
Officer Reed raised a hand.
“Sir, please step back.””
Marcus ignored him.
“Lauren, remember what happened last time you stopped taking your supplements? Remember how sick you got?””
I stared at him.
“I never knew what was in those supplements.””
His face went blank.
Daniel quietly spoke up.
“Officer, there's a medical statement in that envelope bearing Dr. Alan Pierce's signature. The clinic has already disputed its authenticity.””
Reed looked at his partner.
“Photograph everything. We'll need to secure the documents and identify the original records.””
Vanessa suddenly began sobbing.
“I didn't know he was going to take things this far!””
Daniel looked at her.
“You knew enough to wear another woman's anniversary bracelet.””
She covered her face.
But I was no longer interested in their marriage.
I wanted to know what had been happening inside mine.
At the hospital, a physician named Dr. Patel examined me and ordered several tests.
She listened carefully as I described the headaches, the dizziness, and the unusual exhaustion.
“When did these symptoms begin?”” she asked.
“About six months ago.””
“Have you started any new medications or supplements?””
I shook my head.
“My husband introduced a herbal tea. He said it helped me sleep.””
Dr. Patel put down her clipboard.
“Have you brought any of the products with you?””
“No, but the police are securing things at my house.””
“Good. We'll document your symptoms and arrange appropriate testing. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but unexplained changes in your memory and balance deserve proper investigation.””
I stared at the white blanket covering my legs.
“Could someone have been making me sick?””
Dr. Patel didn't give me a comforting lie.
“It's possible, but we need evidence before we can say that.””
A few minutes later, Detective Rebecca Maddox entered the room.
She was in her forties, with short dark hair and a notebook tucked beneath one arm.
“Mrs. Mitchell, I've reviewed the preliminary report. I need to ask you about Sunday.””
My stomach tightened.
“What happens on Sunday?””
“That is what we're trying to establish. Your husband has been interviewed, but he hasn't given us a consistent explanation for the documents.””
“Did he say anything about my sister?””
Detective Maddox opened her notebook.
“He claimed your sister helped organize a family medical consultation. He insists the insurance application was part of ordinary financial planning.””
I almost laughed.
“Ordinary financial planning doesn't make your mistress the beneficiary of your wife's life insurance.””
The detective nodded.
“I agree that the circumstances are concerning.””
She turned a page.
“There's another issue. The insurance application was submitted electronically, and the company received additional medical information that appears to have originated from your doctor's office.””
“Can you prove who sent it?””
“Not yet. But we're investigating.””
I closed my eyes.
For six months, I'd trusted Marcus to take me to appointments, fill my prescriptions, and prepare my meals.
He'd been standing beside me every time I told a doctor that I felt strange.
What if he'd been listening to every word so he could use it against me?
Detective Maddox interrupted my thoughts.
“There's something else. Your sister has been trying to reach you.””
I opened my eyes.
“What did she say?””
“She asked whether you were still at the hospital. When we asked why, she ended the call.””
My phone vibrated.
Another message.
This time, it was a photograph.
It showed the front entrance of my house.
The message beneath it contained only six words.
*He's already looking for the safe.*
I sat upright.
“Detective, we need to go back.””
Maddox studied the screen.
“Who is that message from?””
“Emily.””
“Do you believe she's helping your husband?””
I looked at my sister's name.
“I don't know anymore.””
The detective stood.
“We'll arrange an escort. You're not going anywhere alone.””
Then my phone rang.
It was Emily.
I answered before I could change my mind.
“Emily, what have you done?””
Her breathing was uneven.
“Lauren, listen carefully. Marcus knows you have the papers.””
“How?””
“I don't know. But he's coming for them.””
“What happens Sunday?””
There was a long silence.
Then my sister whispered something that made my blood run cold.
“Sunday isn't about the house anymore. It's about making sure you never get to tell anyone what happened.””
May you like
The call disconnected.
And Detective Maddox, who had been listening beside my bed, slowly reached for her radio.
