Chapter 7 - The SafeThe police obtained a warrant.
We entered Evelyn's house the next morning.
She wasn't there.
The safe was hidden behind a painting.
Inside were documents.
Cash.
A second phone.
And a folder marked with Lily's name.
My hands trembled.
Inside were copies of insurance applications.
Bank transfers.
Medical records.
And photographs of Lily.
Some were taken without her knowledge.
The detective examined them.
Then he found a small envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
The final payment will be made after Claire's death.
I felt dizzy.
The detective opened the second phone.
Messages appeared.
The last conversation was between Evelyn and Dr. Crane.
Evelyn: Did you make sure Lily's brakes were compromised?
Crane: Yes.
Evelyn: And Claire?
Crane: Not yet.
Evelyn: She cannot survive long enough to change the beneficiary.
The detective stared at the screen.
“That's enough.”
But I wasn't satisfied.
“Where is Richard?”
We found him at his office.
Police arrested him before he could leave.
He broke down immediately.
“I didn't kill Lily.”
The detective said:
“Then tell us who did.”
Richard looked at me.
His face was covered with tears.
“My mother.”
Silence.
“I found out after Lily died.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because she threatened you.”
I stared at him.
“She said if I told you, you'd be next.”
“You let me bury my daughter without telling me?”
“I was scared.”
“You should have been brave.”
He lowered his head.
Then he confessed.
Evelyn had manipulated everything.
She had pressured Dr. Crane.
She had forged Lily's insurance documents.
She had arranged the brake sabotage.
Richard had helped hide the financial trail.
He hadn't physically killed Lily.
But he had known enough to stop it.
And he hadn't.
The police took him away.
As he passed me, he whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
I didn't answer.
There was nothing left to say.
Evelyn was arrested that evening.
Dr. Crane was arrested the following morning.
For the first time since Lily died, I could breathe.
But justice was not yet finished.
May you like
Because there was one final piece of evidence.
Lily's last message.
