Chapter 6 - A Family Reputation
By sunrise, Blackwood Estate was full of police, security contractors, and whispers.
The deputy took Elena's statement twice. On the third pass, he asked whether she had a history of anxiety.
"Why does that matter?"
"We're trying to understand the full situation."
"Someone knocked out my doctor and stole evidence."
"Dr. Chen says she was struck from behind. She didn't see who did it."
Elena looked at Marcus. "Tell him about the pills."
Marcus did, but the deputy's expression barely changed.
Then Victoria arrived.
She came through the front doors wearing a cream coat, no makeup, tears already shining in her eyes.
"My God. Elena."
Elena backed away.
"Don't come near me."
Victoria stopped with perfect wounded grace. "Marcus called. He said you were frightened."
"You know exactly what happened."
"I was in Boston. There are hotel records, dinner receipts, cameras. Ask anyone."
"Your dress was here."
Victoria frowned. "What dress?"
Marcus answered. "The red velvet one."
Her face changed just enough for Elena to catch it.
"That dress was stolen three weeks ago," Victoria said.
"You never reported it," Elena replied.
"Why would I report a missing dress to police?"
The deputy shifted his weight.
Victoria turned to him. "Officer, my daughter-in-law has been under extraordinary pressure. Her mother had severe postpartum psychosis after Elena was born."
Elena felt the room tilt.
"How do you know that?"
Victoria looked almost apologetic. "You told me months ago."
"No, I didn't."
Marcus's eyes moved between them.
Victoria softened her voice. "Sweetheart, you did. In the garden. You cried."
Elena searched her memory and found nothing but static.
The deputy wrote something down.
Rage surged through her. "This is what you wanted."
"I want you safe."
"You want me discredited."
Victoria's eyes flicked to Marcus. "Please get her away from the stairs."
Elena turned.
A thin folder lay open on the foyer table. Medical records. Her name on top.
She grabbed it.
The first page was a psychiatric intake form dated two weeks earlier.
Patient: Elena Blackwood.
Risk: self-harm.
Recommended: involuntary observation.
At the bottom was a digital signature.
Marcus Blackwood.
May you like
Elena looked at her husband.
"What did you sign?
