Chapter 4 - The Woman at the Pharmacy
Lillian met Detective Nora Bell by accident.
At least, Caleb believed it was an accident.
After another argument, Lillian went to a pharmacy to purchase makeup for a bruise on her wrist. Caleb had grabbed her when she refused to sign a new insurance form. He released her only when a gardener appeared outside the window.
At the pharmacy counter, a woman with kind eyes noticed Lillian struggling to hold her purse.
“Are you safe at home?” the woman asked quietly.
Lillian nearly gave the usual answer.
Yes.
Instead, she whispered, “Not yet.”
The woman introduced herself as Nora Bell, a detective with the county police department. She gave Lillian a card hidden inside the pharmacy receipt and told her to memorize the number.
Rebecca later confirmed that Nora could be trusted.
For three months, Lillian worked with both women.
The evidence grew.
Caleb had forged signatures, moved money, and used Lillian’s identity to secure loans. He had also installed tracking software on her phone and bribed an employee to delete company records.
But the strongest evidence came from Caleb himself.
Rebecca gave Lillian a small recording device concealed inside a silver brooch. Lillian wore it during private conversations.
On one recording, Caleb admitted forging her name.
On another, he threatened to tell police she had stolen from the company if she tried to leave.
“No one will believe the baker’s daughter over the Hart family,” he said.
Evelyn’s voice could also be heard.
“Do what he says, Lillian. A scandal would ruin all of us.”
Detective Bell wanted to intervene immediately, but Lillian asked for time.
Caleb had hidden several original documents. Without them, his attorneys might argue that the recordings were misunderstood or incomplete.
Lillian needed to find the safe where he kept them.
She knew it was somewhere inside Hartwood Manor.
She also knew Caleb was becoming suspicious.
He began checking her clothes, reading her messages, and asking servants where she went.
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Every day became more dangerous.
Yet every day brought her closer to the truth.
