“He could gain influence over your shares.”
I covered my mouth.
The river had not been the first attempt.
It was the final one.
For three years, Garrett had been weakening me.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Then I remembered every night he had handed me milk.
“You work too hard.”
“Drink this.”
“It’ll help you sleep.”
I ran to the sink.
I vomited.
Tobias came near me.
I held up a hand.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
Afterward, I sat on the floor.
I felt contaminated.
Violated in a way I could not explain.
Murder was simple compared to this.
Murder was one moment.
This had been every night.
Every kiss afterward.
Every morning I woke up confused.
Every time Garrett told me I was forgetful.
He had poisoned my trust first.
Then my body.
Samuel gave me water.
I asked one question.
“Can it be proven?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“We collected residue.”
“From where?”
“Your kitchen.”
“You broke into my house?”
“Tobias had access.”
I looked at him.
Of course he did.
Samuel continued.
“We also have samples from the bottle Garrett stored in his office.”
“How did you get those?”
“Later.”
I almost laughed.
Everything was later.
Everything was hidden.
“What happens now?”
Samuel sat across from me.
