Chapter 7: The Trap Snaps**
""They'll believe Dr. Reed's toxicology lab,"" David replied, pulling out his phone to display the digital readout Marcus had just emailed him. ""Digoxin, Eleanor. We tested the pills from your locked vanity. We know what you did to Sarah.""
For the first time, Eleanor's eyes flickered with genuine shock. The porcelain mask fractured, revealing the calculating sociopath beneath. But the panic lasted only a fraction of a second.
""A locked box in your house?"" Eleanor said smoothly, crossing her arms. ""Any decent defense attorney will say you planted those pills to frame me after I threatened to report your erratic behavior to Child Protective Services. In fact, I called them twenty minutes ago.""
David froze. ""You did what?""
As if on cue, the distant wail of a siren echoed from the main road.
""I told the dispatcher that you had become violent, breaking dishes, screaming at Emma, and threatening to harm yourself,"" Eleanor whispered, leaning in close so only he could hear. ""I told them I feared for my granddaughter's life. Look at the sink, David. Broken ceramic everywhere. You're giving them the exact crime scene I described.""
David looked at the shattered mug in the sink, then at the lingering fragments of the cereal bowl on the kitchen counter that hadn't yet been discarded. Eleanor had calculated this down to the minute.
""You're a monster,"" David breathed.
""I am a survivor,"" Eleanor countered coldly. ""And you are just an obstacle.""
The front door chimed loudly, followed by heavy pounding.
May you like
""Sheriff's Department! Open up!""
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