Chapter 5: The Web Unravels
Evelyn collapsed onto the bottom step of the staircase, her facade breaking into jagged pieces. She covered her face with her hands, letting out a ragged sob.
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this," Evelyn whimpered. "I was trapped, Sarah. I stole the jewelry pieces over a six-month period to pay off an offshore debt. The firm brought in external auditors this week. I knew I was caught. I panicked and hid the final, most valuable piece—the bracelet—in a hollowed-out birdhouse in our front yard until I could flee the country."
"What does that have to do with Lily?" Sarah demanded, her fists clenched.
"Lily was playing near the hedges that evening," Evelyn cried. "She saw me hide it. After I went inside, she went to the birdhouse and took the bracelet. She thought it was a princess toy. When I came out later to retrieve it, I saw her wearing it. I tried to grab her, but she got scared and ran. She tripped over the curb, Sarah! She hit her head on the concrete and went completely limp. I thought she was dead."
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Sarah felt a sick wave of nausea wash over her. "So instead of calling an ambulance, you drugged her to make sure she wouldn't wake up, put her in a trash bag, and dumped her like garbage?"
"I was trying to buy time!" Evelyn shrieked. "If the police found her with the stolen bracelet, it would link me to the embezzlement and a murder. I wanted the evidence buried in the landfill. I didn't know the trash truck would come so early!"
