Chapter 6 - The Receipt
The police found no fingerprint that immediately identified the person who had left the envelope.
But the photograph gave them a location and a date.
That mattered.
On Tuesday, I learned through Rebecca that detectives had spoken with employees at the cosmetics store.
A cashier remembered Kate because she had asked for a high-coverage product suitable for concealing discoloration.
I sat at Rebecca's conference table as she explained what was confirmed and what remained hearsay.
"Buying concealer isn't proof of harming anyone," she reminded me.
"I know."
"But the purchase may help establish that the substance on Paige's leg wasn't put there in your apartment."
My relief lasted less than a minute.
My phone buzzed with a message from my mother.
Kate says you'll ruin Paige's future if you keep pushing this.
I read the message aloud.
Rebecca's expression tightened.
"Save it."
I had saved so many things that week I began to feel like my own life was becoming a case file.
That evening, my mother arrived uninvited.
I stood behind the screen door instead of inviting her inside.
"Kate's terrified," she said.
"Paige is the one who was hurt."
"Your sister might lose her daughter."
"Then she needs to tell the truth."
My mother leaned close.
"A decent sister would protect her family."
I felt the old pressure to surrender.
Then I pictured the bruise under the makeup.
"Paige is my family," I answered.
My mother recoiled as though I'd insulted her.
"You're going to regret this."
After she left, I found a voicemail from an unfamiliar number.
A woman spoke so quietly I had to replay it twice.
"Ally, this is Linda. I need to talk to you."
Her voice shook.
"Don't call me back on this number."
A muffled sound interrupted her.
Then she whispered something that turned my hands cold.
"The concealer wasn't Kate's idea."
May you like
The message ended.
