For the first time that day, Morgan felt a solid shape emerge from her fear. A sketch. A witness. A timeline. Not a dream or a stranger’s riddle.
Then Evelyn said one more thing.
“Please don’t go home tonight. He asked the shopkeeper whether a person could be persuaded to sign papers while ill.”
PART 4 — THE COTTAGE PAPERS
Priya had an empty guest room. Morgan accepted it after a brief argument with herself about being a burden.
She sent Julian a simple text: I need some space. I’m staying with a friend. I’m safe. We’ll talk later.
He responded in less than a minute.
Where is the necklace?
Not Are you okay? Not What happened? Just the necklace.
Morgan did not answer. He called six times, then sent a message accusing her of humiliating him. When she still did not respond, he changed tactics.
I wanted to do something nice for you. You always ruin everything.
