That night, my mother-in-law hid a rattlesnake under my pillow after discovering my $25 million life insurance policy. She smiled at me and said, “Go get some rest, I made your bed.” I didn’t argue. I took a blanket and gave the bedroom to my husband. Hours later, her desperate scream woke up the entire house… but the real secret was only beginning to come out.

She stopped.

“I’m not.”

The officer approached.

“Mr. Finch?”

“Yes.”

“We need to ask everyone a few questions.”

Edgar nodded.

“Of course.”

Then he looked at me.

“Why are you sleeping downstairs?”

My blood chilled.

I had not told him.

“I wasn’t.”

“What?”

“You said why are you sleeping downstairs.”

He blinked.

“Mom texted me.”

There it was.

He pulled out his phone.

I saw the message.

Nora says she is sleeping downstairs tonight.

Please come home.

That was all.

No mention of snake.

No explanation.

Just.

Please come home.

Kristina had been panicking.

She wanted Edgar home before he climbed into the bed.

Maybe that meant he knew nothing.

Maybe.

The officer interviewed us separately.

I told the full truth this time.

Everything I had seen.

Everything Kristina said.

Twenty-five million.

Heather.

The child.

The plan.

The officer’s expression became very serious.

He asked.

“Do you have proof of the insurance amount?”

“Yes.”

“Proof she knew?”

“She saw the documents.”

“Proof of her statement?”

“No.”

“Any cameras?”

“No indoor cameras.”

He nodded.

Then.

“Do you know a Heather Perkinson?”

“No.”

“Your husband?”