Graham leaned back in his chair. Beyond the study windows, Lily chased fallen leaves across the garden while Nora watched from the steps. “How long before the police can act?”

“They want the substance itself and an unbroken chain of evidence. They also want to know whether Vanessa had help obtaining it.”

“So we give them everything.”

Graham planned a private dinner for Saturday night. He told Vanessa the engagement party had been too public and he wanted to celebrate quietly, just the two of them.

She agreed at once. Meanwhile, Dana replaced several cameras with independent devices Vanessa could not access. Dr. Kim arranged for Graham to wear a small monitor that could detect sudden changes in his balance and heart rate.

Detectives waited in an unmarked vehicle beyond the estate gates.