I reached into my robe pocket, unlocked my smartphone, and opened the message thread.

Without a word, I slid the glowing screen across the polished mahogany.

Both officers leaned in. They read the brutal fifteen-word text. They stared at the vibrant, mocking photograph of Ethan and Rachel on the beach, raising their champagne glasses.

Officer Ruiz let out a long, slow exhale, his cheeks flushing with secondhand embarrassment. “He actually sent you this? At two in the morning?” “He did.”

Daniels gently pushed the phone back to me. His professional mask slipped, revealing a look of profound sympathy. “I suddenly have a crystal-clear understanding of why the locks were changed.”

“I assumed the context might be helpful.” “Mr. Bennett conveniently omitted this part from his complaint,” Daniels muttered. He glanced around the room.