Chapter 7 - The Purple Lady
Vanessa used doxylamine.
For insomnia.
Prescription? OTC.
Finding tablets did not prove she drugged Emma.
But Emma’s blood? She wasn't found. Bottle residue.
Fingerprint on bottle:
Vanessa.
She admitted bringing juice to Emma.
Day 6.
Ethan had told Vanessa Emma was alive after forcing him? Wait Ethan had kept secret. When did Vanessa learn? She saw him entering corridor via security and followed next day.
She found Emma.
Emma told Vanessa she suspected Ethan’s digital token misuse.
Vanessa defended husband.
Argument.
Then Vanessa returned later with food and juice as peace offering.
“Did you put medication in it?”
“No.”
Could someone add later.
Then why Lily described Emma becoming sleepy after Vanessa brought cup?
Maybe Emma drank after Vanessa left.
Doxylamine could have been added before or after.
Vanessa looked increasingly compromised but not proven mover.
Then investigators searched medicine cabinets.
Same brand in Richard's room, Vanessa’s room, guest suite.
Common.
No direct.
Then security footage from dumbwaiter shaft recovered via old contractor camera? Maybe hidden camera Emma installed using battery. Emma had placed second camera in shaft.
Footage Day 8.
Emma enters hidden platform voluntarily carrying bag.
Someone speaks off-camera:
“Downstairs. Now.”
Emma:
“Not until Lily is asleep.”
Voice female.
Audio distorted.
Then Emma steps onto platform.
She is awake.
Not dragged.
Camera captures sleeve of other person:
burgundy velvet.
At dinner, one guest wore burgundy velvet jacket.
Richard’s younger daughter Catherine Bennett, 43.
We haven't mentioned her before. She could be accused guest. User says one formally dressed family member. Let's introduce Catherine as Richard's niece? Maybe younger daughter would be Emma’s sister. Good.
Catherine sat near Vanessa and Charles at far end? We said three people initially Ethan, Vanessa, Charles. Could have Catherine one seat further. Need make pointed person maybe Catherine eventually. Fine.
Catherine had left dinner before police search claiming migraine.
Police stopped her at gate.
She wore burgundy velvet.
Richard stared.
“Did you move Emma?”
Catherine began crying.
“Yes.”
Everyone froze.
Why?
Emma asked her to.
That answer shattered easy villain story.
Catherine had known hidden corridors since childhood.
When Emma returned mansion secretly, she contacted Catherine to help move between observation points without being seen by cameras.
Catherine used dumbwaiter lift.
Days 4, 6 and 8.
“Then why Lily said people keep moving Mommy?”
Because Lily saw Catherine guiding her.
“Did you sedate Emma?”
“No.”
“Did you bring juice?”
“No.”
“Did you know Vanessa did?”
“No.”
Where was Emma after Day 8?
Catherine moved her to basement records room.
Emma planned leave next morning.
When Catherine returned, Emma gone.
Door locked from outside.
Catherine panicked.
She searched.
Then received message from Emma:
STOP. LILY IS WATCHING.
She assumed Emma still controlling plan.
Now believed text fake.
Why didn't she report?
Because she had assisted secret hiding for days and feared appearing complicit.
Again.
Then Catherine disclosed Emma’s new discovery.
The financial records were a distraction.
Emma had found household access log showing someone opened old service corridor on nights months before her investigation.
Who?
Account:
RICHARD-B.
Richard's master credential.
Richard stared.
“I didn't.”
Could be cloned.
Access times all between 2 and 4 a.m.
Purpose?
Old corridor contained family archive.
What documents were accessed?
One file box repeatedly moved.
Label:
EMMA GRANT — ESTATE.
Emma's late husband Michael Grant? Need establish. Let's now define Emma was widowed from Michael Grant, Lily’s father, who died two years earlier in a documented hiking accident perhaps. Ring from Michael. Good.
Emma’s late husband Michael Grant had died two years ago in a documented car accident. His estate box should have been sealed.
Someone was opening it.
Inside was life-insurance paperwork, investment accounts, letters.
Nothing worth imprisoning Emma.
Except one sealed document missing:
May you like
LILY GUARDIANSHIP — PRIVATE.
Richard had never known it existed.
