The words were so calm that they frightened me more than her screaming had.
“You’re insane.”
“No, she does not deserve the life she has. I do.”
She said it as if it were obvious.
“They always said she got the better life, better friends, better career, and better husband.”
“You took her because you were jealous?”
Ava’s face twisted.
“She stole everything first. I deserve what she has.”
Detective Brooks stepped between us.
“Tell us what happened at the retreat.”
Ava looked at me, not at her.
“I followed her.”
The words came out almost proudly.
“She always went to the same coastal retreat in spring. I booked under another name. I watched her for two days.”
My stomach turned.
“On Sunday morning, she walked along the beach alone. I gave her a drink.”
“You drugged her.”
“She was foolish enough to believe me when I said I came to apologize for my past mistakes.”
Ava continued.
“I put her in my car and took her home. I left her in the basement. I had clothes ready. Her phone. Her bag. Everything.”
“How long were you planning this?” Brooks asked.
“Years.”
The room went still.
“I studied her online. Photos, posts, and people she worked with. I knew enough.”
