Chapter 11 - The Cottage by the Lake
Police traced Monica’s sister’s car to a private cottage near Marblehead.
The property belonged to a company controlled by Jason’s college roommate.
Officer Shaw organized a quiet approach.
No sirens.
No marked vehicles near the house.
The priority was Rose.
At dawn, officers surrounded the cottage.
Monica opened the back door carrying a bag.
She froze when she saw police.
“Where is the baby?”
Monica began crying.
“Inside.”
“Where is Jason?”
“He left an hour ago.”
Officers entered.
Rose was asleep in the bedroom.
A portable heater warmed the room.
Bottles and formula stood beside the crib.
She appeared unharmed.
Helen and Tom were notified immediately.
Monica was arrested.
During questioning, she insisted she never intended Claire to die.
Jason told her the medication would only make Claire weak enough to sign legal documents.
“What documents?” Officer Shaw asked.
“Custody consent. Financial authority.”
Claire had recently told Jason she wanted a separation.
She planned to move in with her parents after Rose’s birth.
She also intended to remove Jason as trustee of Rose’s inheritance.
Jason needed Claire incapacitated long enough to secure her signatures.
Monica helped him add crushed pills to the smoothie.
She expected drowsiness.
Instead, Claire began bleeding heavily.
Monica begged Jason to call an ambulance.
He searched Claire’s purse and phone first.
He wanted a document Claire said she had sent to someone she trusted.
When Linda called emergency services, Jason canceled the ambulance.
Only after Claire lost consciousness did Monica force him to return to the hospital.
“Why did you take Rose?” Officer Shaw asked.
“Jason said social services would take her if Claire died.”
“And you believed him?”
Monica lowered her eyes.
“At first.”
Then Jason threatened to blame her for the poisoning.
She fled with the baby because she feared both him and police.
Officer Shaw placed Claire’s photograph on the table.
“You had multiple chances to save her.”
Monica broke down.
May you like
“I know.”
👉 Monica had confessed to the poisoning—but Jason was still searching for the document Claire hid before she died.
