The occasions when he asked me to sign thank-you cards.
The elderly people he’d encouraged me to call.
I’d thought I was helping.
He had turned my kindness into the public face of his scheme.
Miriam asked Vanessa about the lottery.
“Did you tell Mark Emily had won?”
“No.”
“Then how did he learn?”
“Celeste has access to his shared accounts.
They monitor everything they can.”
Vanessa turned toward me.
“Your husband has been preparing for a major financial transfer for months.
I didn’t know about the lottery until you checked the ticket at the store.
When I saw your reaction, I was terrified he’d find out before you understood what he was doing.”
“Why were you working at Elm Street Market after leaving his company?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“I needed another job.
And I knew you shopped there.”
I frowned.
“You chose that store because of me?”
