The “theft” began to unravel. Evelyn’s bank records showed the withdrawal was real, but the “jewelry purchase” she claimed to be making was a lie. The man she was supposed to meet was actually a private debt collector. Her late husband had left behind a trail of gambling debts that were now being called in, and Evelyn was desperate to keep her reputation intact.
She had hatched a plan to “lose” the money. If she could prove it was stolen, she could claim the loss on her insurance and buy herself time with the collectors. She hired Voss to stage the robbery, but Voss had his own ideas. He took the money, but instead of disappearing, he planted the bag to ensure the police would be too busy with a “thief” to look at him.
“You’re free to go, Ms. Thorne,” Harlan said, though the words felt small compared to the ordeal she’d endured. “The charges are being dropped. We’re bringing Mrs. Marrow in for a formal interview regarding filing a false report and conspiracy.” Lena felt a wave of nausea. Evelyn had been willing to send a stranger to prison just to cover up a financial mess.