“If he’s this horrible monster you portray, why stay friends with the man? You were the first one he called, right? You were there when the police arrived, giving moral support.”

Brookes’s eyes shone with tears. “I’m scared of what he might do if I try to pull away. I’ve had to keep an eye on them. I’ve been watching to make sure she was okay. It might not make sense to you, but I couldn’t come forward then. But I have to now. I can’t sit back any longer. He’s evil. I know he hurt her, just like I know he hurt the baby. Ethan is a showman. He’s a brilliant actor. I’ve always wondered...”

“What? Go on.”

Brookes started fiddling with an apple, left out on the counter, a snack interrupted. She was clearly debating something. Finally, she said, “I think Ethan was trying to drive Sutton mad. I am not a computer expert, so I have no way of tracking this down and proving it, but I think Ethan might have been the one who hacked Sutton’s account and was riling up the reviewer. I think he was the one who said all those horrible things.

“After Dashiell...he wanted to destroy her. He blamed her. Even if it was him who gave the drugs, he blamed her for leaving that night. For not wanting a child in the first place. For being who she was. He tried to conform her into his perfect little wife, but Sutton has a wild streak. She’s always fighting herself. She hated being tied down, and the whole concept of marriage and two point four kids and a dog was the opposite of what she ever wanted. Ethan was slowly strangling her.”

“Is there anyone who can corroborate this, Ms. Brookes?”

“Her mother will. They weren’t close, they fought all the time, but she’ll tell you. She’s always known Ethan for who and what he is. A tyrant.”

Brookes began to cry now, large tears gently rolling down her face. “I should have told you sooner. I was hoping she had just taken off for a few days to piss him off. But this doesn’t feel right to me. After that email... God, why didn’t I see it Friday, when I could have helped? I’m afraid for her, Officer Graham. Truly afraid.”

Holly nodded. “This is a huge help. Thank you for your honesty, for being willing to give up your friendship with the Montclairs to do the right thing. I will follow up on all of this, I swear. I will need you to come to the station and give a full report. On the record. Are you willing to do that?”

Brookes sighed and nodded. “Yes. I’m willing to go on the record.”