She swallowed hard and nodded. “I have three savings accounts and a checking account. She took away my bank cards, made me open online accounting, and then changed all the passwords so I couldn’t access them. Moreover, we set up investments with my money with a financial adviser, but she has all those details too.”

Something dawned on me. “Does she have money of her own?”

Caro took a shuddering breath. “Everyone thinks so because her parents had money, but the majority of it went to my mother because she was the eldest. That money went to me. Helena thinks of it as hers. The only thing she owns is the cottage.”

Now it all made sense. She didn’t want Caro to exert her independence because it would leave her with very little money.

“Does Roane know this?”

“He suspected, but I lied.” Caro’s face crumpled. “I told him she didn’t have access to my money.”

Yeah, I was so done. “Will you move in here?”

She blinked at my abrupt question but nodded slowly. “Yes.”

We would talk about therapy later. First things first. “Tomorrow, Roane and I will accompany you to the cottage. While I help you pack, Roane will get everything he needs from Helena regarding your finances.”

“What if she won’t hand it over?”

“Oh, she will,” Viola said. She looked at me, angry determination in her eyes. “Roane has a good friend on the police force at Alnwick. I’m sure he’d be willing to accompany you.”

I smirked. “That could work.”

“I don’t want anyone else to know.” Caro shook her head.

“It’ll only be Patrick, Caro. You know he won’t tell anyone.”

After a little back-and-forth, we got Caro to agree, and I disappeared into my bedroom to call Roane. When I was done telling him everything, I had to hold the phone away from my ear while he cursed and railed.

I wished in that moment I could be there in person to comfort him.

“Roane,” I soothed. “This is a good development. She’ll finally be out from under that woman’s thumb.”

“That won’t fix what she’s broken, Evie.”

“No it won’t. But it’s a start.”

“And she has Caro’s money—” He started cursing again. Then just as abruptly stopped. “I’ll be round tomorrow morning to pick you up. I want this over and done.”

“And this police officer Viola mentioned?”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Well, I think it might be a good idea to have an officer of the law there to remind you that murder is a crime.”

He gave a snort of laughter. “Aye, you’re probably right.”

“Okay. Ten o’clock?”

“Aye. And, Evie.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

At his heartfelt gratitude I melted. “Roane, it wasn’t me. It was Viola.”