Chapter 18 - WHAT BROOKE KNEWBrooke eventually gave a proffered statement through counsel.
It did not absolve her.
It did make the truth uglier and more ordinary.
Eleanor called Brooke six weeks before Chloe stopped my tea.
“She said Nora was falling apart.”
Brooke told investigators.
“Did you believe that?”
“Yes.”
Why?
Because Eleanor described my dizziness, stomach complaints, irritability, insomnia.
All real.
Some possibly already caused by the tea.
Eleanor said Denis’s medication worked “beautifully” for panic.
Brooke told her:
“That is not Nora’s prescription.”
Good.
Then Eleanor said she only wanted to use “dust,” a tiny amount mixed with chamomile.
Brooke replied:
“Mom, that’s insane.”
Also good.
Then why get the pharmacy receipt?
Brooke began crying.
Because Eleanor wanted to know the exact name and strength of Denis’s prescription.
She claimed she wanted the information to ask a doctor about “similar medication.”
Brooke went to the pharmacy.
Obtained the reprint improperly.
Sent Eleanor a photograph.
That was her first serious mistake.
Then texts showed the rest.
ELEANOR:
I used almost nothing.
BROOKE:
You actually did it?
ELEANOR:
She slept.
BROOKE:
Mom.
ELEANOR:
She woke up better.
BROOKE:
You cannot keep doing this.
ELEANOR:
Then stop me.
Brooke did not tell me.
Did not tell Julian.
Did not call a doctor.
Did not call police.
A week later:
BROOKE:
How is Nora?
ELEANOR:
Less sharp lately.
BROOKE:
That’s not funny.
ELEANOR:
I mean less anxious.
BROOKE:
Do NOT overdo it.
There.
Not a mastermind.
Not innocent.
May you like
She knew.
And once she knew, her response became dosage caution instead of disclosure.
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