My deceased father appeared in my dream the night before my birthday and warned, ‘Don’t wear the dress your husband gave you.’ I woke up trembling, because my husband had just given me that dress. And when the seamstress brought it back and I checked the lining, I realized my father hadn’t just visited in a dream, he might have prevented something I hadn’t noticed.

How could this be real?

She dialed the detective’s number. After a few rings, a man’s voice answered.

“Leonard Hayes speaking.”

“Hello.” Her voice trembled. “My name is Olivia. Iris gave me your number.”

“Yes, I know, Mrs. Sutton,” he said, calm and direct. “I understand this is extremely difficult for you right now, but I need to see you as soon as possible. Where are you at the moment?”

“Near the medical lab on Maple Street.”

“All right. I can be there in about 20 minutes. Wait for me at the entrance and don’t leave.”

Liv stepped outside and lowered herself onto a bench by the doors. Her legs felt too weak to stand. Her mind was foggy. People walked past. Cars moved along the street and everything felt distant, unfamiliar.

Twenty minutes later, a dark unmarked car pulled up. A man in his fifties climbed out wearing a dark jacket, his face tired but alert.

“Mrs. Sutton,” he said, extending a hand. “Detective Leonard Hayes. Let’s go talk.”

They entered the lobby and sat on a sofa in the corner. The detective pulled out a notebook and pen.

“Tell me everything from the start,” he said. “Take your time, but try to recall all the details.”

Liv began recounting the dream, her father, the dress Mark had given her, how she’d opened the lining and discovered the powder. Her voice cracked. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she continued. Detective Hayes listened quietly, occasionally jotting things down.

When she finished, he gave a slow nod.

“Mrs. Sutton, there’s something you need to know,” he said gravely. “Your husband, Mark Sutton, has been under surveillance for some time. We’ve been conducting an investigation into large-scale financial fraud. He has significant debts to certain people, very serious debts.”

Liv wiped her tears.

“What kind of debts? He works. We have a steady income.”

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