Thirty-Three

Pip arrives unannounced at Luke Eaton’s door, insisting on “the stronger stuff” and revealing her desperation to secure Rohypnol that night. She masks her fear behind a blank demeanor, knowing a single failure could collapse her entire cover plan.

Luke, wary but persuaded, accepts £80 and returns with two small baggies containing eight 1 mg pills. He apologizes for nearly hitting Pip at a crossing earlier and cautions that one pill is potent enough to knock someone out, unintentionally highlighting the risk she is about to take.

Back in her car, Pip confirms the quantity and formulates a precise dose for someone else, not herself. She redistributes the pills to create a two-and-a-half-milligram amount, then crushes that dose into a fine green powder, ensuring rapid, reliable effect without risking an overdose.

She stows the remaining pills for later disposal, pockets the prepared powder, and recommits to the plan despite mounting dread. The clock reads 8:33–8:34 p.m.; with three more houses left to visit, Pip drives on, intent on drugging her target and maintaining the alibi framework she and Ravi have constructed.