Chapter 46

Elsie is escorted to a modern, nonthreatening police office for a formal, recorded statement. Detective Wills confirms she is not under arrest and begins by citing DNA from Elsie’s shoe matching neighbor Ishaan Patel. Elsie counters that proximity and finding the body explain transfer.

Detective Carlaw adds that Ishaan had Elsie’s DNA under his fingernails. Elsie explains he scratched her during a scuffle over his dog the day before. Detectives emphasize witnesses to their feud and the suspicious optics of Elsie finding the body. When Elsie asks about the autopsy, Wills reveals it is inconclusive pending toxicology.

The detectives circle the same questions—origins and escalation of the feud, and what Elsie considered doing to end it—probing for motive and intent. The tone remains adversarial as Wills hints that Elsie’s past as “Mad Mabel” motivates the inquiry, while Elsie demands tea and holds her ground.

A knock interrupts. Though Elsie has not called counsel, Joan appears with her nephew, who is a partner at a law firm. He asserts representation, immediately altering the balance of the interview and providing Elsie with legal support as the questioning stands on inconclusive forensics.