Chapter 2 - The Predator's Playground
Two days later, I was transferred to an upscale rehabilitation facility in the suburbs. Harper insisted on managing the transfer, playing the role of the devoted, exhausted niece for the facility staff.
I played my part perfectly. I stared blankly out the window. I asked the nurses what year it was. I let my hands tremble when I held my tea.
On my fourth afternoon in rehab, Harper arrived with a man in a cheap, overly tailored suit.
"Aunt Evelyn?" Harper cooed, walking into my private room. "This is Marcus. He’s a real estate consultant. He's just going to take a look at the deed to the coastal condo, okay? We want to make sure your assets are protected."
Marcus smiled, slick and completely devoid of warmth. "It's a pleasure, Mrs. Vance. We're going to take great care of you."
I offered a confused, vacant smile. "Are you the physical therapist, dear?"
Harper exchanged a victorious look with Marcus. She pulled a stack of documents from her designer tote bag—a bag I had paid for three Christmases ago.
"No, Auntie. He's here to help me with the paperwork," Harper said smoothly. "The doctors say you're going to need around-the-clock care. It's going to be very expensive. We need to sell the condo."
May you like
They were moving fast. Faster than I anticipated. The 1.4 million dollar trust I had built over my lifetime was a shiny, irresistible lure, and Harper was desperate for the cash. What she didn't know was that the room was wired. Detective Miller had sent a technician disguised as a maintenance worker that morning. A microscopic camera was embedded in the smoke detector, and every word they spoke was streaming directly to a secure server at the attorney general's office.
"Whatever you think is best, Harper," I whispered, letting my chin drop to my chest. "You're my only family."
