Chapter 5 - The Witness They Ignored
Rebecca had arrived thirty minutes before the family.
Margaret introduced her only as an old friend.
Daniel barely acknowledged her.
Denise assumed she was another retired widow.
Rebecca was neither retired nor uninformed.
She specialized in estate fraud and elder financial abuse.
Margaret contacted her after receiving the transfer agreement.
Rebecca had advised her not to sign anything and to preserve every message.
She also recommended changing the lake-house locks and access codes before the reunion.
Margaret agreed.
The silver key in her pocket opened the new mechanical lock.
No one else possessed a copy.
Rebecca approached the pier.
“Margaret, do you need medical attention?”
“I need to get warm.”
Rebecca turned toward Denise.
“Please preserve the video.”
Denise’s mouth tightened.
“It was a family joke.”
Rebecca held her gaze.
“It may now be evidence.”
Evan looked toward his father.
Daniel finally understood that the quiet woman near the shore was not there by accident.
“Who are you?” he asked.
Rebecca removed a business card.
May you like
“Margaret’s attorney.”
The family’s confidence weakened further.
