Chapter 4: The Order in His Hand
Daniel entered carrying a leather case and a sealed envelope.
His silver hair was perfectly combed, but his eyes went straight to Elena’s phone.
“Give me that device,” he said.
“No,” Elena replied.
Daniel turned to Richard.
“Your caregiver has stolen confidential documents and manipulated a vulnerable woman.”
Evelyn pushed herself higher against the pillows.
“I am not confused.”
Daniel opened the envelope.
“A physician examined you on Monday.
This temporary order places your finances under Victoria’s control.”
Richard took the papers.
“Who requested this?”
“Your wife, after weeks of concern.”
“My mother says Victoria frightened her.”
“Your mother also accused three nurses of moving her jewelry.”
“She was right,” Elena said.
“Victoria removed it.”
Daniel gave a tired smile.
“And you found it, I suppose?”
“No.
The housekeeper did.”
Victoria stepped beside him.
“Richard, this is why I said nothing.
Your mother’s condition has become dangerous.”
Evelyn’s hand shook against the blanket.
“You stood beside my bed while Daniel held my wrist.
You tried to force my hand onto that page.”
“That never happened,” Daniel said.
Elena raised her phone.
“Part of it is on the recording.”
Daniel’s smile vanished.
“A recording made without consent may be useless.”
“It can still prove she needs protection,” Richard said.
Daniel placed another document on the dresser.
“This proves Elena needs to leave.
Her agency terminated her this morning after receiving a complaint that she stole medication.”
Elena stared at the letter.
“I never took anything.”
“Your identification number is on the report.”
“Who filed it?”
Daniel glanced at Victoria.
“The agency protects complainants.”
Two paramedics appeared at the doorway.
A police officer followed them and surveyed the broken vase.
Victoria pointed at Elena.
“She caused this.”
“No,” Richard said.
“My mother identified Victoria.”
The officer looked toward Evelyn.
“Ma’am, can you tell me what happened?”
Daniel stepped forward.
“She has been declared medically incapable.”
“I asked her,” the officer said.
“Not you.”
Evelyn opened her mouth, but Victoria lifted the medicine bottle from the bedside table.
“You missed your afternoon dose, Mother.
That’s why you’re agitated.”
Elena knocked the bottle from Victoria’s hand.
It rolled beneath the dresser.
“Don’t give her that!”
Daniel pointed at Elena.
“You all saw it.
She interfered with prescribed care.”
One paramedic picked up the bottle and read the label.
“This should go with us to the hospital.”
Victoria blocked the bed.
“She isn’t leaving.”
“She has back pain and difficulty speaking,” the paramedic replied.
“She is leaving.”
Elena tried to stand, but the room tilted.
Richard caught her before she fell.
“You’re going too,” he said.
“I can’t leave Evelyn alone.”
“I’ll stay with her.”
Elena looked directly at him.
“You believed Victoria once without listening.
Promise me you won’t do it again.”
“I promise.”
Daniel closed his case.
“If Evelyn leaves this house, Victoria’s temporary authority still follows her.”
Richard raised the recording phone.
“Not for long.”
Daniel leaned close enough that only Richard and Elena could hear him.
“If you challenge that order, I’ll produce the company transfers carrying your signature.
You could lose your business before breakfast.”
Richard’s grip loosened.
Victoria saw it and smiled.
“Tell Elena, darling.
Tell her what you signed.”
“What transfers?” Elena asked.
Richard said nothing.
The officer stepped closer.
“Mr.
Hale?”
Daniel held out his hand.
“Give me the phone, Richard, and this can remain a family misunderstanding.”
For one terrible second, Richard looked at the phone as if he might surrender it.
May you like
Then the screen went black.
Daniel had remotely erased the recording.
