I stared at the wall.
River Oaks had been only the beginning.
The three other properties were next.
Then the company.
Malcolm would control the finances.
Daniel would control the legal documents.
Trevor would provide the family connection.
And Kristen would help persuade everyone that I was too old, too confused, and too difficult to keep running Cedarline.
I slowly exhaled.
“They weren’t waiting for me to die.”
Helen was silent.
I continued.
“They were trying to make me irrelevant while I was still alive.”
***
That afternoon, Detective Grant called again.
Her voice was urgent.
“Gloria, we need to speak.”
I met her at the station.
She placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Trevor entering a private medical office.
Beside him stood Malcolm.
The photograph was dated two weeks before the assault.
I frowned.
“Why were they there?”
Grant opened another folder.
“To obtain a medical assessment.”
My stomach tightened.
