Chapter 3 - THE POWER OF ATTORNEY

The document was a durable power of attorney.

It gave Brenda authority over bank accounts, medical decisions, property sales, and the family grocery store.

Shawn read it twice.

The signature looked like his father’s.

Too much like his father’s.

“When was this signed?” he asked.

Mark folded his arms. “Eighteen months ago.”

Don shook his head. “Never saw it.”

Brenda spoke quickly. “Dad, you don’t remember. That’s the problem.”

Maria grabbed Shawn’s sleeve. “She started saying that after we confronted her about the money.”

Shawn looked at Brenda.

“What money?”

She stared back. “You’ve been gone twelve years. Don’t walk in here acting like you know everything.”

He called 911.

Mark stepped closer. “You’re making a mistake.”

“Then the police can explain it to me.”

Within fifteen minutes, two deputies and an ambulance arrived.

The deputies took photographs of the basement.

Paramedics checked Don and Maria.

Both were dehydrated.

Maria’s blood pressure was dangerously high.

The older deputy, Collins, examined the power of attorney.

“This doesn’t automatically authorize locking people in a basement.”

Brenda began crying.

“I was overwhelmed. Dad gets aggressive.”

“Did he attack you?”

“No, but—”

“Did your mother?”

“No.”

Collins stared at the gate.

“How long were they down there?”

Brenda whispered, “Just since yesterday.”

Don laughed without humor. “This time.”

Everyone turned.

Shawn felt his stomach drop.

“This time?”

His father looked ashamed.

“She’s done it before.”

Brenda shouted, “Dad!”

Collins raised a hand. “Let him speak.”

Don looked at Shawn.

“Whenever we asked too many questions, she said we were confused and needed to calm down.”

Maria added, “Sometimes a night. Sometimes two.”

Shawn turned toward his sister.

For the first time, Brenda stopped pretending to cry.

Then Deputy Collins received a call over his radio.

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He listened, frowned, and looked directly at Mark.

“Mr. Dalton, dispatch says there’s an active fraud complaint connected to your name.”