Chapter 13 - The Woman at the Window
The emergency hearing lasted three hours. Evelyn Price testified about money she never received. Leah explained missing entries without guessing beyond the records she had kept. Daniel spoke only when asked.
The judge temporarily blocked the disputed transfers while the signatures and loan authorizations were investigated. The order stopped the scheduled sale of Helen's house.
Outside, Mrs. Price hugged Nadia with both hands. "Nobody's ever gone to court for me," she said.
"You went for yourself," Nadia answered. "We brought the paper."
Daniel went straight to the hospital. Claire was sitting by the window, watching delivery trucks move below. He told her about the order, and she nodded without smiling.
"I'm happy," she said. "I just can't feel happy yet."
He sat beside her. "That's okay."
They stayed quiet until she said, "Remember when we argued about moving Mom into assisted living? I said Helen was afraid of losing control. She was really afraid nobody would listen."
"I didn't listen," Daniel said.
"Then do better with the people who are still here."
A nurse brought Emma in after school with Grace. The girl had made another drawing, this time of a house with a bright yellow door. She placed it beside the bed and announced that the dog was the security guard.
"His name is Thunder," she said. "He only barks at bad choices."
Claire laughed carefully. They hugged for a long time.
Later, Reyes called. The gray van from the school lot belonged to a security contractor paid by Blue Iris. The same man had been recorded leaving Helen's backyard after the attempted break-in.
"We're bringing him in for questioning," Reyes said. "But there's another problem."
"What problem?"
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"Mallory's phone has been turned off. Her attorney says she's disappeared."
Within minutes, Daniel received a message from his sister's number: IF I DON'T COME BACK, LOOK UNDER MOM'S PEW.
