Chapter 12 - The Sisters
Patricia denied everything.
At first.
Then police showed her Ross’s statement.
She asked for a lawyer.
By evening, the story changed.
Patricia admitted she had introduced Karen to Ross.
But she insisted Karen had expanded the plan.
“Richard was supposed to sign willingly,” Patricia said through her attorney’s proffer.
Susan read the summary aloud.
“Karen was supposed to convince him the trust protected the house from taxes and medical costs.”
Dad said, “Instead she drugged me.”
Susan nodded.
“Patricia claims she didn’t know.”
I asked, “And Lily?”
“No mention.”
That part was personal.
Not part of the fraud.
That somehow made it worse.
Karen did not mistreat my daughter because a criminal plan required it.
She did it because Lily represented me.
And Karen wanted me pushed out.
Dad sat quietly.
Then said, “I want a restraining order.”
Susan nodded.
“For yourself?”
“For Daniel and Lily too.”
I looked at him.
He met my eyes.
“No more halfway.”
That mattered.
Karen could not contact Dad directly.
Could not approach the house.
Could not contact Lily.
Then Karen posted online.
A long message.
She claimed I had turned Dad against her because I wanted his money.
She said Lily was a picky eater and she had been trying to teach responsibility.
Some believed her.
One aunt wrote:
I stared at the screen.
Then deleted it.
Megan called.
“Don’t fight online.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
“I want to.”
“I know.”
Dad did something I did not expect.
He posted one sentence.
Then he turned off comments.
Karen deleted her post.
That night, Lily asked if she could sleep at Grandpa’s again someday.
Dad’s face crumpled.
“Only if you want to.”
She nodded.
“But no Grandma Karen.”
“No Grandma Karen.”
Then Lily said, “What about the basement room?”
May you like
All three adults froze.
“What basement room?” I asked.
