Chapter 6 - THE FIRST LIE
By nine the next morning, Daniel had built a whole new story.
The filing claimed I had isolated Robert, pressured him to sign property documents, and become unstable before Christmas. It was fiction with legal formatting.
Robert's attorney, Maya Chen, read the filing in my hospital room and raised one eyebrow.
"He's moving fast."
"Can he take the house?" I asked.
"Not with this garbage. But garbage can still make a mess."
Robert leaned forward. "Tell her about the video."
Maya nodded.
I looked between them. "What video?"
Robert hesitated. "After money started disappearing, I installed two indoor security cameras. One in my study. One covering the dining room. Margaret knew about the study camera. She didn't know the dining-room camera had audio."
My heart started pounding.
"Christmas was recorded?"
"Everything."
The slap. The laughter. Daniel telling me his mother was teaching me to be a better wife.
Maya's expression stayed calm, but I could see satisfaction in her eyes.
"We preserved the cloud footage before anyone could access the account."
"Anyone?"
Robert looked tired.
"Daniel tried at 3:06 this morning."
I sat back against the pillow.
He had left the hospital and immediately tried to erase the evidence.
"What else is on those cameras?" I asked.
Robert didn't answer right away.
Maya did.
"That's what we're reviewing."
My phone buzzed.
A message from Lisa.
Please don't destroy this family. Mom is scared. Daniel is a mess. We can all apologize. Just come home.
I showed Maya.
"Don't respond yet," she said.
Then another message appeared.
This one was from a number I didn't know.
Emily, my name is Rachel. I think Daniel has lied to both of us. I need to show you something.
A photo arrived.
Daniel was asleep in a bed I had never seen.
May you like
On his left hand, his wedding ring was gone.
And on the nightstand beside him was a folder labeled ROBERT WHITMORE - POWER OF ATTORNEY.
