Chapter 8 - THE BACKYARD CAMERA
I knew immediately the note was a lie.
Mom would not leave without her medication, her coat, or the little silver locket she wore every day.
All three were still in the room.
"Where is she?" I shouted.
Vanessa appeared in the doorway behind me.
"I told you. She left."
"Through a second-story window?"
Her face tightened.
Trent came up behind her. "Maybe she's confused. Old people wander."
I shoved past them and ran downstairs.
The back door was open now.
I hit the camera app on my phone.
Live view.
Front porch: empty.
Driveway: empty.
Garage: empty.
Backyard--
There.
A figure moved near the shed.
Mom.
She was outside in slippers, stumbling toward the side gate.
And another figure followed ten feet behind her.
Trent.
I looked up.
The man standing on the staircase with Vanessa wasn't Trent.
It took my brain a full second to catch up.
It was Kyle, Trent's cousin. Same build. Similar beard. He had come in through the back while I was upstairs.
Which meant the real Trent was outside with Mom.
I ran.
Vanessa grabbed my arm.
"Daniel, stop!"
I tore free and sprinted across the kitchen, through the back door, and into the yard.
Mom was near the gate.
Trent had her by the upper arm.
"Let her go!"
He turned.
Mom twisted, lost her balance, and hit the grass.
I reached him before he could move.
I didn't punch him. I wanted to.
Instead, I put myself between him and Mom.
"Back up."
"She was leaving," he said.
"She's seventy-four and in slippers."
"Not my problem."
The side gate opened.
Marcus stepped in, phone raised and recording.
"It is now," he said.
Trent backed away.
Behind us, Vanessa yelled from the patio, "This is insane! Evelyn is confused!"
Mom pushed herself upright.
She was shaking.
"He told me Daniel wanted me gone," she said.
Trent swore under his breath.
Marcus helped Mom through the gate and into his car.
Vanessa stared at me.
For the first time, I saw fear.
Not guilt.
Fear of losing control.
"Where are you taking her?"
"Somewhere safe."
"I'm her caregiver!"
"No," I said. "You're not."
She stepped closer. "What did she tell you?"
I looked her in the eyes.
"Nothing I believe yet."
A lie.
A useful one.
Her fear eased slightly.
Then her phone rang.
She looked at the caller ID and turned pale.
I couldn't see the name.
May you like
But I heard the first words when she answered.
"How did he find out about the deed?"
