Chapter 5 - The Locked Garden Door
The isolation became worse when Daniel traveled to Chicago for a five-day business conference.
Before leaving, he kissed his mother and promised to call every evening.
Vanessa stood beside him, smiling.
“We’ll be perfectly fine.”
The moment Daniel’s car disappeared, Vanessa ordered Lila to take the week off.
Lila refused.
“Mrs. Whitmore needs assistance.”
Vanessa placed an envelope on the table.
Inside was enough money to cover several months of wages.
“Your services are no longer required.”
Lila looked toward Eleanor.
Eleanor gave a small nod.
“Take the envelope,” she said. “But call Samuel Reeves.”
Vanessa’s head turned sharply.
Lila left without answering.
Vanessa locked the front gate behind her.
For two days, Eleanor was confined to the ground floor. Vanessa took away the house telephone and claimed the internet was being repaired.
Meals arrived late and cold.
When Eleanor requested help reaching the bathroom, Vanessa ignored her until a gardener entered the hallway unexpectedly.
In front of him, Vanessa became loving again.
“Oh, Mother Eleanor, you should have called me.”
The gardener looked confused.
Eleanor said nothing.
She was waiting.
The brooch recorder captured every insult.
It recorded Vanessa admitting she had arranged the false medical consultant.
It recorded her saying Daniel would soon control the trust.
It recorded her threatening to place Eleanor in a private facility where visitors would need Vanessa’s permission.
On the third morning, Vanessa entered Eleanor’s room carrying a red dress and a pair of silver scissors.
“We’re going outside,” she announced.
“Why?”
“Daniel is returning tomorrow. I want the garden photographs to look perfect.”
Eleanor looked at the scissors.
“What are those for?”
Vanessa touched Eleanor’s long hair.
“This makes you look weak and ancient. Daniel needs to see that you can no longer make your own decisions.”
Eleanor reached for the brooch recorder.
May you like
The small light blinked once.
Still recording.
