Chapter 8 - The Last Lie
After Detective Hale warned Garrett not to touch the suitcase, silence filled the penthouse.
Garrett looked from Elena to the detectives.
Then he smiled.
It was the same polished smile he had used in boardrooms, charity galas and television interviews.
“My wife has been seriously ill,” he said. “She clearly does not understand what is happening.”
Elena remained beside the evidence case.
Garrett pointed toward her.
“She has suffered from confusion for months. These people are manipulating her.”
Hale opened his folder.
“We have medical records showing Mrs. Sullivan was given sedatives without authorization.”
“Then question the doctors.”
“We did.”
Garrett’s smile weakened.
Hale placed photographs on the marble table.
“These show your sister purchasing the medication.”
Tiffany began crying.
“Garrett told me it was for Elena’s anxiety.”
Garrett turned sharply.
“Stop talking.”
Brenda stepped forward.
“My son was trying to protect his wife.”
Elena lifted the recorder.
“Should we listen to how he planned to protect me?”
She pressed a button.
Garrett’s recorded voice filled the living room.
Once she is declared incapable, I control the trust. After the transfers clear, the clinic can keep her indefinitely.
Brenda’s voice followed.
And if she recovers?
Then increase the dosage.
Brenda sank into a chair.
Tiffany stared at her mother.
Garrett’s mask finally broke.
He rushed toward the recorder.
Hale blocked him.
The silver suitcase fell onto its side.
The lock snapped open.
Bundles of cash, passports and transfer certificates spilled across the marble floor.
Everyone stared.
Elena rose slowly.
Garrett looked at the documents, then at the detectives.
“I can explain.”
“You already did,” Hale replied.
Garrett turned to Elena.
“We can fix this.”
“There is no we.”
“I made mistakes.”
“You tried to erase me.”
His voice dropped.
“You would have lost that fortune without me. I built everything.”
Elena stepped closer.
“You built your life with my contacts, my property and my trust. Then you confused access with ownership.”
Garrett reached for her arm.
Hale seized his wrist before he made contact.
Garrett struggled as the detective handcuffed him.
Brenda shouted that Elena was ungrateful.
Tiffany begged for another chance.
Elena looked at all three of them.
For years, she had mistaken their need for her wealth as love.
May you like
Now the truth stood before her in handcuffs.
“You had seventy-four days to stop,” she said. “Not one of you did.”
