Chapter 5 - Evelyn’s Quiet Investigation
Martin assembled a small team.
The first was Margaret Sloan, a retired judge who specialized in elder financial exploitation. The second was Henry Walsh, a forensic accountant who had once worked for Warren Agricultural Equipment.
They met Evelyn twice a week in the unused greenhouse behind the mansion.
Henry traced Caleb’s transfers through several companies.
The money had funded gambling debts, luxury hotel stays, and a failed real estate development in Florida.
Caleb had also used the Warren name to secure private loans.
“He owes more than three million dollars,” Henry explained. “Some lenders believe he will soon control the trust.”
Margaret placed another document on the table.
“He has prepared a petition declaring you legally incompetent. Dr. Price has not signed it, but Caleb has approached two other doctors.”
Evelyn read the document without emotion.
At the bottom was a request that Caleb be appointed guardian of her property.
Once approved, he would control the mansion, the company shares, the bank accounts, and the family trust.
“He intends to erase me while I am still alive,” Evelyn said.
Martin leaned forward.
“We have enough to seek a restraining order.”
“Not enough to expose everyone helping him.”
Evelyn suspected Caleb was not working alone.
She allowed him to believe his pressure was succeeding.
She began asking him to repeat appointment times. She pretended to forget where she had placed her glasses. During dinner, she deliberately called a servant by the wrong name.
Caleb’s confidence grew.
He started holding meetings in Jonathan’s office without closing the door.
One evening, Evelyn heard him speaking to a woman named Vanessa Cole, a private wealth manager.
“Once I’m appointed guardian, we sell the company shares,” Caleb said.
“And your mother?”
“She’ll be comfortable somewhere quiet.”
“What if she refuses?”
Caleb laughed.
“She won’t have a choice.”
Evelyn recorded the conversation using a small device hidden inside her pearl brooch.
For the first time, Martin agreed that they were close.
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But they still needed proof of Caleb’s willingness to use more than financial pressure.
That proof came sooner than anyone expected.
