Chapter 6 - The Story They Repeated
The first officers entered through the front door and separated everyone.
Garrett immediately began shaping his version of events.
Lily had become confused.
Lily had damaged the kitchen.
Lily had moved from her wheelchair without assistance and frightened Diane.
Garrett had removed part of the chair only because he feared Lily would operate it while distressed.
Every sentence made him sound concerned.
Every sentence placed responsibility on Lily.
Diane repeated the same details, almost word for word.
Ava remained beside her sister while Officer Elena Brooks examined the wheelchair.
“There is a control connector missing,” Brooks said.
Garrett touched his pocket instinctively.
The movement was small.
Ava noticed.
Brooks noticed too.
“Please empty your pockets, sir.”
Garrett hesitated.
Then he removed a wallet, keys, and the missing connector.
“It fell off,” he said.
Brooks looked at the chair, then at the connector.
“And it fell into your coat?”
Garrett’s mouth tightened.
Ruiz arrived moments later. He had already obtained authorization to secure the laptop and external drive because Ava had reported possible financial exploitation and active evidence destruction.
When he approached the counter, Garrett blocked him.
“You need a warrant.”
Ruiz held up the digital authorization on his phone.
“We have one.”
Diane’s face lost its color.
Garrett turned toward her.
“You said those papers were protected.”
The room went silent.
Ava slowly looked at her mother.
“What papers?”
Diane shook her head.
“He does not know what he is saying.”
Garrett realized his mistake and stepped backward.
Ruiz disconnected the laptop.
A forensic technician entered carrying protective equipment for the devices.
As the technician secured the drive, Garrett tried another strategy.
“This is a family disagreement,” he said. “Ava is using her position to settle a personal grudge.”
Ruiz glanced at Ava.
“She is not leading this investigation.”
Garrett pointed toward Lily.
“She depends on us for everything. She cannot live independently.”
Lily’s face hardened.
Ava felt the urge to answer for her.
She stopped herself.
Lily lifted her chin.
“I worked remotely for six years. I paid household expenses. I scheduled my own care. I managed my father’s trust until you convinced Mom to remove my access.”
Garrett laughed.
“You see? She is obsessed with money.”
“No,” Lily said. “I am interested in the money you stole.”
Diane closed her eyes.
The technician examined the external drive.
“Several files were deleted recently,” he said. “Recovery may be possible.”
Garrett’s confidence wavered.
Lily reached beneath the table and retrieved the hidden phone.
“The call with Ava recorded everything.”
Garrett stared at the device.
“You planned this.”
“I planned to survive it.”
The technician paused.
Ruiz looked at Lily.
“Would you be willing to provide that recording?”
“Yes,” she replied. “But I want to listen to it with my own attorney present.”
Ava looked at her sister with quiet pride.
May you like
Lily was frightened.
She was also taking control.
