Chapter 7 - Michael's Final Episode
Claire did not sleep.
Michael's words repeated in her mind.
The last one.
At dawn, she messaged Hannah.
HE SAID TOMORROW IS THE LAST VIDEO.
Hannah responded:
DO YOU THINK HE MEANS HURTING YOU?
Claire looked at the message for a long time.
I DON'T KNOW.
That was the truth.
Michael had never hit her.
That fact had once reassured her.
Now she understood how meaningless it was.
He had taken her phone.
Locked her away.
Controlled food.
Manufactured medical evidence.
Planned to take her money.
Tried to establish her as mentally incompetent.
Violence did not require a fist.
Hannah sent another message.
POLICE HAVE THE VIDEO.
Claire's heart jumped.
AND?
THEY ARE TALKING TO THE PROSECUTOR.
HOW LONG?
I DON'T KNOW.
Claire closed her eyes.
She hated those words.
Morning became afternoon.
Nobody came.
Michael spent almost an hour setting up lights.
Patricia brushed Claire's hair.
The gesture felt obscene.
"You need to look presentable."
Claire looked at herself in the mirror.
"Why?"
Patricia avoided answering.
Michael entered wearing a gray sweater.
He tested the camera.
"Mom, stand behind her."
Patricia moved into position.
Claire remained seated.
Michael pressed record.
His entire personality changed.
"Hi, everyone."
Warm voice.
Gentle eyes.
Concerned husband.
"We weren't sure whether to share this."
Claire looked directly at the camera.
Michael continued.
"The last few weeks have been difficult."
Patricia placed a hand on Claire's shoulder.
Claire resisted the urge to pull away.
"Claire's doctors believe she now needs a higher level of psychiatric and medical care."
Claire's heart began pounding.
Psychiatric.
Michael continued.
"Tomorrow she'll be moving to a private treatment facility."
Claire turned toward him.
"What?"
Michael stopped recording.
"Don't."
"Where?"
"We talked about this."
"No, we didn't."
"Claire."
"What facility?"
Patricia tightened her grip.
Claire stood.
"Get your hand off me."
Michael immediately reached for the camera.
He wanted the reaction.
Claire saw it.
She sat again.
Calm.
"Tell me the facility."
Michael did not answer.
Claire smiled faintly.
"Because there isn't one?"
Patricia said, "Enough."
Michael restarted the camera.
Claire waited until he was speaking again.
Then she looked straight into the lens.
"I have never agreed to psychiatric treatment."
Michael lunged forward and stopped recording.
"Damn it!"
Claire remained calm.
"I am not mentally incompetent."
"Stop talking to the camera!"
"You brought it."
Michael grabbed the tripod.
Patricia hissed, "You're losing control."
He turned on her.
"Because she keeps doing this!"
"Then stop letting her see the camera."
"It's the entire point!"
They began arguing.
Claire lowered her head.
Inside, she memorized everything.
Private treatment facility.
Tomorrow.
Why tomorrow?
The answer came that evening.
Patricia entered carrying a garment bag.
She hung it in the closet.
Claire recognized the clothing.
Her black maternity dress.
The one she had worn to her grandmother's funeral.
"Why did you bring that?"
Patricia did not look at her.
"For tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Michael wants you dressed."
"For a hospital?"
Patricia paused.
Then smiled.
"You ask too many questions."
She left.
Claire immediately checked the garment bag.
Inside the dress pocket she found something.
A folded document.
Death benefit confirmation.
Claire stared.
It was from Michael's employer life insurance provider.
Her name appeared.
Insured spouse.
Coverage amount: $750,000.
Claire's knees weakened.
The form was dated three weeks earlier.
She sat slowly.
Michael had increased insurance coverage on her.
Three weeks earlier.
After locking her in the attic.
Claire photographed every page using the hidden phone.
Then uploaded the images.
Hannah responded almost immediately.
OH MY GOD.
Claire typed:
IS THIS ENOUGH?
The reply came.
IT'S ENOUGH TO GET EVERYONE MOVING.
But another message followed.
CLAIRE, LISTEN TO ME.
Claire waited.
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING YOU DON'T HAVE TO TONIGHT.
Claire looked toward the feeding equipment.
Her stomach turned.
Hannah continued.
THE ATTORNEY THINKS TOMORROW MAY BE THEIR DEADLINE FOR A REASON.
Claire thought about Patricia's statement.
Once she signs the transfer.
She thought about the psychiatric facility.
The insurance.
The final video.
The black dress.
Then a new sound came from the hallway.
Michael speaking on the phone.
He assumed Claire could not hear through the door.
"Yes," he said.
"Tomorrow morning."
Pause.
"No, she doesn't know."
Pause.
"I understand."
Then his voice became quieter.
May you like
"Just make sure the paperwork says she arrived conscious."
Claire's blood went cold.
