Most importantly, he signed a declaration in which he clearly expressed his desire to remain in the family home and to provide him with appropriate home care if necessary.
All these documents were duly witnessed and notarized on the day Patricia attended a nursing conference that, as it later turned out, never existed. We kept the originals in a safe in Michael’s office, and we gave Dad copies to hide in his fishing tackle box, which Patricia never touched.
We also installed small cameras in the common areas of the house, legally recording Patricia’s activities. The footage captured her tampering with medications, looking through her dad’s personal documents, and once even hitting him when he asked where some of his savings had gone.
I had been methodically gathering this evidence, planning to confront Patricia, with Walter’s support, once his treatment was complete. But Derek accelerated the process with this birthday ambush, forcing me into action.
Ending my conversation with Michael, I took a deep breath and prepared to head back to the party. Through the window, I could see Derek handing out paperwork for people to sign. Patricia was gesturing excitedly, pointing to something, probably the penthouse apartment she’d been not-so-discreetly researching online.
Dad sat hunched in his chair, looking his 70s or older, and his posture was filled with consternation. My anger burned with a cold, clear rage. This wasn’t just about the house, though that mattered. This was about Dad’s dignity, his right to make informed decisions about his own life.
It was about respecting my mother’s wishes regarding the family home. And yes, it was about justice, about preventing manipulators from profiting from exploiting the elderly.
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway signaled Michael’s arrival. A moment later, another vehicle appeared—Uncle Walter with Dr. Kapor. Despite his obvious fatigue from cancer treatment, Walter’s face wore a determined expression. Dr. Kapor carried a bag of medications, his expression professionally neutral.
“Ready?” Walter asked, putting his hand on my shoulder in a gesture of support.
I nodded and straightened my spine.
« We’re more than ready. Let’s get this over with. »
We returned home together, ready to reveal the truth and recover what was stolen before our eyes.
The conversation in the living room abruptly ended when we entered. Derek was mid-sentence, pen in hand, apparently explaining something about escrow accounts. Frank, the real estate agent, was arranging glossy brochures on the coffee table. Patricia stood behind Dad’s chair, holding his shoulders possessively.
« Amanda, » Derek said with exaggerated patience, « we’re in the middle of something important. Maybe you could bring us some coffee while the grown-ups take care of the paperwork. »
“No more paperwork now,” I replied, my voice firmer than I expected. “Dad’s not selling this house. And he’s not moving to any facility.”
Derek laughed dismissively, which sent shivers down my spine.
« Too late, sis. The papers are already signed. The power of attorney gives me the right to make these decisions on Dad’s behalf. »
“I would like everyone to listen carefully,” I said, addressing the entire room. “What is happening here is not only morally unjust, but also illegal.”
Lauren frowned and looked from Derek to me.
« What are you talking about? Derek has power of attorney. Everything is fine. »
“Really?” I asked. “Has anyone wondered why Dad suddenly needed someone to make decisions for him? Has anyone questioned the timing of his cognitive decline after Patricia arrived?”
Patricia gasped dramatically.
« How dare you? I’ve done nothing but care for Harold. Tell her, honey. »
She nudged her dad, who looked confused and uncomfortable.
“Patricia systematically medicated my father without his knowledge or consent,” I continued, shaping the words. “She gave him sedatives and antipsychotics without a doctor’s prescription, artificially inducing symptoms of dementia.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Derek snorted. “You’re just upset because you’re going to have to find your own place. Time to grow up, Amanda.”
Michael stepped forward and introduced himself as my lawyer.
« In fact, we have evidence of medication tampering, including video footage and pharmacy records. Ms. Walker has been substituting over-the-counter sedatives for Harold for at least four months. »
Patricia’s face paled slightly, but still showed indignation.
« These are outrageous accusations, Harold. Tell them how well I take care of you. »
Dad looked uncertain, his gaze shifting between Patricia and me.
“No… I’m not sure what’s going on.”
“Because you were on drugs, Dad,” I said gently. “Remember how alert you were last month when Patricia visited her sister? That’s because you were on the right medication.”
Lauren felt increasingly uncomfortable.
« Derek, is any of this true? Did you know about the medication problems? »
Before Derek could respond, Walter spoke up.
« That’s not all. Patricia and Derek have known each other for years. They planned this entire scenario, targeting Harold’s estate. »
« That’s absurd, » Derek blurted out. « Patricia and Dad met at his doctor’s appointment. It was a complete accident. »
I pulled out my phone and viewed the recovered text messages.
« Is this a coincidence? The messages between you were from three years ago, about finding a target with a valuable property. You’re discussing how to deal with me because I could be a problem. Are you planning how to take control of the house? »
Lauren groaned and reached for her phone to read the messages herself.
« Oh my God, Derek. Tell me this isn’t true. »
Derek’s face turned red with anger.
« These messages could mean anything. You’re twisting the facts. »
Dr. Kapor stepped forward and addressed Dad directly.
« Mr. Walker, I’m Dr. Kapor. We met last month for a cognitive evaluation. With your permission, I’d like to take a blood sample today to check for over-the-counter medications. »
Dad nodded slowly, beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.
“Yes, please do it.”
Patricia immediately protested.
« It’s unnecessary and invasive. As his wife, I do not consent to random blood tests. »
“Fortunately, Patricia, your consent is not required,” Michael chimed in. “Harold has a health care power of attorney that authorizes Walter and Amanda to make decisions. This document was executed after Harold demonstrated legal capacity, witnessed, and notarized in accordance with state law.”
He pulled out the document and gave copies to Derek and Lauren.
“As you can see, this supersedes any power of attorney Derek claims to have, especially regarding health care decisions.”
Frank, the real estate agent, looked increasingly uncomfortable.
« I was told it was a simple family decision, in agreement with all parties. If legal complications arise, I will not be able to continue listing the property. »
He began gathering materials, clearly not wanting to be involved in the unfolding drama.
Derek slammed his fist on the table.
« That’s ridiculous. Dad signed a power of attorney for me three weeks ago. It’s the newest document, so it takes precedence. »
« Actually, » Michael replied, « a power of attorney signed while the grantor is under the influence of non-prescribed psychoactive substances is, by definition, invalid. Furthermore, the document Harold signed with Amanda and Walter expressly revokes all previous powers of attorney and remains in effect unless revoked in writing with the same witness requirements. »
Lauren pulled away from Derek, her face a mixture of shock and disgust.
« I can’t believe it. You told me Dad naturally gave in, that the move was his idea, once you explained the benefits to him. »
“Your brother systematically lied to you,” Walter said in a gentle but firm voice. “Harold never wanted to leave this house. It was Barbara’s childhood home, and her express wish was for it to remain within the family, specifically with the person who cared for Harold in his later years.”
Dr. Kapor finished drawing Dad’s blood and labeled the vials.
« I will receive urgent results within 24 hours. Based on my previous examination and what I am seeing today, I have serious concerns about medication mismanagement. »
Dad watched the events with increasing attention, as if a fog was lifting from his mind.
« I remember signing the papers for Derek, but I was very confused that day. Patricia made me a special tea and said it would help me sleep better. »
Patricia was now visibly nervous, and her facade of confidence crumbled.
« Harold, honey, you’re confused again. Do you remember what the doctor said about your memory problems? »
« Which doctor? » I asked pointedly. « Because Dr. Kapor said my dad was fully cognitively fit after appropriate treatment. The only doctor who says his condition is serious is Dr. Reynolds, who, it turns out, is your former colleague and whose prescriptions you changed. »
Dad turned to Patricia, pain and betrayal evident in his eyes.
« Were you drugging me, Patricia? Were you making me forget I was confused? »
She didn’t answer directly, but turned to Derek with a terrified expression.
« Do something. They’re twisting everything. »
Michael addressed the gathered people again.
The power of attorney Derek relies on contains a signature that, forensic analysis will likely show, was prepared while Harold was intoxicated. We have video footage of Patricia giving him over-the-counter medication approximately two hours before signing the document.
“You were spying on us!” Patricia screamed. “That’s an invasion of privacy.”
“It’s perfectly legal to install security cameras in the common areas of your own home,” Michael replied calmly, “especially when there’s reasonable suspicion of elder abuse, and this is an example of that.”
George and Martha—old friends of Dad’s—who had been watching the event in stunned silence, finally spoke up.
« Harold hasn’t been himself for months, » Martha said. « We noticed it, but we assumed it was just age. To think someone deliberately caused this… »
Dad’s expression changed from confusion to anger. For the first time in months, I saw the strong, determined man I remembered.
« I want to see these videos. I want to know exactly what’s going on in my own home. »
Patricia’s peace was finally shattered.
“It’s all Amanda’s fault!” she shouted, pointing an accusing finger at me. “She’s been jealous of me since day one, trying to keep Harold dependent on her, isolating him from everyone else. She’s the one manipulating him, not me.”
Derek sprang into action, his lawyer mask firmly on.
« These are serious accusations made thoughtlessly. If you continue to make these defamatory statements, we will have no choice but to initiate legal proceedings. »
Michael remained unmoved.
« Definitely, let’s take this to trial. I’m sure the judge would be very interested in seeing the evidence, including financial transactions showing $40,000 transferred from Harold’s accounts to yours over the past year, Derek. »
Lauren gasped.
« $40,000, Dad? Did you authorize that? »
Dad shook his head slowly.
« I don’t remember any large transfers. Patricia handles my online banking now. She said it was too complicated for me. »
“Because she deliberately made it seem complicated,” Walter added, “in the same way, she made a person think they were losing their memory, their cognitive abilities.”
Lauren turned to Derek, her expression hardening.
« You told me Dad needed memory care because he forgot to pay his bills and lost track of his money. Was that a lie too? »
Derek’s face turned red.
« The money was intended for financial management services. Completely legal. »
“Through his own company,” Michael noted, “at rates four times higher than industry standards. Another fact that would interest adult protective services and perhaps the district attorney.”
Frank moved towards the door.
« I think I should step back from this. Of course, I need to resolve my family matters before making any decisions regarding my estate. »
“A wise choice,” Walter told him, “and I advise you to carefully screen your future clients to avoid becoming entangled in elder abuse.”
Frank nodded, moving unsteadily, and hurried out, leaving his brochures scattered on the coffee table.
Patricia suddenly changed tactics, her expression taking on one of wounded innocence as she addressed her dad directly.
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