His mouth closed.
For eleven months I had recorded dates, amounts, account numbers and attempted transactions.
Three days after Richard’s funeral, Daniel asked me to add him as an authorized user on my primary checking account.
I refused.
Five days later, someone attempted to reset the online password.
Two weeks after that, Vanessa brought me a “routine estate form” and placed little yellow arrows beside three signature lines.
I read the document instead.
It granted Daniel durable authority over nearly every asset I owned.
I refused again.
After that, my accidents began.
Judge Mercer turned to Hale.
“Counsel, were these financial issues disclosed in the guardianship application?”
Hale rose.
“Your Honor, adult children often help aging parents with finances. That alone proves nothing.”
“I agree,” I said.
Then I removed the second item from my coat.
A stack of bank notices.
“Which is why I brought these.”
Daniel shifted in his seat.
The notices showed six failed attempts to access my investment account.
Four had come from the internet connection registered at Daniel’s house.
The fifth came from my own home.
On the evening Daniel and Vanessa had invited themselves to dinner.
The sixth had come from somewhere more interesting.
