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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAunt Helen\u2019s hand tightened around the edge of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey were trying to isolate her,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Lincoln answered. \u201cAnd they were preparing Gregory to accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For months, I had believed Pamela was worried about Matilda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now I understood that every worried look, every late-night conversation, every warning had been part of a larger plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should contact the authorities,\u201d Aunt Helen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Lincoln raised his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s one more file.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He opened a video recorded three days earlier in my kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pamela sat at the island while Spencer placed several documents in front of her. They spoke quietly, unaware that the system had captured everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are close,\u201d Pamela said. \u201cA few more incidents and Gregory will stop questioning us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spencer looked down at the papers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe does not have to believe every detail,\u201d he replied. \u201cHe only has to sign what we put in front of him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My stomach tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Pamela leaned toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd once he signs, Matilda won\u2019t be the only one they can call incapable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room fell silent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their plan was not only about my daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It included me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lincoln paused the recording and enlarged one of the documents on the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My name was printed at the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beneath it was an evaluation claiming I had been examined by a doctor I had never met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aunt Helen leaned closer to the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then her face went pale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know that doctor,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe signed Beatrice\u2019s death certificate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, the truth felt much larger than Pamela and Spencer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I knew we were no longer dealing with a family betrayal alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n