After that night Preston began suggesting that I should let him manage my finances.
Six months ago I fell seriously ill with pneumonia and spent ten days in the hospital. Preston visited daily with kind words and eventually asked me to sign a document that he claimed was related to medical insurance authorization.
The document was actually a broad legal power of attorney.
He disappeared after my recovery.
Now I understood why.
That same evening I called my attorney Leonard Whitaker.
“Leonard,” I said, “my son thinks he sold my apartment and stole my savings. Prepare criminal charges for fraud and financial abuse. Tomorrow evening we will attend his wedding.”
Leonard remained silent for a moment.
“Margot, this will send him to prison.”
“I know,” I replied calmly. “But perhaps prison is the only place where he can learn honesty.”
The next evening I dressed carefully in a navy silk gown and a pearl necklace that Patrick had given me on our anniversary years earlier. I arrived at the Grand Liberty Country Club with Leonard and two investigators.