“Can you confirm that your mother is currently safe?”
I watched Mom laughing with her friends.
“She appears to be, but they’re planning to drug her tonight.”
“We’re sending officers to your location. Do not attempt to intervene until they arrive. Can you remain where you can observe the party?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Stay on the line.”
Jason and I sat in tense silence, watching our family through the windows like we were conducting surveillance, which I supposed we were. The irony was not lost on me that I was spying on my own sister at my mother’s birthday party.
“I can’t believe Linda would do this,” I whispered.
“Really?” Jason looked at me with raised eyebrows. “Because I can totally believe it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Mom, Aunt Linda has been asking about Grandma’s money for years. Remember last Christmas when she wanted to know about the life insurance? Or when she suggested Grandma should simplify her finances?”
He was right, and I felt stupid for not seeing it.
Linda had been planting seeds for months, maybe years. The caring daughter worried about Mom’s safety. The helpful sister concerned about Mom’s finances. The devoted family member who just wanted what was best.
“She’s been setting this up for a long time,” I said, the realization hitting me like a slap.
“Yeah. And Paul’s been researching elder care facilities and property values. I caught him looking up nursing homes on his phone at Easter.”
Easter.
That was four months ago.
They had been planning this since at least Easter, maybe longer. Every family dinner, every holiday visit, every concerned phone call had been part of their scheme.
My phone buzzed.
A text from Linda.
Where did you go? Mom’s asking for you.
I showed Jason the message. He snorted.
“She’s probably panicking. They need you there to make everything look normal.”
Another text came through.
Jason too. Come back. The cake is amazing.
“Should I respond?”
“Tell her we went to get something from the car. We’ll be right back.”
I typed the lie, hating every word. But if Linda suspected we knew, she might accelerate whatever they had planned for that night.
Through the window, I could see Linda checking her phone, reading my message, then walking over to Paul. They had a quick conversation, and Paul nodded toward the parking lot. They were looking for us.
“They’re getting nervous,” Jason said.
“Good. Let them squirm.”
As we watched, Paul walked outside and started toward the parking lot. He was trying to look casual, but his movements were too purposeful. He was definitely looking for us.
“Get down,” Jason said, sliding low in his seat.
We ducked below the windows as Paul walked past our car. He stopped, looked around, then pulled out his phone. Even from inside the car with the windows up, we could hear his voice raised in frustration.
“They’re not here,” he said to whoever he was calling. “Yeah, I checked everywhere. Their car’s here, but they’re gone.”
He listened for a moment, then said, “No, we stick to the plan. Maybe they just went for a walk. We’ll proceed as scheduled.”
Proceed as scheduled.
My mother was about to be drugged and kidnapped, and they were talking about it like a business meeting.
Paul headed back toward the building, and we sat up again.
“Where are the police?” I asked.
“It’s only been ten minutes, Mom.”
Ten minutes that felt like ten hours.
Every second Mom stayed in that party, she was closer to danger. Every moment Linda and Paul had to prepare was another moment they could cover their tracks or change their plan.
“What if they decide to leave early?” I asked.
“Then we follow them.”
“But the police said not to intervene.”
“I’m not going to let them take her.”
Jason looked at me seriously.
“Mom, you realize this could get dangerous, right? People who steal from elderly relatives don’t usually stop at theft if they’re willing to drug her and commit her against her will.”
He didn’t finish, but I knew what he meant. People who crossed those lines were capable of crossing others. If Linda and Paul felt cornered, if they thought we were going to ruin their plan, what would they do to protect themselves?
“We’re not going to let it get that far,” I said with more confidence than I felt.
Red and blue lights flashed in my rearview mirror.
