PART 2: THE PERFECT PUBLIC SCENE

I met Marcus at a roadside diner two days later.

David had contacted him again and offered extra money for photographs showing me confused or drinking in public.

“When?” I asked.

“Saturday. He said he would send the address.”

That evening, David poured himself a drink and announced that he had made a dinner reservation for us on Saturday.

It was a restaurant near the lake cabin.

Everything became clear.

He intended to place me in public, encourage me to drink, and have Marcus photograph me. The restaurant was close enough to the cabin to support a story that I had driven there while confused.

I smiled.

“That sounds perfect.”

After David went upstairs, I sent Karen one word:

Saturday.

By the time the evening arrived, we had prepared carefully.

Marcus had given Karen a sworn statement. His payment records showed transfers linked to David. The guardianship petition had already been filed with the court, meaning Karen could legally obtain copies without using anything I found in his office.