Chapter 6 - The Setup
The plan was risky, bordering on suicidal.
We needed to convince Nathan and Evelyn that Richard was days away from dying.
If they thought he was about to expire, they would rush to finalize the transfer of the estate.
“We need them desperate,” Richard explained, pacing the locked bedroom.
His legs were getting stronger every day, the physical therapy I secretly helped him with paying off.
“I will call the family lawyer,” I suggested. “I’ll tell him Richard is declining rapidly.”
“No,” Richard corrected. “You’ll tell Claire. She won’t be able to keep it to herself.”
The next morning, I found Claire in the solarium, arranging orchids.
I approached her, putting on my best expression of frantic worry.
“Mrs. Vance? Could I speak with you?”
Claire sighed, snipping a stem. “What is it, Emily?”
“It’s Richard. He’s… he’s having trouble breathing today. He’s coughing up blood.”
Claire’s shears paused in mid-air.
Her eyes widened, a flash of excitement barely hidden beneath her feigned concern.
“Are you sure?” she asked breathlessly.
“I wanted to call an ambulance, but he refused. He says he just wants to rest.”
“Don’t call anyone,” Claire ordered sharply.
She set the shears down, her mind clearly racing.
“I will speak with Nathan. We will handle his medical care.”
“Yes, ma'am,” I said, bowing my head to hide my smirk.
Within an hour, the entire energy of the house shifted.
Nathan rushed home from the office early.
Evelyn arrived shortly after, looking more expectant than worried.
I stayed in Richard’s room, locking the door.
“They took the bait,” I whispered.
Richard was lying in bed, a small pouch of fake theatrical blood hidden in his cheek.
“They’ll push for the signature tonight,” he said grimly. “They can’t risk me dying intestate.”
He reached under his mattress and pulled out a small, voice-activated recorder.
“Hide this behind the books on the nightstand.”
I slipped the device into place just as heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.
“Showtime,” Richard muttered, closing his eyes.
Someone pounded heavily on the bedroom door.
May you like
“Emily! Open this door immediately!” Nathan barked.
I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves, and unlocked the deadbolt.
