Chapter 10 - The Demand for the Collar
Eleanor held the phone away from her ear.
Calvin continued shouting.
“I know Dad hid something on that dog.”
Walter took the phone.
“What are you looking for?”
Silence.
Then Calvin said, “This is family business.”
“You sealed an animal inside a refrigerator.”
“The mutt attacked me.”
“You drove him onto property you don’t own and locked him in a metal box.”
“You can’t prove who put him there.”
Walter looked at Eleanor.
She lowered her eyes.
Calvin heard the silence.
“Mom, don’t say another word.”
Walter’s voice stayed calm.
“She already has.”
“You manipulated her.”
“No. You frightened her.”
Calvin laughed.
“She doesn’t know what day it is half the time.”
Eleanor flinched.
Walter looked directly at her.
She knew the day.
She knew the auction time.
She had remembered where Frank hid an old phone and the refrigerator key.
Calvin had been building a story about her memory because it gave him control.
“Stay away from my property,” Calvin said.
“It is Eleanor’s property.”
“Not for long.”
The call ended.
Ruth arrived at the clinic forty minutes later.
She photographed the memory card envelope, collar, key, and towel.
Then she spoke privately with Eleanor.
“Has Calvin asked you to sign anything?”
Eleanor nodded.
“A power of attorney.”
“Did you sign it?”
“He said it was for utility bills.”
Ruth’s face tightened.
“When?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“Did you read it?”
“He covered most of the page.”
Walter clenched his jaw.
Calvin may already have authority over Eleanor’s accounts and property.
Ruth checked county records from her tablet.
A deed transfer had been filed that morning.
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Eleanor’s house was scheduled to be sold to a company none of them recognized.
👉 The company’s owner was Calvin—and the sale price was one dollar.
