Chapter 5 - The TrapWe didn't confront Lauren publicly.
Instead, we let her believe we were still confused.
Jared went home.
He told her he was worried about my memory.
He told her he wanted to help me.
He asked her to explain the finances.
She relaxed.
That was the mistake.
She began sending documents.
Receipts.
Invoices.
Transfer confirmations.
Medical bills.
Everything.
Martin analyzed them.
Half were fabricated.
Some invoices came from companies that didn't exist.
Others belonged to businesses owned by Lauren's friends.
Then we found the largest transfer.
$250,000.
It had gone to a private investment account in Nevada.
The beneficiary was Lauren.
Jared stared at the statement.
“She told me she invested for our future.”
I looked at him.
“Did you authorize this?”
“No.”
“Then it wasn't yours to give.”
He nodded.
That evening, Lauren sent another document.
A statement claiming I had received $8,000 for personal care.
I smiled.
I had never received a dollar.
Martin highlighted the signature.
Forged.
Then we set the trap.
Jared told Lauren he wanted to increase the monthly payment.
“Dad needs better care,” he said.
Lauren immediately agreed.
“How much?”
“$12,000.”
Her response came within seconds.
“That's probably enough.”
Martin looked at me.
“She's going to move more money.”
Exactly.
Three days later, Lauren opened another account.
She transferred $24,000 into it.
But this time, investigators were watching.
The account was frozen.
Then Lauren made another mistake.
She called the bank.
She claimed she was acting under my power of attorney.
The bank asked for verification.
She provided the forged document.
That was enough.
Investigators moved.
A warrant was issued.
The next morning, federal agents arrived at Lauren's office.
Jared received the call while sitting beside me.
He looked stunned.
“They arrested her.”
I closed my eyes.
For a moment, I felt nothing.
No satisfaction.
No anger.
Just exhaustion.
Then Jared asked:
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
I looked at the single can of soup still sitting in my kitchen.
I had kept it.
Not because I needed it.
May you like
Because it reminded me.
“I will be.”
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