Chapter 8 - The Care Facility That Was Waiting for Her|
“Permanent admission?”
Teresa repeated the words as though they belonged to another language.
Anthony nodded reluctantly.
“That's what the facility said, ma'am.”
Luca stood motionless.
Then he reached for the telephone.
“Put them on speaker.”
The call connected to a woman who introduced herself as the admissions coordinator at Lakeview Senior Residence.
“Mr. Moretti,” she said pleasantly, “we were expecting confirmation about your mother's arrival tomorrow morning.”
Luca's voice was dangerously calm.
“Who made this arrangement?”
“Our records list Ms. Isabella Bellini as the primary family contact.”
Teresa's fingers tightened around mine.
Luca continued.
“Did my mother personally request admission?”
There was a pause.
“According to the documents submitted, yes.”
“Did anyone from your facility speak directly with her?”
Another pause.
“I'd need to review the intake notes.”
Luca glanced at Detective Harris.
The detective nodded for him to continue.
“My mother is sitting beside me,” Luca said. “She's telling me she has never agreed to move into your facility.”
The coordinator's voice changed.
“Oh.”
Teresa leaned toward the telephone.
“This is Teresa Moretti.”
“Mrs. Moretti?”
“Yes. And I would like to know why anyone thinks I'm moving out of my home.”
The woman sounded genuinely alarmed.
“Ma'am, I apologize. We were provided with signed authorization documents.”
“I signed nothing.”
Harris stepped closer.
“This is Detective Daniel Harris. I'm investigating allegations involving possible fraudulent documentation. Please preserve the original application, electronic communications, payment records, and any other related materials.”
The coordinator agreed to contact the facility's legal department.
When the call ended, Teresa sat very still.
I watched her face.
She wasn't crying.
That worried me more.
“Mrs. Moretti?”
She looked at me.
“Emma, would you bring me some water?”
“Of course.”
I returned with a glass.
She took one sip.
Then looked toward Luca.
“Were you going to let her send me away?”
His expression crumpled.
“No, Ma.”
“Did you know?”
“No.”
She studied his face.
Then nodded slowly.
“I believe you.”
Luca knelt beside her.
“But I should have seen what was happening.”
“Yes,” Teresa said.
The honesty hurt him.
But she wasn't finished.
“You should have seen how she treated me. How she treated Emma. How she spoke over everyone who couldn't fight back.”
Luca lowered his head.
“I know.”
Teresa touched his cheek.
“I don't need a son who frightens everyone, Luca.”
He looked up.
“I need a son who listens.”
His eyes filled with tears.
For a moment, the feared Luca Moretti looked like a boy ashamed of disappointing his mother.
“I hear you now,” he whispered.
Teresa nodded.
“Then that's where we begin.”
That afternoon, Detective Harris obtained further information about the facility.
It was a legitimate residential care center, but the application submitted on Teresa's behalf contained several suspicious details.
It listed her as unable to manage basic daily activities.
It claimed she experienced severe memory impairment.
And it named Isabella as the person authorized to make major decisions.
None of those claims had been verified through an independent evaluation.
When Teresa saw the documents, she became furious.
“Unable to manage daily activities?”
She pointed at the page.
“I balance my own accounts. I read two newspapers every morning. I choose my clothes, my meals, and my appointments.”
Then she looked at me.
“Emma, what did I have for breakfast yesterday?”
I smiled.
“Scrambled eggs, toast, half a grapefruit, and coffee.”
Teresa turned toward Luca.
“And I complained because the grapefruit was too sour.”
Despite everything, he laughed.
“Yes, Ma.”
She lifted her chin.
“I may need help with stairs, but that doesn't mean someone else gets to decide my future.”
Nobody argued.
Later, Arthur Whitcomb arrived with a second attorney who specialized in protecting older adults from financial exploitation.
They explained that the purported authorization would be challenged and that Teresa's rights could be protected while the documents were examined.
Teresa listened carefully.
Then said, “I want the person who forged my signature held responsible.”
Arthur nodded.
“So do we.”
That evening, the laboratory results from the first medical tests arrived.
Dr. Reed explained that the findings were not enough by themselves to establish exactly what Teresa had been given on earlier evenings.
However, the recovered bottle was being tested separately, and investigators were checking the pharmacy records.
Then a new discovery changed everything.
The pharmacy had filled the prescription using information supplied electronically by a medical practice.
The prescriber's name was Dr. Malcolm Pierce.
I had never heard of him.
Neither had Teresa.
But Luca recognized the name.
His expression became grim.
“Pierce?”
Anthony looked up.
“You know him, boss?”
Luca nodded slowly.
“He's a friend of Isabella's father.”
Detective Harris opened his notebook.
“What kind of friend?”
Luca hesitated.
Then answered.
“He's been treating Victor Bellini for years.”
I watched the color drain from Teresa's face.
The questionable prescription.
The suspicious financial transfers.
The unauthorized facility admission.
Everything seemed to lead back to Isabella's family.
Then Arthur Whitcomb received an email.
He opened it.
Read the first line.
And went pale.
“What is it?” Luca asked.
Arthur looked toward Teresa.
“Someone has filed an emergency petition asking a court to appoint a temporary guardian over your mother.”
Teresa stared.
“On what grounds?”
Arthur swallowed.
“The petition alleges she's being manipulated by household employees.”
My heart stopped.
May you like
Then he looked directly at me.
“Emma, your name is in it.”
