But before I got my son back, I had to destroy Chelsea. And for that, I needed more than just recordings. I needed a perfect trap.
The next morning, I woke up with a clarity I hadn’t felt in years. No more tears, no more doubts. Just one objective: destroy Chelsea Brooks before she destroyed what little was left of my family.
I brewed strong coffee and sat at the dining table with my old investigation notebook. Linda would arrive in an hour. Ethan was still sleeping. He needed that rest after yesterday.
I started writing down everything we knew.
Physical evidence: candlestick with Ethan’s blood at Rob’s house. We could not touch it without a court order.
Testimonial evidence: recording of Chelsea threatening Ethan, talking about selling my house, mentioning Gerald.
Background: three previous marriages. Two suspicious deaths. One disappearance. Millions of dollars inherited.
Accomplice: Gerald Hayes, lawyer. Handles the legal part of the scams.
But something bothered me. All of that was circumstantial. A good lawyer could dismantle our case by saying the recordings were taken out of context, that the previous marriages proved nothing, that we were a resentful grandmother and grandson inventing stories.
I needed more. I needed Chelsea to incriminate herself so clearly that not even the best lawyer could save her.
Linda arrived promptly at eight. She brought two extra coffees and a look like she hadn’t slept well.
“What do you have in mind, Commander? I know that expression. It’s the same one you wore when we were about to solve a difficult case.”
I smiled slightly.
“We are going to set a trap for Chelsea,” I said. “But for that, I need her to believe I’m vulnerable, that I’m defeated.”
“How?” Linda asked.
“I’m going to do something that goes against every instinct I have. I’m going to give her exactly what she wants.”
Linda frowned.
“I don’t follow you.”
I took an envelope from my bag. Inside were documents I had prepared the night before while I couldn’t sleep. Documents for the voluntary transfer of my property into Rob’s name. Signed by me.
Linda’s eyes widened.
“Commander, you can’t be serious.”
“They’re not real. Well, the documents are real, but they have a hidden clause in fine print that automatically invalidates them if coercion, threat, or fraud is proven. A notary friend helped me prepare them last night. They look legitimate, but legally they are worth nothing if there’s pressure involved.”
“And how are you going to make Chelsea bite the bait?” Linda asked.
“I’m going to contact her. I’m going to tell her I’m tired of fighting, that I want peace, that I’m willing to sign my house over to Rob if she leaves Ethan alone. But with one condition: I want her and her lawyer to come to my house personally to close the deal. And while they are here, I record them. Everything—every word, every threat, every confession that slips out. Because people like Chelsea can’t resist boasting when they think they’ve won. They will want me to know that they defeated me. And in that moment, they will drop their guard.”
Linda leaned back in the chair, processing the plan.
“It’s risky. If she realizes the trap, she could become violent.”
“That’s why you are going to be here, hidden in my room. And I’ll have hidden cameras throughout the living room and dining room. Professional quality audio and video. All legal because it’s my house and I have the right to record what happens inside it.”
“And what if she accepts the documents and simply leaves without saying anything incriminating?” Linda asked.
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