I closed my eyes.
“Why?”
“Money appears to have been the primary motive.”
According to the records, a development consortium had expressed interest in purchasing land around Hawthorn Orchard.
The potential deal was worth several million dollars.
But the protective property restrictions established by the Seven Oaks Circle created obstacles.
The required approvals couldn't simply be obtained by buying one house.
Agnes had tried to convince the others to release the restrictions voluntarily.
When they refused, she and Marian allegedly developed another approach.
A fraudulent elder-support operation.
Young men recruited to gain access to vulnerable residents.
False repair notices.
Questionable care transfers.
Documents presented as harmless authorizations.
And pressure intended to make women surrender financial or property rights they had spent decades protecting.
I remembered Mrs. Wilson telling me how Alex called her beautiful.
How he listened to her stories.
How he knew the music George loved.
He had been given the tools to make her trust him.
