Wednesday afternoon, my phone rang. Unknown number. I answered.
“Mrs. Patterson? This is Detective Rodriguez with the County Fraud Division.”
My blood went cold. “Yes?”
“I’m calling about a report filed by a Derek Mallerie. He claims you’ve been experiencing memory issues and have been making erratic financial decisions. He’s concerned about your welfare and suggested we do a wellness check.”
Rage, white and hot, flooded through me. “Detective, I’m sixty-three years old. I have a perfect bill of health, and my mind is sharper than it’s ever been. My son-in-law is trying to manipulate you because I stopped giving him money.”
There was a pause. “I see. Would you be willing to come in and make a statement if there’s a financial exploitation issue happening… in reverse?”
“What do you mean, in reverse?”
“If family members have been taking advantage of you financially, that’s also fraud,” he said. “Elder abuse. It’s a crime.”
I sat down heavily. “I… I need to think about that.”
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