I Found A Hidden Camera Inside My Smoke Detector While Changing The Battery. My Daughter And Her Husband Aren’t Just Visiting For Dinner. What Are They Really After?
Setting the Trap
The next morning, I made a decision. I wasn’t going to confront anyone directly. Not yet. Instead, I was going to document everything and let them hang themselves.
I went to an electronics store in a part of town where nobody knew me. Paid cash for a small voice-activated recorder and my own hidden camera. If they could spy on me, I could spy on them.
I installed my camera in a thermostat I wasn’t using, placed the voice recorder in a drawer in my living room, then I called Rachel.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said. Maybe I do need a checkup. I’ve been feeling off lately.”
Her voice brightened immediately.
“Oh Dad, I’m so glad you’re being reasonable. Kevin and I were really worried. In fact, I was thinking about that power of attorney thing you mentioned. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea.”
Silence, then very carefully: “Really?”
“I’m 67 years old. Your mother’s gone. You’re my only daughter. Nearby. It makes sense to have these things in order.”
“Dad, that’s so mature of you. We should definitely talk about it.”
“Why don’t you and Kevin come over this weekend? We can discuss the details.”
“We’ll be there Saturday. Thank you, Dad. Thank you for trusting us.”
After I hung up, I sat back and waited. The trap was set.
Saturday arrived. Rachel and Kevin pulled up at noon exactly. They brought flowers and a casserole, like they were visiting a sick relative. I let them in, made coffee. We sat in the living room, right under one of their cameras and right next to my hidden recorder.
“So Dad,” Kevin started, leaning forward with that salesman smile. “Rachel told me you’ve been thinking about the future. Estate planning, that kind of thing.”
“I have. At my age, you start to realize you can’t put these things off forever.”
Rachel reached over and patted my hand.
“We just want to make sure you’re taken care of. If something happened to you and there was no plan in place…”
“I understand. It’s responsible.”
Kevin pulled a folder from his briefcase. Actual physical documents.
“I took the liberty of having some papers drawn up. Just basic stuff. Power of attorney for finances, medical directive. Nothing complicated.”
He slid the papers across the coffee table toward me. I picked them up and pretended to read, but I already knew what they said. Patricia had warned me this would happen, told me exactly what to look for.
The power of attorney was immediate, not contingent on incapacity. That meant the moment I signed, Kevin and Rachel would have full control of everything. No doctor’s note required, no mental evaluation. Just my signature, and they own my life.
“This seems pretty straightforward,” I said slowly. “But I notice it says effective immediately. Shouldn’t there be something about, you know, if I become incapacitated?”
Kevin’s smile flickered.
“That’s just standard language. Easier for paperwork. Doesn’t really change anything.”
“I see.”
Rachel leaned in.
“Dad, you trust us, don’t you?”
I looked at her. Really looked at her, searching for the little girl I remembered.
“Of course I trust you, sweetheart. You’re my daughter.”
“Then just sign the papers. We’ll handle everything.”
I set the documents down.
“I’d like my lawyer to look at these first, just to be safe.”
The room went cold. Kevin’s smile disappeared.
“Your lawyer? Why would you need a lawyer?”
“Standard precaution. Patricia Chen handled your mother’s estate. She knows our family situation.”
Rachel’s hand tightened on my arm.
“Dad, lawyers just complicate things. We’re family.”
“I know you are. That’s why this should be easy. Patricia will review the documents, and if everything looks good, we’ll sign next week.”
Kevin stood up abruptly.
“This is ridiculous. We’re trying to help you, and you’re treating us like criminals.”
“I’m not treating anyone like anything. I’m just being careful.”
“Careful?” His voice rose. “You know what’s careful? Having a plan in place. Do you know what happens if you have a stroke tonight and there’s no power of attorney? We can’t even talk to your doctors. We can’t access your accounts to pay your medical bills. Everything gets frozen.”
“I appreciate your concern, Kevin, but I’m not signing anything today.”
He grabbed the folder off the table.
“Fine. Have it your way. When you’re stuck in some state-run nursing home because nobody could make decisions for you, don’t say we didn’t try.”
Rachel stood up too. Her face was different now, harder than I’d ever seen it.
“Dad, you’re making a big mistake.”
“Maybe. But it’s my mistake to make.”
They left without another word. No goodbye, no hug. Just the door slamming behind them.
