Whenever Bill was around, she kept her head down and did as she was told. He described it exactly the same as the 'accident' Anton was told he'd gone through.Īfter that, Monica lost her fighting spirit. A month after that, Carl nearly died of injuries Bill told them was from a car accident. A month later, Derek inherited everything. So Bill said fine, he would give the assets to Derek, and she would be sorry. She would inherit all the parents' assets and he would be allowed to kill her and Carl 'when the time was right.' She told him Bill had offered a contract. She broke down and insisted on speaking to Anton privately. Derek was good at being calm under stress, and he was a good liar. Based on Derek's reaction, Anton was certain Derek knew their parents were dead and Anton strongly suspect Derek knew Bill killed them. I said I didn't care if we were late getting to Monica's and asked him to continue.Ī lawyer got hold of Derek and Monica to disperse the parents' assets as listed in their wills. Okay if I keep talking? I want you to know it all before we get to Monica's." That's why he let me know and didn't push the police any further. Our neighbor knew he'd reached that line. "It's a small town," Anton explained, "you learn early in life there are lines you don't cross. The police thanked him for it, gave him a receipt for it and when he asked about it a week later, the police said it was a shame the tape was blank. He went to police with security tapes of Bill, late at night, digging in the backyard, dragging something from the house, and tossing soil around. The neighbor who lived behind them was also a close friend. The message was clear: Bill's in charge, period.Īnton was released from hospital four days before Bill killed both of his parents, as far as he could find out. Anton was positive Bill beat him, dropped him off at the hospital and sold off Anton's car as further intimidation. But his car was gone and he lost his job because he needed time to heal and get another vehicle. No one knew which tree the car had hit, or even which road the accident happened on. The car accident clearly wasn't an accident. A doctor said most people who hit trees have much worse injuries and he was lucky Bill found him right away and brought him in. They said he was lucky Bill vouched for him or he'd be facing several offenses. Then Anton woke up in the hospital with a broken ankle, broken wrist and a black eye. He tried to get past Bill and into the house. Anton was confused, concerned and afraid. It later occurred to Anton the phrase 'look after them' was a threat. Bill said he was there to look after Anton's parents. He went on to describe Bill, a tall, pale man, who answered the door and called Anton by name. But I always rang the doorbell because, you know, it wasn’t my home anymore. A week before my mom died, I drove up to see them for my usual Saturday visit. It’s true that my folks went on a health food kick in 2015. “I don’t know who Bill is or how he’s connected to my family. Yesterday’s story didn’t add up for me so I nodded, despite serious misgivings. Especially since we’re going to Monica’s today.” It might be hard for me to say some things. “I didn’t mean to lie,” he said, shifting in his seat, “so you need to understand, I - we, all three of us kids - were conditioned to lie. With the recorder app going, he started by explaining yesterday’s conversation was a bunch of lies. He wanted me to record him, just like the day before when he told me his family secrets. It was a rare moment where I was lost for words. I must have looked quite foolish, standing there, arms out, no idea what to say. The next morning I hugged Anton and wished him the happiest birthday yet. When absolute stillness is a threat, constant action may be your only hope