Chapter 5 - SILVER PINES
Silver Pines still existed.
Not a secret asylum.
A licensed neurological rehabilitation facility outside Bend.
I called Monday morning.
Privacy law meant the receptionist told me nothing.
Correctly.
I explained:
“My wife may have been treated there four years ago. I have documents suggesting I was falsely listed as estranged.”
“Sir, I cannot confirm whether anyone was a patient.”
“I understand.”
“Your attorney can send authorization or legal process.”
Lawyer.
I needed one.
By noon, I was sitting across from Helen Grant, a family attorney recommended by Officer Brooks.
She read everything.
“First question. Are you and Anna legally married?”
“Yes.”
“No divorce filing?”
“None.”
“No legal separation?”
“No.”
“Did you ever execute medical power of attorney naming Marlene?”
“No.”
“Did Anna?”
“I don’t know.”
Helen looked at the transfer form.
“Temporary incapacity can create complicated decision-making issues. We need original records.”
“Can she hide my wife in a facility?”
“Not lawfully just because she wants to.”
“Could Anna have asked for no contact?”
“Yes.”
I hated the answer.
Helen continued:
“Could Marlene have lied?”
“Yes.”
“Which?”
“Records.”
Precision.
Good.
Then Helen found something I missed.
At the bottom of the transfer form:
CONSERVATORSHIP PETITION PENDING.
“What is that?”
“Someone sought legal authority over Anna.”
“Who?”
The copy did not say.
Helen searched court records.
A case appeared.
In re: Anna F. Hale.
Filed four years earlier.
Petitioner:
Marlene Foster.
I felt my mouth go dry.
“Why didn’t I know?”
Helen clicked.
Spouse notice:
WAIVED — SPOUSE WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN.
I laughed.
A horrible sound.
“I was living in our house.”
“According to the petition, you and Anna had been separated for seven months.”
“We slept in the same bed the night before.”
Then Helen scrolled.
Supporting declaration.
Marlene Foster:
May you like
My daughter has expressed fear of her estranged husband and does not want him involved in medical decisions.
My wife had disappeared into a legal process built on the claim that she was already afraid of me.
