“If I take this to the police tonight, Jason’s lawyers will have it tied up in red tape before the sun rises,” she said.

“And the board?” I asked.

“The board of directors is meeting tomorrow morning at nine o’clock,” she said, looking at the grandfather clock ticking in the corner. “They are voting on whether to declare Ethan permanently incapacitated.”

“If they do that, Jason takes full control of the estate,” I said. “He will have the power to sign Ethan’s life support waiver.”

Vivian stood up, using her cane to support her weight as she walked around the desk.

She stood close to me, so close I could see the fine web of wrinkles around her eyes and the cold determination within them.

“You have a great deal of courage, Sarah,” she said quietly. “Or you are very foolish.”

“I want Ethan to live,” I said simply. “That is the only reason I am still in this house.”

She looked at the burner phone on her desk, then back at me.

“Jason has three board members completely in his pocket,” she said. “The rest are undecided, waiting to see which way the wind blows.”