Every time my brother-in-law drove me home, I would lose consciousness and wake up with unexplained aches and pains. My husband would only laugh and say, “You’re just out of shape, that’s all.” After the fourth ride, I secretly slipped a voice recorder into my purse and said nothing. That night, I listened to a phone conversation between the two of them that revealed my blackouts had never been accidental.

Sometimes the only available good decision is the next one.

PART 20

Julian’s trial began the following spring.

The prosecution laid out a theory connecting the arranged rides, the disputed medical documentation, and the attempted financial control.

Witnesses described the payments, communications, and movements captured by cameras.

Expert testimony addressed the limits of the available medical evidence.

The defense argued that Julian believed he was obtaining help for a struggling spouse and disputed the government’s characterization of his intent.

I testified again, this time more steadily.