When we reviewed the recordings, I recognized Mrs. Parker opening the gate for guests.
One recording showed her carrying a cooler into my backyard.
Another showed strangers using my outdoor kitchen.
The officers explained that the property access and possible fraud allegations would require further investigation.
They advised me to preserve everything.
I also contacted my insurance company because I had no idea how many people had used the pool.
The next morning, I called a locksmith.
And that’s when I discovered how Mrs. Parker had been getting inside.
Six years earlier, I’d gone on vacation with Richard, my late husband.
Mrs. Parker offered to water our plants and collect packages.
We gave her spare keys to the house and the side gate.
When we returned, she said she’d misplaced it.
We changed the house locks, but the gate lock didn’t change.
I’d forgotten about it.
Apparently, Mrs. Parker hadn’t.
