She’d kept the gate key all those years and used it to access the backyard whenever I was away.
When I asked her, she didn’t even deny it.
“You gave it to me,” she said.
“To water plants while we were away.”
“You never asked for it back.”
“You told us you’d lost it.”
She shrugged. “I must’ve found it later.”
“And you never thought to return it?”
She didn’t answer.
I changed the gate lock that afternoon.
Then I reviewed more camera footage.
Over the following days, I found recordings of at least six separate gatherings during times I’d been away.
Mrs. Parker had been watching my schedule.
And using my home whenever she knew I wouldn’t be there.
The rental platform finally responded to my complaint.
They requested proof that I owned the property.
I provided the documentation, photographs, and the police incident number.
The listing was removed while the company investigated.
