On the other side of the call from the estate, voices mixed with sirens. Arthur Blake, Daniel’s brand-new father-in-law, shouted that he had the son-in-law’s permission. Denise repeated that it was only “a family move.” Megan cried that her lease had ended. One cousin insisted the house was empty and “no one would notice.”
The police noticed.
They also noticed the copied keys, the boxes labeled “library,” “master bedroom,” “office,” and “guest wing.”
When Peter sent the photos to Evelyn’s phone, she felt something sink in her chest.
They weren’t only after temporary space.
One box said: “Arthur Office.”
Another: “Parents’ Bedroom Permanent.”
Permanent.
Evelyn showed the screen to Daniel.
He read the word and stepped back as if the bl00d had drained from him.
“I didn’t know that,” he murmured.
Claire stepped forward.
“My father writes like that to stay organized. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Evelyn moved to the next photo. There was an antique desk wrapped in plastic. It was the desk Arthur intended to put inside Henry’s office.
The same office where Evelyn still kept her husband’s hat hanging behind the door.
“Does that mean nothing either?” she asked.
Claire didn’t answer.
