“I have Emma.”
Marian smiled at me.
“Of course.”
Then her eyes moved toward the old Seven Oaks photograph lying on the sideboard.
For the first time, her expression became tense.
“Where did you find that?”
Mom looked confused.
“It's mine.”
Marian stood and approached the picture.
She studied the faces.
Then said softly, “Mother always loved this photograph.”
I watched her.
“Agnes?”
Marian nodded.
“She used to say the Seven Oaks Circle was the proudest achievement of her life.”
Her eyes filled.
“I miss her terribly.”
For a moment, I almost felt guilty for suspecting her.
Then Marian turned the photograph over.
Her thumb moved across the handwritten date.
She looked toward Mom.
“Ruth, do you still have the original trust documents?”
Mom went very still.
“Why?”
“Because the police may need them.”
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Detective Ortiz hasn't asked us for the originals,” I said.
Marian smiled.
