The detective called another investigator.
Then she looked at us.
“We've confirmed enough to treat this as a significant development.”
Mom sat down.
Her hands shook violently.
“Agnes was my friend.”
I wrapped an arm around her.
“I know.”
“She held you when you were a baby.”
My heart tightened.
“She was at your father's funeral.”
Tears streamed down Mom's cheeks.
“She brought food when I was too heartbroken to cook.”
I held her.
For years, Agnes had been woven into our family's history.
Now we were discovering that she might have used those relationships to hurt the very people who trusted her most.
Detective Ortiz sat opposite us.
“Ruth, I need to ask you something. Did Agnes ever discuss selling the Seven Oaks properties before the recent approach from Silver Hearth?”
Mom nodded.
“Several times.”
“Did she seem angry when the others refused?”
“Yes.”
The detective made a note.
