The black sedan stopped behind the police cars.
\nBefore the driver could walk around to open the door, Rosalind pushed it open herself.
\nShe stepped onto the driveway wearing one shoe.
\nHer gray hair, normally pinned so neatly that even the wind respected it, hung over one side of her face. A purple bruise circled her left wrist.
\nBut her eyes were clear.
\nAnd she was still pointing at Curtis.
\n\u201cThat man,\u201d she said. \u201cDo not let that man leave.\u201d
\nCurtis took one step backward.
\nBridget caught his arm.
\n\u201cDo not say anything,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One of the officers heard her.
\n\u201cSir, ma\u2019am, please remain where you are.\u201d
\nThe man in the gray suit climbed out of the passenger side of the sedan. He was tall, perhaps sixty, with silver at his temples and a leather folder tucked beneath his arm.
\nHe showed the officers his identification.
\n\u201cAdrian Cole. State Elder Protection Unit.\u201d
\nBridget\u2019s hand dropped from Curtis\u2019s arm.
\nThat frightened her more than the police had.
\nMr. Cole looked at me.
\n\u201cMrs. Eleanor Hale?\u201d
\n\u201cYes.\u201d
\n\u201cAre you injured?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet.\u201d
\nHis eyes moved toward Bridget\u2019s open car, the stolen silver chest on my porch and the folder in my hands.
\n\u201cIs that your property?\u201d
\n\u201cThe chest is mine. The documents are mine. The car belongs to Bridget.\u201d
\nBridget lifted her chin.
\n\u201cThey were placed in my car for safekeeping.\u201d
\nRosalind gave a weak laugh.
\n\u201cYou also placed me in Fairview for safekeeping.\u201d
\nI went to her.
\nShe smelled like hospital soap and something bitter.
\n\u201cWhat did they give you?\u201d
\n\u201cI do not know.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you stand?\u201d
\n\u201cI can stand long enough to watch your son get arrested.\u201d
\nCurtis stared at her.
\n\u201cRosalind, I was trying to help you.\u201d
\n\u201cYou told me Eleanor had fallen.\u201d
\nMy chest tightened.
\nRosalind held my arm and faced the officers.
\n\u201cHe came to my house yesterday afternoon. He said Eleanor was in the hospital and asking for me.\u201d
\nCurtis shook his head.
\n\u201cThat is not what happened.\u201d
\n\u201cHe had flowers,\u201d Rosalind continued. \u201cYellow roses. Eleanor hates yellow roses, which should have been my first clue.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not hate them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said they look apologetic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not the same as hate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite everything, Rosalind smiled at me.<\/p>\n
Then her smile disappeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe said there was no time to call. I got into his truck. He drove past the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
One officer began writing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened when you questioned him?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtis locked the doors.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not lock anything,\u201d Curtis said. \u201cThe doors lock automatically.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou increased your speed when I reached for the handle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you were trying to jump out of a moving vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was trying to escape from a moving vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is ridiculous. She is confused.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind turned toward her.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy full name is Rosalind Marie Pike. I was born on August nineteenth, nineteen forty-five. My address is fourteen Bishop Lane. My bank is First County, but my savings are not there, no matter what your spreadsheet says.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole looked sharply at the folder in my hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat spreadsheet?\u201d<\/p>\n
I handed it to him.<\/p>\n
He read the first page.<\/p>\n
Then the second.<\/p>\n
His expression did not change, but the officer beside him stopped writing and looked over his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did you find this?\u201d Mr. Cole asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder my silver chest in Bridget\u2019s car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMay I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter you give me a receipt.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked at me for a moment.<\/p>\n
Then he nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is exactly what you should request.\u201d<\/p>\n
He removed a clear evidence sleeve from his case.<\/p>\n
Bridget watched every movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a family misunderstanding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole placed the spreadsheet inside the sleeve.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Martin, my unit has been investigating Fairview Senior Residence for eleven weeks. Family misunderstandings do not normally involve property estimates for six unrelated widows.\u201d<\/p>\n
The color left Bridget\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Curtis turned to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said the investigation was closed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone heard him.<\/p>\n
Bridget closed her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtis,\u201d she said softly, \u201cstop talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
He pointed at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was her idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget\u2019s eyes opened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Denise\u2019s. I only signed what they gave me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou drove Rosalind to Fairview.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you said she had dementia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe does.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind raised her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficer, may I strike her?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I should ask first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronnie covered a cough that might have been a laugh.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole turned toward Curtis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is Denise?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife\u2019s sister.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is she now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget answered too quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, she is not.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two of them stared at each other.<\/p>\n
For the first time, I saw something stronger than their fear of me.<\/p>\n
They were afraid of Denise.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole noticed it too.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is she?\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n
Curtis said nothing.<\/p>\n
Bridget folded her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want an attorney.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are free to contact one,\u201d the officer said. \u201cBut nobody is leaving until we determine what happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind squeezed my hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cEleanor, the papers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe originals are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at her.<\/p>\n
She smiled, but it was not her bridge-club smile.<\/p>\n
It was the smile of a woman who had hidden an ace in her sleeve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe folder in Bridget\u2019s car contains copies,\u201d she said. \u201cThe originals have never been in my Buick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget stared at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree weeks ago, Denise came to my house collecting donations for the church roof.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur church repaired the roof two years ago,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know. I was on the committee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe stood in my hallway and looked at everything except me. The stairs. The locks. The mail on the table. The photographs of my sister and me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was being polite,\u201d Bridget said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were not there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget\u2019s mouth closed.<\/p>\n
Rosalind looked at Mr. Cole.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter Denise left, I called my nephew, Peter. He works in insurance investigations. He told me to make copies of anything suspicious and keep the originals somewhere nobody connected to me would search.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are they?\u201d Mr. Cole asked.<\/p>\n
Rosalind shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will tell you after my attorney arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nearly smiled.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole did.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Pike, I believe you and Mrs. Hale are going to make my job considerably easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not count on it,\u201d Rosalind said. \u201cI charge by the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n
A female officer approached Bridget\u2019s car and looked through the open back door.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Hale, you said the silver chest belongs to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you did not authorize its removal?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer looked at Bridget.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you consent to a search of the vehicle?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis spoke at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget spun toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is my car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI paid for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe title is in my name.\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer raised one hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat answers the question. Nobody touch the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n
She called something over her radio.<\/p>\n
Bridget\u2019s shoulders relaxed slightly.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole noticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat else is in that car?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a dangerous answer when we can all see stolen property through an open door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I was protecting it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom whom?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom Eleanor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis stepped away from her.<\/p>\n
Even he understood how bad that sounded.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole opened his leather folder.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Martin, are you employed by Fairview Senior Residence?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you ever received payment from Fairview?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you received payment from a company called Hearthstone Transition Services?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget did not answer.<\/p>\n
Curtis looked at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat company?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I want a lawyer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole turned to Curtis.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you heard of Hearthstone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you signed any documents bearing that name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI sign dozens of documents. I run a business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou repair swimming pools,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
Curtis glared at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a business.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have repaired three pools this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole pulled out a photograph.<\/p>\n
I could not see it clearly, but Curtis could.<\/p>\n
He stopped breathing for a moment.<\/p>\n
The photograph showed a restaurant table.<\/p>\n
Bridget sat on one side.<\/p>\n
Denise sat beside her.<\/p>\n
Curtis sat across from them.<\/p>\n
A fourth person had his back to the camera.<\/p>\n
There were envelopes on the table.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole held up a second photograph.<\/p>\n
In it, Curtis was placing one of the envelopes inside his jacket.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen was that?\u201d Bridget asked.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole ignored her.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Hale?\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis\u2019s voice was low.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a consulting payment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor what consultation?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI introduced someone to someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhich someone?\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis looked at Bridget.<\/p>\n
She looked away.<\/p>\n
I had seen him do that since he was a boy.<\/p>\n
Whenever he had broken something, he searched the room for someone who might accept part of the blame.<\/p>\n
This time, there was no one.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was in the envelope?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, stay out of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou brought it to my driveway.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not bring the police.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. You only brought forged papers, a false doctor and a plan to take my house.\u201d<\/p>\n
His face twisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were going to leave it to me anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n
The words were quiet.<\/p>\n
They hurt more because of that.<\/p>\n
I looked at my only son.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas I?\u201d<\/p>\n
He stared at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou always said the house would be mine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said this house would stay in the family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Curtis. You are a member of it. There is a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget laughed once.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou see? I told you. She was never going to give you anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis turned on her.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shut up. I lived with her for four years while you visited twice a month.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou lived here for free.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI cooked for her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou ordered food using her credit card.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI took care of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou complained every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you took every check Denise gave you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer stepped between them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
But it was not enough for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat checks?\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis looked toward the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cSmall referral payments.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor delivering women to Fairview?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not deliver anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind lifted her bruised wrist.<\/p>\n
Curtis would not look at it.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole spoke carefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearthstone Transition Services identifies elderly homeowners who may qualify for assisted living. Fairview admits them. A petition is filed claiming incapacity. Once a guardian gains control of the resident\u2019s assets, Hearthstone arranges the sale of the property.\u201d<\/p>\n
My mouth went dry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd who buys the houses?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDifferent companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOwned by whom?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are still determining that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind pointed at the spreadsheet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened to the other women?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole did not answer immediately.<\/p>\n
That was an answer itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarjorie Bell was placed at Fairview in March,\u201d he finally said. \u201cHer house sold seventeen days later.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw her at church in February,\u201d I said. \u201cShe was perfectly capable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe challenged the guardianship.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe fell at Fairview before the hearing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind\u2019s grip tightened around my hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cFell how?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe facility reported that she became disoriented during the night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid she survive?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole closed his folder.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The driveway became very still.<\/p>\n
Bridget looked at the ground.<\/p>\n
Curtis whispered something I could not hear.<\/p>\n
I stepped toward him.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He did.<\/p>\n
His eyes were wet.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not know anyone would get hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not the same as not knowing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they were moving people who could not live alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou thought they would pay you thousands of dollars for being helpful?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not thousands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget made a disgusted sound.<\/p>\n
Curtis turned toward her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou told me it was legal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is legal when the paperwork is done correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rosalind stared at her.<\/p>\n
A police officer reached for his handcuffs.<\/p>\n
Bridget saw it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not mean that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you did,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
The officer placed Bridget\u2019s hands behind her back.<\/p>\n
She did not resist.<\/p>\n
Instead, she looked directly at Curtis.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell them about Walter.\u201d<\/p>\n
My heart stopped.<\/p>\n
Curtis went pale.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget smiled.<\/p>\n
It was the first honest expression I had seen on her face all day.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour precious mother deserves to know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis moved toward her, but an officer blocked him.<\/p>\n
\u201cBridget,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n
She raised her voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsk him why your husband changed his will three days before he died.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at my son.<\/p>\n
Walter had died fourteen years ago.<\/p>\n
He had suffered a heart attack in our bedroom shortly after midnight. Curtis had arrived before the ambulance because he lived only two streets away then.<\/p>\n
Walter\u2019s will had been signed nine years earlier.<\/p>\n
I knew because I was sitting beside him in Harold Finch\u2019s office when he signed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is she talking about?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
Curtis shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is trying to distract you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWas there another will?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtis.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget laughed again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why did you pay Denise to make it disappear?\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer holding her tightened his grip.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop speaking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a right to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou requested an attorney.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI changed my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Martin, where is this will?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget looked at Curtis.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should have given me the house when I asked.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtis\u2019s face crumpled with rage.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said the copies were destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI said yours were.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Cole watched them both.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is the document?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the car.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every face turned toward the vehicle.<\/p>\n
The officer who had requested consent looked at Mr. Cole.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need the warrant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is already being prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget smiled at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou changed the locks one day too late, Eleanor.\u201d<\/p>\n
I walked toward her.<\/p>\n
Ronnie reached for my arm, but I shook him off.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did Walter\u2019s will say?\u201d<\/p>\n
She leaned closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat the house never belonged to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a moment, I heard nothing.<\/p>\n
Not the police radios.<\/p>\n
Not the traffic at the end of the street.<\/p>\n
Not Rosalind saying my name.<\/p>\n
I heard Walter\u2019s voice from fifty-two years earlier, standing in the empty dining room while rain struck the windows.<\/p>\n
Our house, Ellie.<\/p>\n
He had said our house.<\/p>\n
We had chosen every room together.<\/p>\n
I had paid the mortgage from my nursing salary during the two years his business nearly failed.<\/p>\n
I had scrubbed the floors, planted the maples and held his hand in the bedroom where he died.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean it never belonged to me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bridget\u2019s smile faded when she saw that I was not breaking.<\/p>\n
She had expected tears.<\/p>\n
Instead, I took one step closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhose name was in the will?\u201d<\/p>\n
She glanced toward the black sedan.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsk your friend Rosalind.\u201d<\/p>\n
I turned.<\/p>\n
Rosalind looked as confused as I felt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have never seen Walter\u2019s will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is not what I meant,\u201d Bridget said.<\/p>\n
A judge approved the vehicle search twenty-six minutes later.<\/p>\n
Nobody left the driveway.<\/p>\n
Curtis sat on the curb with his head in his hands.<\/p>\n
Bridget remained in handcuffs.<\/p>\n
Rosalind sat beside me on the porch while Ronnie brought us water from his truck.<\/p>\n
The officers photographed the silver chest, the folder and every visible item before touching anything.<\/p>\n
Then they opened the trunk.<\/p>\n
There were three more boxes inside.<\/p>\n
The first contained jewelry.<\/p>\n
Not mine.<\/p>\n
Rosalind recognized a pearl necklace that belonged to Judith Crane.<\/p>\n
The second contained blank medical forms, two rubber signature stamps and a notary seal registered to a woman who had died the previous year.<\/p>\n
The third box was filled with medication.<\/p>\n
Small bottles.<\/p>\n
Plastic packets.<\/p>\n
Disposable syringes.<\/p>\n
One officer called Mr. Cole over.<\/p>\n
He examined a bottle and looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Hale, who is your physician?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Samuel Kent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHas he prescribed you anything recently?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood pressure tablets. Nothing else.\u201d<\/p>\n
He held up the bottle.<\/p>\n
My name was printed on the label.<\/p>\n
ELEANOR HALE.<\/strong><\/p>\n The prescribing doctor was the same physician whose signature appeared on the emergency guardianship petition.<\/p>\n The instructions read:<\/p>\n TAKE TWO TABLETS AT BEDTIME BEFORE EVALUATION.<\/strong><\/p>\n Rosalind stood so quickly that her water spilled.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is what they gave me.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Cole looked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you certain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw the packet before the nurse opened it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did it do?\u201d<\/p>\n Rosalind touched the side of her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI could hear people speaking, but I could not answer properly. I could not walk straight. When they asked me what year it was, I knew the answer, but my mouth would not say it.\u201d<\/p>\n I looked at Curtis.<\/p>\n He was no longer sitting on the curb.<\/p>\n He had moved behind the second police car.<\/p>\n \u201cCurtis.\u201d<\/p>\n He began to run.<\/p>\n He made it as far as the neighbor\u2019s hedge before Ronnie caught him.<\/p>\n The officers pulled them apart and forced Curtis onto the grass.<\/p>\n As they handcuffed him, something fell from his jacket.<\/p>\n A small brass key.<\/p>\n Bridget saw it and screamed.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not let them take that!\u201d<\/p>\n An officer picked it up.<\/p>\n A white paper tag was tied to it with string.<\/p>\n On one side was a bank\u2019s name.<\/p>\n On the other was a number.<\/p>\n Rosalind stared at it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is a safe-deposit key.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Cole held it beneath Curtis\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is in the box?\u201d<\/p>\n Curtis pressed his lips together.<\/p>\n Bridget shouted from the driveway.<\/p>\n \u201cThe real will.\u201d<\/p>\n Curtis closed his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the recording,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n His eyes opened.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat recording?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n Bridget looked at me.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one Walter made the night he died.\u201d<\/p>\n A chill moved through my body.<\/p>\n Curtis struggled against the officers.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is lying!\u201d<\/p>\n Bridget continued as if he had not spoken.<\/p>\n \u201cWalter knew someone was stealing from him. He knew he did not have much time. So he recorded everything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything about what?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked past me toward the house.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout Curtis.\u201d<\/p>\n My son stopped struggling.<\/p>\n Bridget smiled again.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd about you, Eleanor.\u201d\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n