“She knew you wanted to help people.”
“I told her once. I was volunteering at the shelter. I said there should be a place where families could stay without feeling watched.”
“And then?”
“Then Lauren got pregnant. We needed money. I stopped going.”
I looked at the letters.
“Your mother never stopped thinking about it.”
He pressed his palms together.
“I thought she left me the house.”
“She left us an idea.”
The door opened behind us.
Nora stood on the porch holding a cardboard box.
“I was told this belonged to you,” she said.
Inside were the sale documents and the original listing photographs. She set the box down and remained at the edge of the porch.
“I wanted to apologize,” she said.
“You were deceived.”
“I ignored things that bothered me. Lauren kept insisting the paperwork was delayed because you were elderly and difficult. I should have spoken to you before accepting the listing.”
“You came here tonight.”
“After it was already too late.”
“You did the right thing once you knew.”
She nodded, but her face remained troubled.
“I resigned from the transaction. I also gave the police every email I had.”
Michael stood.
“Thank you.”
Nora looked at his cheek, where the bruise had faded to yellow.
“I am sorry.”
Michael gave a small nod.
She took a breath. “There is one thing I need to tell you. The buyer never existed.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“The proof of funds came from an account controlled by Stephen Voss. Evelyn was never buying the house. Lauren planned to take the proceeds through the closing.”
