Chapter 4 - Helen's Last Promise
Helen Bennett had spent her last twelve years helping older neighbors stay in their homes. She kept receipts in shoe boxes, called strangers on their birthdays, and drove her old station wagon to the food pantry even after her hands began to shake.
Daniel had considered her work sweet but small. Sitting in the hospital that night, he realized how little he'd asked about it.
"Mom ran the Harbor House Relief Fund," Grace explained. "Your sister took over the financial side last spring when Helen got sick."
"Mallory told me Mom wanted to retire."
"That isn't what Mom told me."
She pulled out a folded note Helen had given her before entering hospice.
It read: IF THE BOOKS DON'T BALANCE, START WITH THE FOURTH ACCOUNT. DON'T TRUST THE BOARD'S SUMMARY.
"I thought she meant a bank statement," Grace said. "Now I don't know what she meant."
Reyes returned the next morning with news that at least three mourners had witnessed Mallory throw the first planter. A florist had also provided photographs taken before the service. Mallory had been waiting near the gate while Claire came out with Emma.
"This wasn't a random argument," Reyes said. "She positioned herself."
"Can you arrest her?"
"We're gathering evidence. And you need an attorney for your own actions."
Daniel nodded. He called family lawyer Nadia Park, who had known Helen long enough to call her stubborn to her face.
Nadia arrived carrying coffee nobody wanted. She read the note twice. "Helen asked me about emergency court orders two weeks ago," she said.
"For what?"
"A property transfer. She wouldn't tell me whose. She said somebody was rushing her because they thought she wouldn't live long enough to object."
Daniel felt his stomach turn. "Did she sign anything?"
May you like
"Not with me. But the funeral director called this morning. Your mother left a sealed envelope addressed to Claire."
Before Nadia could say more, the receptionist handed Daniel a visitor slip. Someone had come asking for the envelope. The name on the slip was Mallory Bennett.
