Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Never Moved
Mrs. Evelyn Price lived in a narrow house behind the train tracks. She opened the door with a chain still on. "I already told the charity people I can't give back money I never got."
Daniel introduced himself. At the mention of Helen, the old woman's expression crumpled.
"Your mother brought groceries when I couldn't walk to the store," she said. "She was the only person who believed me."
Mrs. Price's husband had died two years before. Harbor House records, according to Helen's notes, still showed monthly assistance paid in his name. The payments were marked as delivered, but Evelyn hadn't seen a dollar.
"Then came the eviction notice," she said. "It said the relief fund wouldn't help me anymore because my husband was getting benefits. He's buried at St. Agnes. They could have checked."
Nadia photographed the eviction notice with Evelyn's permission. Daniel stood in the doorway, ashamed of every time he'd told Helen she worked too hard.
"Did you tell my sister?" he asked.
"Once. She said your mother was getting forgetful and I should stop bothering a dying woman."
On their way out, Evelyn caught his sleeve. "Helen said she'd bring somebody who could read a bank statement without looking away. She promised."
"I'll try to keep it."
"Don't try to be a hero," Evelyn said. "Just tell the truth. Heroes go home. Truth has to stay."
Outside, Nadia's phone rang. A notice had been filed to sell Helen's little house. The listed seller was Mallory. The closing was scheduled for Friday.
Daniel stared at the message. "She hasn't even finished burying Mom."
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"That's why she's rushing," Nadia replied. "Your mother owned half the house in a trust. Somebody may be counting on everyone being too overwhelmed to object."
Then a second notification arrived: the signature on the transfer paperwork had been witnessed six days after Helen lost the ability to hold a pen.
