"She didn't make it," I whispered, sinking onto the sofa.
Holt nodded gently. "I'm sorry. I know you helped her yesterday, a neighbor told us. And we checked her porch camera to confirm her last movements. We saw her place something in your mailbox right before she sat down for the last time."
I stared at him. "She... put something in my mailbox? What?"
He nodded.
I gripped the couch, mind spinning. "What could she possibly have left for me?"
Holt offered a small, sad smile. "Let's find out together."
"I know you helped her yesterday."
***
Outside, a neighbor's kid rode his bike up and down the sidewalk, shooting glances at my house. Ms. Pearson from across the street stood on her porch, arms crossed.
My hands shook as I fumbled with the mailbox key. It felt heavier than usual, the sharp edges biting my palm. I opened the box, heart in my throat.
Inside was a thick manila envelope, my name written in careful script. Holt nodded for me to take it. I pulled it out, another, thinner envelope tucked behind, stamped with the bank's logo and the words "PAID IN FULL" in red.
My knees buckled.
Holt caught my arm. "You alright?"
My knees buckled.
"I, I don't understand," I whispered, breathless. "How...?"
He nodded at the letter in my trembling hands. "Let's open it together."
My fingers fumbled with the flap. Papers slid out, legal forms, the deed, and a folded note with my name. I passed the note to Holt, unable to read through the blur of tears.
"May I?" he asked gently.
I nodded, lips pressed tight.
Holt unfolded the note carefully, then took off his hat and turned a little toward me, lowering his voice.
"Let's open it together."
"I'm not usually the one doing this kind of thing," he said, almost apologetically.
"Ariel —
After you left, I noticed one of your letters had slipped from the stack you were carrying. I know I shouldn’t have read it, but when I saw the word foreclosure, I couldn’t ignore it.
After you went home for your nap, I called my banker and took Walter's 'rainy day' fund straight to the bank. I signed the papers myself.
"I couldn’t ignore it."
