Chapter 10 - What Colin Found in the Drawer

Colin sat at my oak table with the grocery bag unopened beside him.

He looked toward the yellow walls, the bookshelves, and the little framed photograph of Arthur near the window.

"You seem happy here," he said.

"I am."

He lowered his eyes.

"I don't think I realized how unhappy you were with us."

"I told you in a hundred small ways. You just weren't listening."

He accepted that without argument.

I poured coffee.

We spoke about Arthur's shop, about Lucas's school, and about how difficult it had been to find an affordable new rental.

Then Colin placed a folded sheet of paper on the table.

"I found this in Jessica's desk."

It was a list titled MARGARET — NEXT STEPS.

The first three items were ordinary enough.

Schedule Oakridge assessment.

Move Lucas downstairs.

Prepare bedroom.

The fourth turned my blood cold.

Secure financial authority before relocation.

Beneath it were questions about powers of attorney and bank access.

"When was this written?" I asked.

"Before the brochure dinner."

I sat very still.

Colin pressed his palms together.

"I thought she was organizing paperwork to help you."

"Did you read it at the time?"

"No."

"And now?"

"Now I don't know what she was planning."

Outside, a car door slammed.

Jessica's voice came through the screen door.

"Colin! We need to leave!"

He didn't move.

"Mom, I checked our savings yesterday. There are transfers I can't explain."

I waited.

"When I asked Jess about them, she said they were for household expenses."

"Then you need a proper account review."

"I think she's been paying someone."

"For what?"

He looked at the paper.

"I don't know."

Jessica knocked hard on the door.

I rose, but Colin reached it first.

"I'll be out in a minute," he told her.

"You said five minutes."

"I said I needed to speak with my mother."

The words surprised both of us.

When he returned to the table, he looked pale.

"I should've stood up for you."

It wasn't a full apology.

But it was the first time he had said the essential part aloud.

Then he showed me one more line at the bottom of the page.

Consult private investigator about potential hidden assets.

I looked toward the front door.

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