My Wife Died Holding a Black Button From My Brother’s Jacket—Then Her Hidden Ledger Led Me to a $41,200 Transfer

PART 1 — THE BUTTON IN HANNAH’S HAND

The black button was caught between Hannah’s fingers, with a narrow strip of navy fabric twisted beneath it.

I stopped beside the sofa with the white lilies still in my hand.

Lorraine was moving a chair two inches to the left while one of the housekeepers checked the place cards.

“Put those by the window, Nathan,” my mother said.

“The flowers should be where people can see them.”

I looked at Hannah’s hands again.

“Who arranged her like this?”

Lorraine straightened the cuff of her blouse.

“The hospital staff did what they could.

We have enough to manage without picking apart every detail.”

Caleb stood near the mantel with his hands in his pockets.

He looked at the lilies.

Then at me.

“Brother, you just got home.”

“I know.”

“You should sit down.”

I set the lilies on the side table.

One stem rolled against the vase and stopped.