“Mrs.

Briggs set up this trust for her own home and her grandchildren’s future,” Arthur had told him.

“The house isn’t for sale.”

Daniel never called back after that.

I raised the blue mug in both hands and felt the warmth sink into my fingers.

The quiet of the street reached three blocks in every direction, no lawnmowers, no delivery trucks, and no voices quarreling over spreadsheet totals in the next room.

Chloe would arrive Saturday morning at nine.