Chapter 10 - The Keys
Two weeks later, the morning sun was reflecting brilliantly off the surface of Lake Tahoe.
I sat on the mahogany deck, a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea in my hand. The moving boxes were completely unpacked. Arthur’s antique workbench was set up in the heated garage, holding my gardening tools.
David had filed the papers. Valerie had signed them without a single objection.
Her parents didn't come to Boca. Rumor through David's colleagues was that they had hastily relocated to a non-extradition country, terrified that Thorne's ghost would eventually catch up with them. They were running, and they would be running for the rest of their lives.
I took a sip of my tea. The steam rose, but it was no longer a warning. It was just warmth.
My phone buzzed on the patio table. It was my broker.
"Morning, Margaret," he said. "I just wanted to confirm the paperwork went through on the new trust. You're fully funded, and the Lake property is entirely in the clear."
"Thank you, Richard," I said.
"Have you given any thought to what you're going to do with all those extra bedrooms? It's a massive estate for one person."
I looked out at the private dock, where a pair of mallards were floating peacefully on the glassy water.
"I'm keeping them exactly as they are," I said. "My son is moving in next week. We're going to fix up an old boat."
"Sounds wonderful, Margaret. Enjoy the view."
I hung up the phone. I reached into my cardigan pocket and pulled out the heavy iron skeleton key that unlocked the vault downstairs. I ran my thumb over the cold metal.
Arthur had been a meticulous man. He knew exactly how to fix broken things. And sometimes, the only way to fix a foundation is to expose the rot, clear it out, and build something stronger on top of it.
May you like
I tossed the iron key into the deep, icy waters of Lake Tahoe. It sank without a splash.
I didn't need it anymore. The vault was empty, and the house was finally mine.
