—Read the note— Walter said. —Thomas wanted you to know the truth in his own words.
Thomas explained that my aunt Margaret had been a customer of his family’s hardware store for forty years.
Over time, she had also become his friend.
Years earlier, Thomas had discovered by chance that Raymond was secretly taking money out of Margaret’s accounts.
He had tried to warn her.
But Margaret trusted her nephew and refused to believe the accusation.
When she finally died with virtually nothing, Raymond had walked away with far more money than anyone expected.
Thomas never forgot what had happened.
Years later, he found out that I had returned to the city.
She also discovered that Raymond had started calling me regularly and asking me questions about my finances.
Thomas understood what Raymond was planning.
“Did he know?” I whispered. “Did Thomas know Raymond was trying to take advantage of me?”