He didn't say that aloud.
He didn't want to frighten Ruth with speculation.
Instead, he helped her finish the flowerbed.
Then they went inside to organize the documents.
Ruth's neighbor arrived shortly before noon.
Her name was Evelyn Harper.
She was seventy-six, had lived across the road for thirty-one years, and drove an aging red pickup that made a rattling sound whenever it climbed the hill.
Evelyn was small, energetic, and opinionated.
She wore gardening gloves even when she wasn't gardening and had a habit of bringing homemade cookies to any conversation she expected might become unpleasant.
When she entered the house, she placed a tin on the table.
“Chocolate chip.”
Ruth smiled.
“You didn't have to.”
Evelyn waved away the objection.
Then she looked toward Bear.
“You're the motorcycle man.”
He nodded.
“Caleb Mercer.”
She studied him.
“Ruth told me about you.”
Bear smiled.
“Hope she was kind.”
Evelyn looked toward Ruth.
“She says you were rescued by Thomas in Vietnam.”
Bear's expression softened.
“Yes, ma'am.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Then you're family enough for me.”
Bear almost laughed.
The older woman sat.
Nora joined the conversation by video call.
She asked Evelyn about March 18.
The neighbor remembered the date clearly.
She had taken Ruth to Knoxville for a cardiology appointment.
They left shortly after eleven.
The appointment was scheduled for early afternoon but delayed.
Afterward, they stopped at a pharmacy and a small grocery store.
They didn't return to Cedar Hollow until evening.
Evelyn remembered because her granddaughter had called while they were waiting at the pharmacy.
She'd written the details in her own calendar.
Nora asked whether she could provide copies of relevant records and a formal statement if needed.
Evelyn agreed immediately.
“Of course.”
She leaned toward the phone.
“And I want you to know something else.”
Nora looked interested.
“What?”
“That man who came pretending to help Ruth with taxes came to my house too.”
The room became still.
Ruth stared at her.
“He did?”
Evelyn nodded.
“Two days later.”
Bear leaned forward.
“What did he want?”
“He asked whether I owned my home outright and whether I qualified for senior assistance.”
Nora's expression changed.
“Did you give him any documents?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“No.”
“Why not?”
The neighbor smiled grimly.