The timestamps helped establish that certain items were introduced after the system had been cleaned and before the next morning’s complaint.
Morse said that the timing was relevant to the vandalism inquiry.
He still did not tell me who had handled the bags.
I resisted the urge to ask again.
Instead, I asked whether the police needed anything else from me.
“Not right now,” he said.
“You’ve kept the documentation in useful order.”
His compliment made me strangely proud.
I had spent so many months feeling ineffective that basic organization felt like an achievement.
On Friday, Evan Sloane arrived with a folded sheet of paper in his hand.
He remained on the sidewalk and asked whether I would come out to speak.
I did, leaving the gate between us.
Evan said his aunt had used his company name on flyers without permission.
He had discovered that residents believed he was certified by the county to install special sanitation barriers.
His actual business installed ordinary residential fences and decks.
He had no authority to issue health orders.
He showed me a copy of a flyer bearing a logo similar to his company’s, but with a different telephone number.
He said he had already sent it to his attorney and the investigators.
“I owe you an apology,” he said.
“I should have questioned her when she asked about your cameras.”
I told him I accepted the apology for coming to my house, but he would need to decide what to do about the larger situation.
He nodded.
“My mother says Vivian has always been good at making people feel like they’re helping her.”
I asked whether he had spoken to Vivian recently.
“No,” he replied.
“She says the whole family betrayed her.”
He looked down at the sidewalk.
“I still love her.”
I let the silence remain.
“I don’t think I can trust her,” he added.
I understood that the two feelings could exist together.
Evan walked away without asking me to forgive his aunt.
I respected him for that.
The following Monday, I attended a meeting at the county offices with Mara and a victim services coordinator.
The coordinator explained available support if the threats against Lucy continued to affect her sleep or sense of safety.
She recommended a child therapist familiar with stressful neighborhood conflicts.
I had resisted arranging therapy because I feared making Lucy feel like something was wrong with her.
The coordinator framed it differently.
