CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Cyrus Walters watched as the men and women delivered the news to his wife. She looked tired and worn.
“I know it’s hard to believe,” said Sophia Ann, signing to the woman, “but we can somehow see ghosts and your husband said it was all an accident and the boy panicked.”
“He turned himself in but unfortunately the storms must have washed his body away,” signed the woman.
“We think we know where to find him. We’ll be giving instructions to the police,” said Keith.
“Your husband also said that there was some paperwork you needed to be aware of. It’s a box that holds the deed to the house, a life insurance policy, and some cash,” said Susie.
The woman smiled, standing and walking toward a buffet in the dining room. She grabbed the box and walked back.
“That’s the box,” said Cyrus. “She found the box.”
“Cyrus always thought he was protecting me, helping me by keeping everything in order. But I knew. I always knew where everything was and I always knew that I would be taken care of. I knew where he hid the box and was able to get everything I needed after he passed.”
“You’re a remarkable woman, Becky,” said Sophia Ann. “Cyrus also had a gift for you. It’s in his top dresser drawer. A fiftieth wedding anniversary gift.”
Becky found the ring, placing it on her finger and weeping silently at what should have been a joyous occasion.
A few days later, Cyrus’ body was found in the ravine, almost eleven miles from where he’d been shot. They held a formal funeral and laid him to rest in the family plot. Becky’s nightmare was over. She was alone but she knew where Cyrus was now and knew that he would always watch over her.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me find Cyrus and bury him properly. We never had children. Cyrus travelled for his job and I taught sign language to deaf children. I’m not sure what I’ll do now,” said Becky.
“You’re very welcome. I’m sure you’ll find something wonderful to occupy your time.” Keith looked at the tiny figurines lining the walls of her kitchen and smiled. She followed his gaze and grinned at him.
“Those were from Cyrus. He would travel a lot for work and bring home one from everywhere he went. They’re made by a Dutch pottery company and they’re quite collectible from what I understand.”
“Becky, those aren’t just collectible,” said Susie picking up a delicate hummingbird sitting on a flower, “they’re also highly sought after and expensive.”
“No. That can’t be. We never had a lot of extra money. I mean, we were comfortable but not wealthy.”
“I think Cyrus may have bought these for you before they became so popular. You might want to have those appraised.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” she gulped.
“I have an idea,” said Susie. She dialed the phone number of her friends back home, asking Ellie and Lily their opinion on the collection.
“Oh my,” said Lily staring at the beautiful birds. “I can assure you that I would be able to find a buyer for those tomorrow.”
“What do you think they’re worth?” asked Susie.
“Well, on first glance,” said Ellie tapping on the calculator, “somewhere around seventy-five to hundred thousand for the collection.”
“No!” gasped Becky.
“Cyrus would want you to take the money and travel. Go to all the places he visited that you never got to see. A sort of pilgrimage. You could take your friend, June, with you,” said Keith.
“June? How did you- Never mind. Travel. I could travel,” she smiled. “Can you help me sell them?”
“I absolutely can,” said Lily.
It didn’t take long to find a collector that wanted the entire collection. Becky Walters was going to travel to all the places her husband had visited. She was never able to travel with him, living vicariously through postcards and photos for all those years.
As the team prepared to leave her, she hugged them all, thanking them once again for bringing closure for her. They wished her well, smiling all the way back to the jet.
“That was one of the best things ever. I hate that she lost her husband but she seems at peace with it all,” said Keith.
“He gave her an amazing gift by buying those birds. She would have been okay in that house but now she’ll truly get to experience the world thanks to those birds,” said Sophia Ann.
“Well, here’s to them,” smiled Eric. “Fifty years of marriage and their love is still growing, even from beyond.” Keith smiled at them all.
“May we all be so lucky.”