When Daniel learned about the investigation, he returned to Evelyn's house.
He found her sitting at the kitchen table, sorting through old documents.
"Ma'am, we need to talk."
She looked up.
"Of course."
He placed a folder on the table.
"We believe the complaint against you was fabricated."
Evelyn went still.
"What?"
"The people who called the police may have been working for Richard Vale."
She slowly lowered the papers in her hand.
"Richard Vale?"
Daniel nodded.
"He wants to buy the church property."
Evelyn closed her eyes.
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "Your father would have hated this."
Daniel sat beside her.
"Tell me about the foundation."
Evelyn took a deep breath.
After Samuel died, several members of the church had worked together to protect the property. They established a charitable foundation, ensuring that the old school and surrounding land would remain available for community use.
The foundation had helped families find housing, provided scholarships, and operated a small food pantry.
Over the years, many of its original trustees had died or moved away.
Evelyn had remained.
She was responsible for maintaining the records and ensuring that the property was not sold without community approval.
Richard Vale had approached her six months earlier.
He wanted to purchase the land and build a commercial development.
Evelyn had refused.
"He offered me money," she said.
Daniel frowned.
"How much?"
"Enough to buy a new house and live comfortably for the rest of my life."
She looked at him.
"But that land belongs to the children."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"What happened after you refused?"
Evelyn sighed.
"He began sending letters. Then people started appearing outside the house. Someone broke the lock on the church office."
She paused.
"Last week, I found a folder missing from the filing cabinet."
Daniel opened his folder.
"Was it this one?"
Evelyn looked at the documents.
Her eyes widened.
"Yes."
Daniel explained that the folder contained the original property records and copies of correspondence between the foundation and the county land office.
The records showed that the property had been placed under permanent charitable protection.
Richard Vale could not legally purchase it without approval from the foundation's trustees and the county court.
But if the records disappeared, he might be able to claim that the foundation had abandoned its rights.
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
"Then he wanted the folder."
Daniel nodded.
"And he wanted you discredited before you could report it missing."
Evelyn's hands began to tremble.
Daniel reached across the table.
"I'm sorry."
She looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because I helped him."
Evelyn shook her head.
"You didn't know."
Daniel's voice broke.
"But I should have asked questions."