Mia Was Blamed for Taking Something From Aunt Rebecca’s Package — Then the Porch Camera Showed Who Really Reached Into the Box
Chapter 4 — Edward’s Letter to Walter
Rebecca wanted to open the envelope.
Lauren stopped her.
“It’s addressed to Walter.”
Rebecca looked frustrated.
“He just stole from my porch.”
“Then call him here and make him open it.”
Walter finally answered an hour later.
His voice sounded tired.
Rebecca didn’t bother with greetings.
“I have you on camera.”
Walter was silent.
“Bring the medal back.”
“Rebecca—”
“Now.”
Walter arrived twenty minutes later.
He carried the blue velvet case in both hands.
Mia watched from inside the house.
Walter placed it on the kitchen table.
“I shouldn’t have taken it.”
Rebecca nodded.
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
Lauren placed Edward’s envelope beside the medal.
Walter stared at his own name.
His hands started shaking.
“Where was this?”
“Inside Grandpa’s box.”
Walter sat down.
Then opened it.
The letter was six pages long.
Edward began:
Walter, if you’re reading this, then I failed to tell you while I still had the courage to look you in the eye.
Walter stopped.
Rebecca and Lauren exchanged a glance.
He continued.
Edward wrote that Frank Ellis had been his closest friend.
They served together.
Frank received the silver medal after helping save two men during a training accident.
But years later, something happened that destroyed Frank’s reputation.
Military supplies disappeared from a warehouse.
Frank was accused of taking them.
He denied everything.
Most people didn’t believe him.
Including Walter.
Walter lowered the letter.
“I told my own brother not to come home until he admitted what he’d done.”
Lauren asked quietly:
“Did he?”
Walter shook his head.
“He died before I saw him again.”
Then he returned to Edward’s letter.
The next paragraph changed everything.
Frank was telling the truth.
