Walter explained that the money was his.
Legally earned.
Legally withdrawn.
Not stolen.
Not connected to any crime.
He had included copies of bank records specifically because, in his words:
I am old, not completely foolish.
But he did not include an address.
Only a phone number.
Officer Reeves called it.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
“Do you know him?” I asked.
“No.”
“Is Caleb in trouble?”
Officer Reeves looked at him.
“For buying a red dress?”
Caleb nodded.
“No, buddy.”
“Are we allowed to keep it?”
“That’s the part we need to figure out.”
One of the other officers had started opening a few of the smaller lunchboxes after confirming there was nothing dangerous inside.
Those boxes contained smaller surprises.
A ten-dollar bill.
A grocery gift card.
A handwritten note from a mother.
A drawing of Sophie in a red dress.
A cafeteria card loaded with lunch credit.
