Chapter 22 - The house becomes evidence
Carter House remained partly closed for months.
Service corridor.
Basement.
Blue Ash cottage.
Police and forensic teams documented.
Then release.
What to do with wall?
Destroy it?
Leo said:
“Yes.”
So we did.
Not with sledgehammer in ceremony.
Licensed contractor.
Permits.
Structural engineer.
The old corridor section connected to drawing room was opened, cleaned, and permanently integrated into visible floor plan.
No hidden cavity.
No sealed access.
The basement door with external bolt removed.
Blue Ash cottage eventually sold after legal holds lifted.
Proceeds subject to Clara’s restitution/civil claims and secured creditors.
No magical payment to us.
Then Leo’s room.
He did not want Carter House.
So I sold? Too fast perhaps. I retained mansion but moved temporarily. Could later decide to sell. Better.
I asked:
“Do you want me to sell the house?”
He said:
“I don’t care.”
That meant do not make him choose.
So I did not.
Property stayed unused except maintenance/security.
May you like
We lived elsewhere.
Healing does not require burning architecture.
