16. July 24, 2021

Summary

• Holly Gibney arrives early at Meadowbrook Estates where her late mother's house is located, observing the cleaning crew who are disinfecting the place due to COVID-19, rather than for violent reasons. She collects the paperwork they left, verifying that nothing was taken from the house.
• Holly considers the frugal lifestyle of her millionaire mother, triggering emotions of resentment, anger, and disappointment. While sitting outside, she reflects on her choice of drink, mai-tais, and a personal fantasy involving a lifeguard.
• The death of Elizabeth Wharton is mentioned, Holly's meeting with detective Bill Hodges, who treats her as normal, and the tragedy of Janey Patterson's death caused by Brady Hartsfield. Holly credits Bill with her newfound independence and sense of self-worth through working at the Finders Keepers detective agency.
• Holly recalls how her mother and Uncle Henry deceived her regarding the family wealth, which was never truly lost—contrary to what they led her to believe. She ponders on her mother's manipulation and how she wished she'd recognized the deception sooner.
• Holly experiences a series of interactions: talking to neighbors who express condolences, meeting with the lawyer David Emerson and his associates to go over her mother's will, and feeling out of place as she navigates her mother's home filled with memories.
• Emerson gives Holly paperwork to sign, revealing that Holly will be inheriting a valuable collection of her mother's jewelry. Holly is overwhelmed by the revelation, once again feeling deceived by her mother's secrecy.
• Holly is torn between sorrow for her mother's death and anger over the manipulation, considering the complexities of their relationship. She reflects on her past, including dealing with an abusive boss and overcoming personal challenges.
• In a final act of rebellion and catharsis, Holly smashes her mother's collection of china figurines, getting rid of the coverlet she despised, and then decides to leave the house, choosing to focus on her work and the case at hand.