"Ernest!" When I called his name, I reached out and grabbed his arm.

He looked at me, and I looked back at him, my eyes trembling, my lips quivering...

Though I hadn't said a word, he understood me. When my throat felt like it was on fire from the pain, he spoke up in a raspy voice, "We need an answer."

With that, he pulled away from my grasp, took the envelope, and opened it.

His movements were swift, almost as if he feared any delay might give me a chance to stop him.

The paper inside had aged to a yellow hue, but I didn't look at it.

Ernest, however, read each line carefully, then turned his gaze to Officer Sampson, as if seeking confirmation on something.

"I knew what this assessment would imply. That's why, back then, I had three different auto repair shops evaluate it. Their findings are all in this envelope," Officer Sampson's words prompted Ernest to open the envelope again.

Each document had also yellowed with time, but all were signed and stamped.

the assessment was based on

he

to look; I already

the papers. Officer Sampson spoke to me, "Felicia, take a look. If you have

at Officer Sampson, who nodded encouragingly. With

traffic accident

to be caused by a brake system failure after

operator of the vehicle and had not lent it to anyone. Thus, significant suspicion falls on the driver, Carl Collins. Since Cart Collins himself perished in the accident, the intention behind the

determined without his testimony.

be fully

laughable that it was never filed. But since you, as the children of those involved, wanted to

look forward," Officer Sampson

left, leaving Ernest and me alone by

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