The final irony settled into its proper shape slowly, the way large things do. Diane had hired Harwick to destroy Sarah. Harwick had pulled comprehensive records to build their fabricated case and, in doing so, had assembled the most complete financial picture of the real theft anyone could have asked for.
Months later, a courier arrived at Sarah’s door with a small envelope. Inside, wrapped carefully in tissue, were the pearl earrings—recovered from the jewelry dealer by the court, returned as part of the estate restitution. There was no note. Sarah finally put the earrings on and went to make dinner. She wanted the day to be ordinary.