Chapter 3 - Henry Carter’s Second Will
Michael denied existence of blue envelope.
Penelope no longer trusted denial.
She contacted Henry Carter’s former estate attorney, Samuel Reed.
Reed remembered Henry well.
He also remembered disagreement inside family.
Henry’s formal will left primary residence in lifetime trust for Hattie. After her death, property would pass to Michael.
Straightforward.
Except six months before Henry died, he requested draft amendment.
Who would amendment benefit?
Reed refused until legal authorization.
Penelope obtained it through counsel because Lily’s statements suggested estate dispute might be connected to abuse.
Draft changed one important clause.
House would no longer automatically pass to Michael.
Instead, after Hattie’s death, property would be sold and proceeds divided:
50% to Michael.
25% to a family education trust.
25% to a charitable foundation Henry supported.
Millions were at stake.
But draft was never executed.
At least according to Reed.
Henry canceled final signing appointment two days before death.
Why?
Unknown.
Michael said father changed mind.
Hattie agreed.
Then Reed showed Penelope photocopy of note Henry mailed after cancellation.
IF ORIGINAL BLUE PACKET SURFACES, CONTACT ME BEFORE FAMILY OPENS IT.
Blue packet.
Not envelope.
Henry had hidden something.
Maybe signed amendment.
Maybe evidence.
Michael knew enough to mention hidden paper to Lily.
Why tell six-year-old?
Lily finally explained.
Weeks earlier she had been playing hide-and-seek with grandmother’s terrier in hallway storage area.
The old kennel had been moved.
Behind it Lily found loose floorboard.
Inside was blue corner of envelope.
She pulled it partly free.
Then heard Hattie approaching.
Frightened she would be scolded for touching things, Lily pushed it somewhere else.
“Where?”
Lily shook head.
“I forgot.”
Hattie apparently saw her.
After that grandmother repeatedly asked what Lily had found.
Michael joined questions.
Penelope’s anger sharpened.
“You questioned her about estate documents?”
Michael looked ashamed.
“I asked once.”
“Lily says Grandpa hid something.”
“My mother told me Henry might have left papers.”
“And kennel?”
“I never put Lily inside it.”
Penelope showed watch frame.
“Then explain this.”
Michael stared at image.
“I can’t.”
Too smooth.
Then Samuel Reed called.
He had found another old note in Henry’s closed file.
Three lines:
THOMAS HAS THE OTHER WATCH.
IF I AM WRONG ABOUT MICHAEL, THE WATCHES WILL PROVE IT.
DO NOT LET HATTIE FIND BLUE PACKET.
Penelope read twice.
Thomas’s missing watch suddenly mattered.
So did Michael’s.
Then Reed added:
“There’s something else. Thomas Carter’s watch wasn’t missing when he died.”
“Where was it?”
May you like
“Henry had it.”
Which meant both identical watches had once been inside this house.
