Chapter 5 - HARRIET COLE
Harriet called three days later.
Her voice sounded exhausted.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“My mother died the day after Tavian.”
I stopped.
“God. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
Then:
“I have documents.”
My pulse changed.
“What documents?”
“A guardianship packet Tavian executed during treatment.”
I stood.
“Why wasn’t it with the will?”
“Different file. Different purpose.”
“Signed?”
“Yes.”
“Then send it.”
“I’m sending it to the court and both counsel.”
Good.
No private advantage.
Then Harriet added:
“Do not assume the document decides guardianship.”
“I know.”
Did I?
Maybe.
“A parent’s nomination carries weight,” she said, “but the court still decides the child’s best interests.”
Fine.
Then:
“What does it say?”
“I would rather the authenticated copy speak.”
I hated lawyers.
Then one clue.
“Tavian asked me to make sure the nomination was separate from estate money.”
“Why?”
“He did not want the guardian controlling all financial assets merely by being guardian.”
There.
Something else existed.
“What assets?”
“A modest trust and survivor proceeds.”
“How modest?”
“I’m not discussing numbers before accounting.”
Again.
Then:
“Did Ulric know?”
Harriet paused.
“He knew Tavian had made a choice.”
Not which details.
Then:
“Did he know it was me?”
“I believe so.”
My hand tightened.
That explained his expression when I said:
His father chose me before he died.
May you like
He had not been surprised.
He had been caught pretending uncertainty.
