Albert took a long breath.
“The safe-deposit arrangement is old.”
The bank had changed ownership more than once.
Some original authorization language was awkward.
Albert had already consulted an attorney.
There was no magical rule that marriage automatically unlocked Daniel’s
property.
The proposal was not a loophole.
It was stranger than that.
Albert had created a family trust decades earlier.
The surviving documents Daniel left were held among materials that
Albert’s trust permitted him to release only to a spouse, descendant, or
specifically named beneficiary.
Daniel’s instruction named me, but my identity had to be formally
established through an amendment Albert had never completed.
“So marry me?”
Albert winced.
“When you say it like that, it sounds ridiculous.”
“It is ridiculous.”
“Yes.”
PART 8
Then he smiled faintly.
“I wanted to make sure you listened before walking away.”
I stared at him.
“You proposed as theater?”
“Partly.”
“Albert!”
“I’m eighty-nine. People ignore old men unless we become dramatic.”
Despite everything, I laughed.
Then he became serious.
“I am not asking you to actually marry me.”
I blinked.
“The proposal was real enough to get everyone’s attention. But the legal
solution is simpler. My attorney can amend the trust and identify you
properly.”
“So why terrify me?”
“Because Daniel asked me to find you, and you have spent months avoiding
every conversation that might make you feel alive.”
That landed harder than I expected.
Albert knew me too well.
PART 9
Two days later, I met Albert’s attorney, Naomi Fletcher.
She confirmed the broad outline.
No instant fortune.
No secret inheritance that Albert could simply hand me.
There were documents connected to Daniel.
Rights.
Correspondence.
An old agreement.
A sealed letter.
The trust amendment could be completed without marriage.
“Then why did he propose?” I asked.
Naomi removed her glasses.
“Because Albert enjoys drama.”
“Thank you.”
“And because he was afraid you would refuse to become involved.”
“That sounds more like him.”
We completed the identity verification.
Then arranged to retrieve the materials.
Marcus called me the night before.
I had not spoken to him since Daniel’s funeral.
PART 10
“Claire.”
His voice was warm.
Too warm.
“I heard you’ve been visiting Albert Mercer.”
My stomach tightened.
“How did you hear that?”
“Small world.”
It was not a small world.
“What do you want?”
“I’m worried somebody is taking advantage of you.”
I nearly laughed.
