Calvin appeared surprised to see the doctor.
“Why is he here?” he asked.
Penelope arranged her papers.
“Mr.
Everett Hale requested witnesses to the administration of his estate.”
“This is supposed to be a private family matter,” Tabitha said.
“Then it is unfortunate that several people outside the family attempted to involve themselves.”
Tabitha’s lips tightened.
Penelope began with Dad’s will, signed eleven months before his death.
It left personal belongings to me and Kyle, financial gifts to three longtime employees, and a substantial donation to the pancreatic cancer foundation that had supported him.
The remaining liquid estate was divided between Kyle and me, with my share larger because Dad had helped Kyle financially for years.
Calvin received nothing.
When Penelope finished, Mr.
Danner opened his folder.
“We have a later codicil,” he announced.
“Executed six weeks before Mr.
Hale’s death.
It revokes Ms.
Ward’s appointment as executor, appoints Mr.
Calvin Mercer, and directs that the Hale residence be transferred to Mr.
Mercer in recognition of his long relationship with the deceased.”
Calvin slid the document across the table.
Tabitha watched me, waiting for me to break.
I did not touch it.
Penelope studied the pages without changing expression.
“Where did you obtain this?”
“Everett gave it to Kyle,” Calvin said.
“Kyle delivered it to me after the funeral.”
Penelope looked at my brother.
“Is that accurate?”
Kyle swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Did you witness Everett signing it?”
Calvin answered for him.
“We all did.”
Dr.
Mehta leaned forward.
“All of you?”
“Yes,” Tabitha said.
“Everett was lucid.
He understood exactly what he was doing.”
Penelope gave her another opportunity to retreat.
“You personally saw him sign every page?”
“I held the document for him,” Tabitha replied.
Calvin glanced at her, but she mistook his warning for encouragement.
“He was weak,” she continued.
“Kyle guided his hand while Calvin explained the changes.”
The room became very still.
Penelope folded her hands.
“So Kyle guided Everett’s hand?”
“Only because of the tremors,” Tabitha said.
Kyle’s face had gone gray.
Penelope turned to Dr.
Mehta.
“Did Mr.
