MRS. STEEL CORROBORATED WHAT THE NOTARY PUBLIC HAD informed them of that morning. The grant of probate had been issued, validating the will. Both Mr. White, the notary Mrs. Sloan had appointed executor, and Mrs. Steel had advised Geneva and her family against entering a caveat, since the contentious proceedings would be long, expensive and eventually unfruitful. They were both pretty sure, in their expert opinion, that, after hearing the evidence, the Court would once more decide that the will was valid.
So that was it. They were now, and, as it seemed, forever, truly rightful owners, in accordance with the law, of the island possessions.
Nevertheless, the shadow of a doubt cast over them by the family's suspicions and Mrs. Sloan's editor's testimony would haunt them, Kathy thought, for quite a while.
What had not crossed her mind was that it was also haunting Mrs. Steel.
Her office was half dismantled. She was packing the last of her things in boxes when they arrived. Too concerned about their own matter-at-hand, they still hadn't politely inquired about her moving scenario when she went forward.
"I'm retiring. Well, it would be more accurate to say that I've just retired. I only have to take these things home and my working career will be over."
Jesse and Kathy remained seated. Her defeated tone sounded like the prelude to a bigger announcement.
"Haven't you ever wondered why Mary Anne appointed some notary she didn't know from Adam executor instead of me, who had been her lawyer and administrator for years?"
The question was obviously addressed to Jesse. Kathy hadn't known Mrs. Sloan long enough to be aware of her acquaintance with either of them.
Jesse's look denoted that he had given some thought to it.
"I know," she went on, "that Annabel has uncovered the matter of the missing funds."
"Uncovered?" Jesse repeated. "Do you mean to say that it's true?"
Mrs. Steel stared at Jesse, her pupils slightly dilating.
"You really have no idea, have you? The young, upright stepson. Now, don't be offended, please. I've known all about you almost from the beginning. We girls tend to confide in one another," she said that with a union wink at Kathy. "Mary Anne and I were friends long before you came into her life. Frank Sloan's son, who never actually met his father, but ended up getting a second mother, a protector, a patron. You sure knew how to win her heart."
Kathy turned her eyes to Jesse, expecting some kind of reaction to Mrs. Steel's growing sarcastic and implying tone. But he didn't open his mouth.