“I’ve advised my client to seek clarity where she feels it’s necessary,” he says.
“Then perhaps what we truly need to address is the fact that you are in a personal relationship with my daughter, which calls this entire farce into question.”
My hands clench in my lap. “My personal life does not change my professional obligations.”
William speaks up. “A relationship between an attorney and his client raises serious ethical concerns.”
“It can,” Spencer agrees. “Depending on the circumstances.”
“And these circumstances?” he asks.
“They do not affect the validity of the will. Or my ability to administer it.”
“You don’t see a conflict of interest here?” Mother asks.
Spencer reaches under the desk, putting his hand over mine. “I see a client who is fully capable of making her own decisions, and an estate being administered according to the terms set out by the decedent.”
William exchanges a look with Mother, and she nods slightly. “Mr. Montgomery, I’m sure you’re aware that a personal relationship with a current client, particularly in a matter involving an active estate, can raise serious ethical concerns. Not just in terms of professional judgment, but in how your actions may be perceived if this were ever reviewed.”
“I’m aware of my obligations.”
“Then you’re also aware that it creates a potential conflict. You’re in a position to influence her decisions. If this were challenged, it wouldn’t be difficult to argue your judgment was compromised. And once that argument is made, the entire administration of the estate is subject to scrutiny.”
Spencer nods. And smiles. Why is he smiling?
He reaches for a manila folder in front of him, opens it, and pulls out an envelope.
I thought that folder was just for show.
The envelope has writing on the front in a familiar script, Beverly’s writing. I catch a glimpse of what it says.
In case of emergency.
“What is that?” I ask.
“I was directed by Beverly Kemper to read this letter if it became apparent the inheritance was to be challenged. As my duty to this estate, I will read this now with you all as witnesses.”
William nods. “Go ahead. But I would like a copy of that and the other documents authorizing all of this when you’re done.”
He slides the letter out, glances it over, smiles again, and then reads.
* * *
Spencer,
* * *
If you’re reading this, Faye has shown up determined to make my poor girl’s life harder.
Faye, you should be ashamed of yourself, but I know you won’t be. You think you’re helping Vivi, but she’s a grown woman who can help herself, and you should be supportive and loving, not demanding and cruel.
I know my words will bounce right off you. I blame your mother, you know, for always making you believe you were somehow above everyone else in the world, and when you finally realized you weren’t, you used your daughter as a plaything you could control to live out your delusions of grandeur.
* * *
I look over at Mother, trying to glean her reaction to Beverly’s words, but her eyes are fixed on Spencer, her features tight.
Spencer keeps reading.
