“My name is Victoria Vance,” the woman said. “I am the executor of your late mother-in-law’s estate. We need to talk before tomorrow morning.”

“Why are you calling me, Victoria?” I asked.

“I’ve spent the evening reviewing your husband’s inheritance files,” she said.

Her voice was dry, like paper sliding across a wooden desk.

“There are discrepancies, Mrs. Collins,” she continued.

“What kind of discrepancies?”

“Your husband’s attorney attempted to expedite the transfer of funds today,” Victoria said. “He bypassed my office’s standard verification process.”

I gripped the cold kitchen counter.

“Jerome Carter is my attorney,” I said. “You should talk to him.”

“I already have,” Victoria replied. “He is arranging an emergency probate hearing for tomorrow morning at nine.”

My heart beat faster against my ribs.

“Is that possible?” I asked.

“With the evidence Mr. Carter claims to hold, the judge agreed to an expedited session,” she said. “I will see you there, Avery.”

The line went dead.

I immediately dialed Jerome’s number.

He answered on the second ring.

“I just spoke with Victoria Vance,” I said.