“This will terminate his legal claim to any portion of your mother’s estate,” Thomas said. “And it will formally initiate the division of your personal assets.”

I took the pen from his hand.

The metal was cool against my skin.

I turned to the signature page, where a small yellow sticky note marked the line.

I wrote my name, *Claire Hartwell*, in a quick, firm hand.

I did not use his last name.

I had not used it in my heart for a very long time.

“There,” I said, sliding the papers back across the polished wood.

Thomas picked up the document, blew lightly on the ink to dry it, and nodded.

“I will file this first thing in the morning,” he said. “The court will expedite the temporary restraining orders regarding the estate accounts.”

“And the criminal charges?” I asked.

“The district attorney has been reviewing the ledger sheets we sent last week,” Thomas said. “The unauthorized transfers from your mother’s trust are clear.”

He snapped his briefcase shut with two sharp, metallic clicks.

“With Patricia’s signature on the confession we secured tonight, the grand jury will have everything they need,” he added.