He had been Garrett’s personal attorney for thirty-five years, and his father had been the attorney for Garrett’s father.

“Thomas,” Victoria said, her voice dropping into a dangerous register.

“This is a private family matter.”

“You have no business here.”

“I have every business here, Victoria,” Mr. Vance said.

He set his heavy briefcase on the small table by the door and popped the brass latches.

The sound was like two small pistol shots in the quiet room.

“I represent your father’s estate.”

“And more importantly, I represent his final wishes.”

“The probate judge signed our administration letters yesterday,” Charles said, his voice rising in panic.

“We are the legal administrators of the estate.”

“Those letters were temporary, Charles,” Mr. Vance said, pulling a thick document bound in blue paper from his briefcase.

“They were issued under the assumption that your father died without a valid will.”

“He did die without a valid will,” Victoria said, her chin tilting upward.

“Our attorneys proved his 2018 will was improperly witnessed and legally void.”

“That is correct,” Mr. Vance said, adjusting his wire-rimmed spectacles.