Chapter 8: The Original De## Chapter 8: The Original Deed
At 11ed
At 11:17 that morning, Evelyn Bennett received a letter that:17 that morning, Evelyn Bennett received a letter that made her cancel every appointment on her calendar.
The made her cancel every appointment on her calendar.
The letter came from Daniel Whitmore's office. It requested that she preserve all documents connected to the Vale letter came from Daniel Whitmore's office. It requested that she preserve all documents connected to the Vale estate, the Carter custodial file, and the original property deed reportedly held under her name.
It also requested estate, the Carter custodial file, and the original property deed reportedly held under her name.
It also requested a written explanation of her role in the document's transfer to private storage eleven years earlier.
E a written explanation of her role in the document's transfer to private storage eleven years earlier.
Evelyn read the letter standing in her bedroom, still wearing the pearls she had selectedvelyn read the letter standing in her bedroom, still wearing the pearls she had selected for lunch with a potential investor.
She read it once.
Then again.
By the third reading, her hands had begun to shake.
She called Daniel.
for lunch with a potential investor.
She read it once.
Then again.
By the third reading, her hands had begun to shake.
She called Daniel.
He answered on the fourth ring.
“Mr. Whitmore, I received your letter.””
“Good morning, Mrs. Bennett.””
“Don't pretend thisHe answered on the fourth ring.
“Mr. Whitmore, I received your letter.””
“Good morning, Mrs. Bennett.””
“Don't pretend this is a routine inquiry. You've been speaking to Nia.””
“I have.””
“She's not qualified to understand is a routine inquiry. You've been speaking to Nia.””
“I have.””
“She's not qualified to understand these documents.””
“Her qualifications are not the issue. Her potential interest in the estate is these documents.””
“Her qualifications are not the issue. Her potential interest in the estate is.””
Evelyn walked to the window.
Below, the gardeners were trimming the hedges along the driveway. One of them was.””
Evelyn walked to the window.
Below, the gardeners were trimming the hedges along the driveway. One of them was humming softly, completely unaware that the woman watching him was afraid of losing the one thing she had spent her life protecting.
“This matter humming softly, completely unaware that the woman watching him was afraid of losing the one thing she had spent her life protecting.
“This matter has been settled for years,” Evelyn said.
“Then providing the relevant records should present no difficulty.””
“You know very well that the records has been settled for years,” Evelyn said.
“Then providing the relevant records should present no difficulty.””
“You know very well that the records are incomplete.””
“That is precisely why we are investigating.””
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“You have no idea what releasing are incomplete.””
“That is precisely why we are investigating.””
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“You have no idea what releasing those documents could do to the Bennett family.””
“I am not responsible for protecting the Bennett family's reputation. My those documents could do to the Bennett family.””
“I am not responsible for protecting the Bennett family's reputation. My responsibility is to establish the facts and protect the interests I am legally obligated to represent.””
“And who are you representing now? Nia? Eleanor? A responsibility is to establish the facts and protect the interests I am legally obligated to represent.””
“And who are you representing now? Nia? Eleanor? A dead woman who has been gone for years?””
“Mrs. Bennett, please do not mistake my patience for uncertainty. We have documentation connecting you to the original deed. We need to establish dead woman who has been gone for years?””
“Mrs. Bennett, please do not mistake my patience for uncertainty. We have documentation connecting you to the original deed. We need to establish its present location and the basis on which you were listed as custodian.””
Evelyn gripped the phone.
“What if I cannot locate it?””
“Then you its present location and the basis on which you were listed as custodian.””
Evelyn gripped the phone.
“What if I cannot locate it?””
“Then you will need to explain when you last had access to it and what happened afterward.””
She ended the call.
For several will need to explain when you last had access to it and what happened afterward.””
She ended the call.
For several seconds, she stood motionless.
Then she went to the wardrobe and removed a small leather case from the back of a shelf. Inside was a key attached to a brass tag, its number seconds, she stood motionless.
Then she went to the wardrobe and removed a small leather case from the back of a shelf. Inside was a key attached to a brass tag, its number written in faded black ink.
The tag matched the storage receipt Daniel had discovered.
written in faded black ink.
The tag matched the storage receipt Daniel had discovered.
Evelyn had kept the key for eleven years.
She had told herself she was preserving a document that could destroy her family's future. She had told herself thatEvelyn had kept the key for eleven years.
She had told herself she was preserving a document that could destroy her family's future. She had told herself that her husband would have done the same. She had told herself that Nia would never know enough to ask the her husband would have done the same. She had told herself that Nia would never know enough to ask the right questions.
But Nia had asked.
And now the past was coming back through a door Evelyn had believed right questions.
But Nia had asked.
And now the past was coming back through a door Evelyn had believed she had locked forever.
She drove to the private storage facility on the outskirts of Atlanta.
The building sat behind a security gate, its windows dark she had locked forever.
She drove to the private storage facility on the outskirts of Atlanta.
The building sat behind a security gate, its windows dark and reflective. Inside, a clerk checked her identification and led her to a small office.
“Mrs. Bennett, your account is flagged for and reflective. Inside, a clerk checked her identification and led her to a small office.
“Mrs. Bennett, your account is flagged for review,” he explained.
“I can confirm the unit exists, but access to the sealed container review,” he explained.
“I can confirm the unit exists, but access to the sealed container requires additional authorization.””
“I've been the custodian for eleven years.””
“I understand. However, we've received a preservation request requires additional authorization.””
“I've been the custodian for eleven years.””
“I understand. However, we've received a preservation request from legal counsel.””
Evelyn placed the key on the desk.
“I'm not removing anything. I only need to inspect the contents from legal counsel.””
Evelyn placed the key on the desk.
“I'm not removing anything. I only need to inspect the contents.””
The clerk hesitated.
“I'm afraid I cannot authorize that today.””
She leaned forward.
“Do you know who I am?””
“Yes.””
The clerk hesitated.
“I'm afraid I cannot authorize that today.””
She leaned forward.
“Do you know who I am?””
“Yes, ma'am.””
“Then you know this is a family matter.””
“I'm sorry, ma'am. The restriction, ma'am.””
“Then you know this is a family matter.””
“I'm sorry, ma'am. The restriction applies regardless of the account holder's identity.””
Evelyn stared at him.
She could have argued. She could have demanded applies regardless of the account holder's identity.””
Evelyn stared at him.
She could have argued. She could have demanded a manager. She could have threatened to sue.
Instead, she took the key and left.
Outside, she sat behind a manager. She could have threatened to sue.
Instead, she took the key and left.
Outside, she sat behind the wheel with both hands resting on it.
For the first time in years, she had encountered a person who would not bend the wheel with both hands resting on it.
For the first time in years, she had encountered a person who would not bend simply because she expected him to.
She called Marcus.
He answered immediately.
“Mother?””
“I need you to come home.””
“Why simply because she expected him to.
She called Marcus.
He answered immediately.
“Mother?””
“I need you to come home.””
“Why?””
“Because we have a problem.””
“We've had a problem for a long time.””
Her breath caught.
“Marcus, I am?””
“Because we have a problem.””
“We've had a problem for a long time.””
Her breath caught.
“Marcus, I am asking you to come home.””
“And I'm asking you to tell me the truth.””
She closed her eyes.
“ asking you to come home.””
“And I'm asking you to tell me the truth.””
She closed her eyes.
“Please.””
Something in her voice made him pause.
“All right,” he said.
“I'll come.””
Please.””
Something in her voice made him pause.
“All right,” he said.
“I'll come.””
Marcus arrived at the mansion shortly after noon.
He found Evelyn in the study with two cups of coffee on the desk and a stack of papers arranged between them.
She had changedMarcus arrived at the mansion shortly after noon.
He found Evelyn in the study with two cups of coffee on the desk and a stack of papers arranged between them.
She had changed out of her cream jacket. Now she wore a dark blue dress, and her silver hair was tucked neatly behind her ears.
She looked older than she out of her cream jacket. Now she wore a dark blue dress, and her silver hair was tucked neatly behind her ears.
She looked older than she had the previous afternoon.
“Sit down,” she said.
Marcus remained standing.
“Tell me where the deed is.””
“I went to the storage facility had the previous afternoon.
“Sit down,” she said.
Marcus remained standing.
“Tell me where the deed is.””
“I went to the storage facility. They wouldn't let me access the container.””
“Why?””
“Whitmore's office placed a restriction on it.””
“Because the. They wouldn't let me access the container.””
“Why?””
“Whitmore's office placed a restriction on it.””
“Because the document may belong to someone else.””
Evelyn's eyes flashed.
“You don't know that.””
“Then show me document may belong to someone else.””
Evelyn's eyes flashed.
“You don't know that.””
“Then show me the document that proves it belongs to us.””
She looked down at the papers.
For a long time, she said nothing.
Finally, she opened a folder the document that proves it belongs to us.””
She looked down at the papers.
For a long time, she said nothing.
Finally, she opened a folder and pushed a photocopy toward him.
It was a property agreement dated decades earlier. Thomas Bennett's signature appeared near the bottom, alongside and pushed a photocopy toward him.
It was a property agreement dated decades earlier. Thomas Bennett's signature appeared near the bottom, alongside Eleanor Vale's.
Marcus read the first page.
The agreement described a financial arrangement involving land and development rights. The Bennetts had Eleanor Vale's.
Marcus read the first page.
The agreement described a financial arrangement involving land and development rights. The Bennetts had been permitted to use certain parcels for commercial purposes, subject to conditions that were referenced but not fully reproduced in the copy.
“ been permitted to use certain parcels for commercial purposes, subject to conditions that were referenced but not fully reproduced in the copy.
“Where's the rest of it?”” he asked.
“That's what I have.””
“Why is the deed in storage underWhere's the rest of it?”” he asked.
“That's what I have.””
“Why is the deed in storage under your name?””
“Your grandfather asked me to keep it safe.””
“Why you?””
“Because your father had your name?””
“Your grandfather asked me to keep it safe.””
“Why you?””
“Because your father had begun asking questions, and Thomas believed he might make decisions without considering the consequences.””
Marcus stared at her begun asking questions, and Thomas believed he might make decisions without considering the consequences.””
Marcus stared at her.
“You were trusted with a document that could affect our property, and you never told Dad?””
“I was told to preserve it, not circulate it.””
“Did.
“You were trusted with a document that could affect our property, and you never told Dad?””
“I was told to preserve it, not circulate it.””
“Did you read it?””
Evelyn looked away.
“Some of it.””
“What did it say?””
She folded her hands.
“It established conditions for the use of the land. Conditions you read it?””
Evelyn looked away.
“Some of it.””
“What did it say?””
She folded her hands.
“It established conditions for the use of the land. Conditions your grandfather believed would eventually expire.””
“And did they?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You've spent eleven years keeping your grandfather believed would eventually expire.””
“And did they?””
“I don't know.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You've spent eleven years keeping a document you claim you don't understand.””
“I understood enough to know that if a document you claim you don't understand.””
“I understood enough to know that if the arrangement were challenged, the business could face serious consequences.””
“So you hid it.””
“I preserved it.””
“You refused to let the person who might be entitled to it even know it existed.””
Evelyn's composure cracked.
“Because I had a family the arrangement were challenged, the business could face serious consequences.””
“So you hid it.””
“I preserved it.””
“You refused to let the person who might be entitled to it even know it existed.””
Evelyn's composure cracked.
“Because I had a family to protect!””
Marcus stepped closer.
“And what about my family? My marriage? Nia?””
Evelyn stood to protect!””
Marcus stepped closer.
“And what about my family? My marriage? Nia?””
Evelyn stood abruptly.
“You were unhappy with her long before the divorce.””
“No. I abruptly.
“You were unhappy with her long before the divorce.””
“No. I was weak long before the divorce. I let you decide which parts of my life were acceptable, and I called was weak long before the divorce. I let you decide which parts of my life were acceptable, and I called it loyalty.””
She stared at him.
He continued, his voice low and steady.
“Nia worked to help me it loyalty.””
She stared at him.
He continued, his voice low and steady.
“Nia worked to help me build my company. She stood beside me when I had almost nothing. You treated her like she was beneath you, and I let build my company.
She stood beside me when I had almost nothing. You treated her like she was beneath you, and I let you. Then, when you told me to end the marriage, I signed papers I hadn't even read.””
E you. Then, when you told me to end the marriage, I signed papers I hadn't even read.””
Evelyn's eyes filled, though no tears fell.
“I thought I was saving you from a mistake.””
“Youvelyn's eyes filled, though no tears fell.
“I thought I was saving you from a mistake.””
“You were saving yourself from a question.””
“What question?””
“Whether the people you spent your life looking were saving yourself from a question.””
“What question?””
“Whether the people you spent your life looking down on might have had a legitimate claim to what you called yours down on might have had a legitimate claim to what you called yours.””
She looked at him as if he had struck her.
Then she sat down.
“I never intended for you to lose Nia.””
She looked at him as if he had struck her.
Then she sat down.
“I never intended for you to lose Nia.””
Marcus's expression softened for a moment.
“You didn't have to intend it. You only had to keep choosing yourself.””
The words left a.””
Marcus's expression softened for a moment.
“You didn't have to intend it. You only had to keep choosing yourself.””
The words left a silence neither of them knew how to fill.
At last, Evelyn opened the desk drawer and removed a folded letter.
“This was with the deed when I first received it.””
Marcus took it.
The handwriting silence neither of them knew how to fill.
At last, Evelyn opened the desk drawer and removed a folded letter.
“This was with the deed when I first received it.””
Marcus took it.
The handwriting was Thomas Bennett's.
Evelyn,
Keep the original separate from the copies. The agreement must remain intact until the final conditions are met. If James asks about Eleanor's share, tell him the matter has been resolved.
Do not allow him to involve the Carter family.
Marcus read the letter twice.
His grandfather had instructed Evelyn to conceal the agreement from his own son.
And she had obeyed.
“Did Dad know about this letter?”” he asked.
“No.””
“Did you ever tell him what his father said?””
“No.””
Marcus placed the letter on the desk.
“Then we have to give everything to Daniel.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“If you do that, you could expose the company to claims we cannot afford.””
“Then the company will have was Thomas Bennett's.
Evelyn,
Keep the original separate from the copies. The agreement must remain intact until the final conditions are met. If James asks about Eleanor's share, tell him the matter has been resolved.
Do not allow him to involve the Carter family.
Marcus read the letter twice.
His grandfather had instructed Evelyn to conceal the agreement from his own son.
And she had obeyed.
“Did Dad know about this letter?”” he asked.
“No.””
“Did you ever tell him what his father said?””
“No.””
Marcus placed the letter on the desk.
“Then we have to give everything to Daniel.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“If you do that, you could expose the company to claims we cannot afford.””
“Then the company will have to answer them.””
“You could lose your position.””
“Maybe.””
“Your reputation.””
“Maybe.””
“The business your father spent his to answer them.””
“You could lose your position.””
“Maybe.””
“Your reputation.””
“Maybe.””
“The business your father spent his life building.””
Marcus looked at the photograph on the desk.
“My father spent his life trying to correct this.””
Evelyn lowered life building.””
Marcus looked at the photograph on the desk.
“My father spent his life trying to correct this.””
Evelyn lowered her eyes.
For the first time, she had no argument left.
Marcus gathered the copies and letters into a her eyes.
For the first time, she had no argument left.
Marcus gathered the copies and letters into a folder.
“I'm going to give these to Daniel.””
She watched him move toward the door.
“Marcus.””
He stopped.
“Will you tell N folder.
“I'm going to give these to Daniel.””
She watched him move toward the door.
“Marcus.””
He stopped.
“Will you tell Nia what I said?””
He turned.
“What did you say?””
Evelyn struggled to meet hisia what I said?””
He turned.
“What did you say?””
Evelyn struggled to meet his eyes.
“That I was wrong.””
Marcus studied her face.
“I'll tell her the truth about what happened. I won't ask her to eyes.
“That I was wrong.””
Marcus studied her face.
“I'll tell her the truth about what happened. I won't ask her to forgive you.””
She nodded.
It was the first time she had accepted a consequence without trying to negotiate it away.
Marcus left forgive you.””
She nodded.
It was the first time she had accepted a consequence without trying to negotiate it away.
Marcus left the mansion carrying the documents.
That afternoon, Daniel Whitmore convened a meeting with N the mansion carrying the documents.
That afternoon, Daniel Whitmore convened a meeting with Nia and the records facility's legal representative.
The original deed had been located in a sealed containeria and the records facility's legal representative.
The original deed had been located in a sealed container. Its outer packaging was intact, and the facility's access logs showed no authorized removal since it had been deposited.
However, the document could not. Its outer packaging was intact, and the facility's access logs showed no authorized removal since it had been deposited.
However, the document could not be released until the chain of custody was verified and the preservation request was formally addressed.
Nia listened as Daniel explained the procedure.
“So we're finally going to see it?””
be released until the chain of custody was verified and the preservation request was formally addressed.
Nia listened as Daniel explained the procedure.
“So we're finally going to see it?””
“Yes,” he said.
“But I want you to understand that the document may answer some questions while raising others. We must examine“Yes,” he said.
“But I want you to understand that the document may answer some questions while raising others. We must examine its terms carefully.””
Marcus arrived carrying the folder.
Nia looked at him with surprise.
“I thought you weren't coming.””
“I know. its terms carefully.””
Marcus arrived carrying the folder.
Nia looked at him with surprise.
“I thought you weren't coming.””
“I know. I won't interfere. I brought documents from my mother that may be relevant.””
He placed them on the table and stepped I won't interfere. I brought documents from my mother that may be relevant.””
He placed them on the table and stepped back.
Nia glanced through the first few pages.
When she saw the letter from back.
Nia glanced through the first few pages.
When she saw the letter from Thomas Bennett, her expression hardened.
“Your grandfather ordered your father to hide this?””
“Yes.””
“And your mother obeyed?””
“Yes.””
Nia looked up.
“Why are you bringing this to me?””
“Because it belongs Thomas Bennett, her expression hardened.
“Your grandfather ordered your father to hide this?””
“Yes.””
“And your mother obeyed?””
“Yes.””
Nia looked up.
“Why are you bringing this to me?””
“Because it belongs in the record. And because my father was right. You deserve the truth, even if it costs us something.””
She studied him for several seconds in the record. And because my father was right. You deserve the truth, even if it costs us something.””
She studied him for several seconds.
Then she nodded toward the folder.
“Give it to Daniel.””
Marcus did.
No excuses. No request for forgiveness. No suggestion that she owed him anything.
It was a small thing.
But it was.
Then she nodded toward the folder.
“Give it to Daniel.””
Marcus did.
No excuses. No request for forgiveness. No suggestion that she owed him anything.
It was a small thing.
But it was the first time he had stood beside her without trying to control what happened next.
Daniel reviewed the documents, then contacted the facility.
An hour the first time he had stood beside her without trying to control what happened next.
Daniel reviewed the documents, then contacted the facility.
An hour later, the original deed was brought into the examination room.
It was sealed in a protective sleeve, the paper yellowed with age. A series of later, the original deed was brought into the examination room.
It was sealed in a protective sleeve, the paper yellowed with age. A series of signatures ran along the final page.
Daniel checked the identifying marks against the archive records.
Then he stopped.
signatures ran along the final page.
Daniel checked the identifying marks against the archive records.
Then he stopped.
Nia leaned forward.
“What is it?””
Daniel looked at the signature near the bottom.
“There's a problem.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“What kindNia leaned forward.
“What is it?””
Daniel looked at the signature near the bottom.
“There's a problem.””
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
“What kind of problem?””
Daniel turned the document toward them.
“The deed contains a condition that does not appear in the copies currently held by of problem?””
Daniel turned the document toward them.
“The deed contains a condition that does not appear in the copies currently held by Bennett Holdings.””
Nia read the paragraph.
The land had not been transferred outright. The agreement granted the Bennett family Bennett Holdings.””
Nia read the paragraph.
The land had not been transferred outright. The agreement granted the Bennett family limited development rights, while preserving a separate interest for Eleanor Vale and her designated successor.
The conditions governing that interest limited development rights, while preserving a separate interest for Eleanor Vale and her designated successor.
The conditions governing that interest depended on later transfers and the proper handling of the estate records.
Nia looked at Daniel.
“Does this mean the land belongs to me?””
depended on later transfers and the proper handling of the estate records.
Nia looked at Daniel.
“Does this mean the land belongs to me?””
“Not necessarily. It means your interest may be legally significant. We need to examine the full chain of ownership and“Not necessarily.
It means your interest may be legally significant. We need to examine the full chain of ownership and determine which obligations remain enforceable.””
Marcus stared at the page.
His family's most valuable property might not be theirs in determine which obligations remain enforceable.””
Marcus stared at the page.
His family's most valuable property might not be theirs in the way they had always believed.
Then Daniel turned to the signature page.
His expression changed again.
“There's something else.””
He pointed the way they had always believed.
Then Daniel turned to the signature page.
His expression changed again.
“There's something else.””
He pointed to the name written beside the original transfer.
*James Bennett.*
But beneath it was a second to the name written beside the original transfer.
*James Bennett.*
But beneath it was a second signature, dated years later.
*Evelyn Bennett, Custodian.*
Nia felt a chill run down her spine.
“Why did signature, dated years later.
*Evelyn Bennett, Custodian.*
Nia felt a chill run down her spine.
“Why did she sign it?””
Daniel checked the notation.
“The record indicates that she acknowledged receiving the original document and agreed to she sign it?””
Daniel checked the notation.
“The record indicates that she acknowledged receiving the original document and agreed to preserve it until the custodial conditions were resolved.””
“Did she have authority to do that?””
“That depends on the terms of the underlying arrangement preserve it until the custodial conditions were resolved.””
“Did she have authority to do that?””
“That depends on the terms of the underlying arrangement.””
Nia looked at Evelyn's signature.
The woman who had told her she would leave the.””
Nia looked at Evelyn's signature.
The woman who had told her she would leave the mansion with nothing had been entrusted with the document that could determine what Nia's family had lost.
And now, after mansion with nothing had been entrusted with the document that could determine what Nia's family had lost.
And now, after eleven years, the original deed had finally surfaced.
Daniel carefully returned it to its protective sleeve eleven years, the original deed had finally surfaced.
Daniel carefully returned it to its protective sleeve.
“We have enough to proceed with a formal review. We do not yet have enough to make a final determination about ownership.””
Nia nodded.
.
“We have enough to proceed with a formal review. We do not yet have enough to make a final determination about ownership.””
Nia nodded.
She had waited too long for answers to confuse evidence with victory.
As theShe had waited too long for answers to confuse evidence with victory.
As the meeting ended, Marcus approached her.
“I know you don't owe me anything,” he said.
“But I need you to know that I won't help my meeting ended, Marcus approached her.
“I know you don't owe me anything,” he said.
“But I need you to know that I won't help my mother hide this again.””
Nia studied him.
“Then don't.””
He nodded.
She gathered her documents and walked toward the exit.
Marcus remained behind mother hide this again.””
Nia studied him.
“Then don't.””
He nodded.
She gathered her documents and walked toward the exit.
Marcus remained behind.
For the first time, he understood that the inheritance had never been the real story.
The real story was a promise made decades ago, a record deliberately kept.
For the first time, he understood that the inheritance had never been the real story.
The real story was a promise made decades ago, a record deliberately kept out of sight, and a woman who had been taught to believe she had no right to ask questions.
Nia out of sight, and a woman who had been taught to believe she had no right to ask questions.
Nia had finally found the evidence.
But she still hadn't found the person who had changed the original records.
And as Daniel examined the deed one final had finally found the evidence.
But she still hadn't found the person who had changed the original records.
And as Daniel examined the deed one final time, he noticed something that made him reach for his phone.
A small handwritten notation appeared beneath the witness signatures.
time, he noticed something that made him reach for his phone.
A small handwritten notation appeared beneath the witness signatures.
It referred to a second document.
One that was not listed in the archive inventory.
Daniel looked up sharply.
“Ms. BennettIt referred to a second document.
One that was not listed in the archive inventory.
Daniel looked up sharply.
“Ms. Bennett, before you leave, I need to ask you something.””
Nia turned.
“What is it?””
He pointed to the notation.
“Have you, before you leave, I need to ask you something.””
Nia turned.
“What is it?””
He pointed to the notation.
“Have you ever heard of a private settlement signed by James Bennett and Denise Carter?””
Nia shook her head.
“No.””
Daniel looked at Marcus.
“Your ever heard of a private settlement signed by James Bennett and Denise Carter?””
Nia shook her head.
“No.””
Daniel looked at Marcus.
“Your father may have signed an additional agreement. If it exists, it could change how we interpret this deed.””
Marcus stared at the page.
father may have signed an additional agreement. If it exists, it could change how we interpret this deed.””
Marcus stared at the page.
“Where would we find it?””
Daniel's answer came quietly.
“If it was preserved, it would most likely“Where would we find it?””
Daniel's answer came quietly.
“If it was preserved, it would most likely be with the person who witnessed the agreement.””
He checked the notation again.
Then he read the name aloud.
*Evelyn Bennett.*
## be with the person who witnessed the agreement.””
He checked the notation again.
May you like
Then he read the name aloud.
*Evelyn Bennett.*