Page 11 of Perfect Pact

He didn’t have to say it. Well, he can’t say it, but I know he’s referring to Hattie and Hazel’s encounter from this morning. Either way, I’m glad he’s in here so these men can leave, and I can go on with my day. I keep my head down, avoiding eye contact with the charming snake who has slithered back to his spot across the room.

“If everyone would please take a seat, we can get to the reading of the will.”

“What?” His words slowly sink in as all the men join us at the table.

Everyone.

Takes.

A seat.

My eyes dart up to Dusty, who seems just as confused as I am, then to the guys on either side of him. One looks to be about my age, and the other I’m assuming is his father.

The pieces all fall into place, and I can’t believe I didn’t see it before. They have Buck’s eyes. The same wild blue in the picture of two mischievous boys. I glance up at Dusty, seeing the kid sitting on the top step smiling as his grandfather ruffled his hair. That means the other guy is his brother. The one who was admiring the coin collection—the lawyer.

“As you all are aware by now,” Mr. Wright acknowledges each of us. “Your father, grandfather, and friend assigned me to be the executor of his estate upon his death.”

“Wait a minute,” the older man speaks up. “Who in the hell are you?” he snaps at me.

This can’t be happening.

I-I can’t do this. I can’t sit here and know these men left Mr. Jacobs to die alone. I can’t.

I try to get up and run, but it’s as if my boots are filled with lead. I’m frozen in my own personal hell.

“John, please. I know this is very difficult,” Mr. Wright orders. “But this is not the time nor the place.”

“It’s exactly the time and place. She’s here, and I want to know why.” John slams his hand down on the gleaming wood. “Goddammit.”

I flinch.

“Mrs. Michaels was his caretaker,” Mr. Wright defends. “She was with him when he passed.”

John places his elbows on the table, clasping his hands together. “So, she’s what…like, his girlfriend?”

“More like daughter. I loved him like a father,” I say just loud enough to irritate whoever I needed to and get the courage to jump to my feet. “Which is more than I can say for any of you.”

“How dare you!” John roars. Pushing back from the table, almost knocking over his chair, he rises to tower over me, pointing his shaking finger in my face.

“You don’t have a clue of what went on at that house.”

I laugh, refusing to back down. I’ve dealt with assholes my whole life. I’m not afraid of him.

“Sit down and shut the hell up, little girl. You can’t say shit until you’ve walked in my shoes.”

“Stop!” Dusty throws his hands up. “Just stop.” He stares down his father. “We all have a story. Today is not the day to retell it. Okay, Dad?”

Then he looks at me, silently pleading. “The Buck Jacobs you knew is different from the one Lance and I knew…and much different from the man my father grew up with, okay?” A lump of guilt lodges in my throat.

“Dusty is right, Dad. This is not the time nor the place. A reading of a will is more of an informational meeting. So, let’s just listen to what he has to say,” Lance chimes in.

“Fine.” John sits back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

“All right. Let’s try this again.” Mr. Wright runs a hand through his hair before he opens a folder. “Before you leave, I have an envelope for each of you. They contain a copy of the will as well as a personalized letter. Those letters were written over a year ago when Mr. Jacobs...Buck, called me over to his house. He requested you don’t read the letters here.”

This all makes so much sense now. I remember the day he wrote those letters. He wanted to use his wife’s stationary that had been stored in the barn. I probably spent three hours going through totes and boxes searching for that paper.

“He also asked that I read this letter instead of the will.” Mr. Wright clears his throat then takes a sip of his coffee before he continues. “This letter is basically the contents of the will, just not the legalities. Before I begin, let me just say, I’m very sorry for your loss. Buck was one of kind and will be greatly missed.”

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