The house.
Some savings.
A modest investment account.
Personal belongings.
She split most things equally between Daniel and me.
A few charitable gifts.
A college fund for Daniel’s daughter.
Nothing shocking.
Then Mr. Feldman stopped.
“There is one additional matter concerning Mr. Ethan Cole.”
Ethan lowered his head.
Daniel stiffened.
The lawyer reached beneath his desk.
And lifted a small wooden box.
Dark walnut.
Brass clasp.
My brother went white.
“What’s that doing here?”
Mr. Feldman looked at him.
“You recognize it?”
Daniel stood abruptly.
“No.”
Too fast.
Then:
“I mean—Mom kept boxes everywhere.”
Mr. Feldman removed a tiny brass key from an envelope.
“Mrs. Margaret Hale instructed me to give this key directly to Ethan.”
He handed it across the desk.
Ethan turned it over in his fingers.
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” I said.
Daniel took one step forward.
“Don’t.”
Everyone looked at him.
His face had changed.
