I was under anesthesia when it wore off too early. I couldn’t open my eyes, but I heard my son’s wife tell the surgeon: “If something goes wrong, don’t call her lawyer. Call me first.”

ir.”

“He was.”

Her face changed instantly.

Malcolm adjusted his glasses calmly. “Mrs. Whitmore amended her trust six months ago. Daniel receives only a modest annuity, contingent upon taking no legal action against the estate. Vanessa receives absolutely nothing. Every property is locked under the Whitmore Foundation for the next fifty years.”

Vanessa stared at me in disbelief.

“You can’t do that.”

“I already did.”

Her voice sharpened. “You’re old. You’re sick. Courts overturn things.”

“Courts,” Malcolm replied pleasantly, “adore notarized paperwork.”

Then I gave her the sentence she feared most.

“The recorder worked beautifully.”

Every trace of color drained from her face.

Malcolm smiled faintly.