After putting away the last of Stephanie’s dresses, Araminta quietly closed the closet then called to the cats as she walked to open the bedroom door. “I don’t think anyone is quite ready to eat in the dining room yet, so I will have Trinity bring up a tray for supper.”
Back on the bed, her cell phone now in hand, Stephanie stood and thanked her. She waited for the cats to heed Araminta’s call and leave the room, then Araminta heard the snick of the door as Stephanie pushed it closed behind her. She sighed, her mind caught up on whether or not she was right about Daisy as she made her way back downstairs.
“It’s on us, darlings,” she said to the cats. “But time is running out. We have to figure out which of the people currently residing in the manor is also Archibald’s murderer.”
Chapter Twelve
Having promised Daisy the day before that she would be there with her for support for the reading of Archibald’s will, Araminta dressed with care for their trip to speak with the family lawyers. She chose a bright-red jacket to put over a deep-blue silk shirt and orange slacks with a pair of white pumps. Since it was a somber occasion, she bypassed the large orange hoop earrings and bold brass necklace with the glittery sun pendant she usually wore with this outfit and opted instead for a set of pearl studs and an understated double strand of pearls.
Feeling confident and powerful, she called to the cats, who would be left to wander the house on their own for the morning, and hurried downstairs to meet with the rest of the family.
The scene that greeted her was troublesome. On one side of the parlor, quite alone, stood Daisy. She was wearing a somber dress in deep green. On the other side, Bernard waited. He had chosen a simple outfit for the day. He was wearing a standard three-piece suit and looked very much like a man of business. On the sofa, Reggie spoke quietly with a sulking Stephanie—it should have been a touching scene of family togetherness, but Araminta felt an extreme sense of division.
“A house divided cannot stand,” she mumbled, feeling quite put out that this one—her very own family—was so obviously divided. She resolved in that exact moment to somehow bring the remaining Moorecliffs back together. They were family, and family was always important. She couldn’t allow the rift to deepen. But first, before she could resolve anything, they must go for the reading of the will, and they might as well get it over with.
“Good morning, my lovelies. Are we all ready to go?” Araminta greeted everyone warmly as she swept into the room. “The appointment is at nine, I believe, but knowing old Luther, he won’t show up before half past.”
Daisy turned to offer a smile of greeting, which slowly crumbled when she saw Araminta’s outfit. “Er, it’s Sedgewick, aunt, who will be reading Archie’s will. Luther retired early last year, remember?”
Araminta frowned. “Oh dear, yes, I guess he did. Well, then, let’s hope that Sedgewick is more prompt.”
Bernard also looked surprised. Perhaps he, too, was feeling a little unnerved about the quick passage of time, but he said nothing about it. Instead, he made a show of motioning to the bereaved Moorecliff siblings. “Come along, children. Harold has already called for a car. Trinity came by a moment ago to let us know it’s outside and waiting.”
Daisy started forward then hesitated. “Bernard, are you sure you want to come along? With Araminta and the children, I’m sure we can manage, if you’d prefer to meet us at the funeral home.”
“Of course I shall be there,” he said as the children passed to go to the waiting vehicle. “I’m going to take my own car, to give you privacy with the children in the family vehicle, but never suggest I would allow you to do this alone. I should be there with you. After all, you’re my brother’s widow.”
“Yes, but…” Daisy started, and Araminta figured she was uncomfortable about having him along, since she knew he would not be inheriting control of Moorecliff Motors.
“Do hurry, Daisy,” she said, breaking in to cut off her protests. “If Sedgewick is the retainer we’re meeting and my memory serves, he prefers to do things most promptly.”
The law offices of Broomford, Broomford, and Vance looked similar to every other law office Araminta had ever been in. The muted olive-green carpet was tasteful but expensive. The walls were covered in mahogany bookcases filled with law books, their gilded spines standing in rows like silent soldiers. The receptionist was pleasant and nondescript.
Sedgewick Broomford ushered them back to his private office and took a seat in the high-back leather chair behind a fancily carved mahogany desk. The rest of them found seating in the tufted leather club chairs and the matching sofa.
After the usual pleasantries, Sedgewick straightened the pile of papers on his desk, glanced around at them, then began.
Araminta listened intently as he read her late nephew’s final wishes. Archibald had left each of his children a handsome sum but in trusts to be managed by Daisy until each of them married.
Stephanie visibly rolled her eyes at the prospect of having her future doled out by her stepmother, but she didn’t seem overly surprised. Since Reggie had already confessed that he knew of the arrangement, Araminta was sure Stephanie had also known. The next part, though, was apparently a surprise to Bernard.
“As for Moorecliff Motors, control has been left solely in the capable hands of Ms. Daisy Moorecliff. Archibald makes it clear this is also the choice of the board members.”
“What?” Bernard was aghast. “But… but… I’m next in line. I mean, I run the West Coast division! I don’t understand. Daisy has never been involved in the company. How can she possibly be expected to competently run the whole thing?”
“You know, Bernard, women do run companies these days,” Daisy pointed out in the kindest way amid his bluster. “Quite competently, too, as a matter of fact. And it’s not true that I haven’t been involved. I’ve actually been very involved. Archie has been grooming me to take over for ages.”
Peering up at him, Daisy was the very picture of calm when she said, “As you’re Archie’s brother, I’m sure you will heed his wishes in this matter. And of course, you’ll always be there for me should I need anything, won’t you?”
Realizing he’d stepped into territory best left untrod for the moment, Bernard calmed himself and nodded. “Of course, Daisy. You know I’ll be there, and as this is clearly my brother’s decision, you know you can count on me to support you.”
Sedgewick cleared his throat and continued, “Master Moorecliff also left generous sums to the members of the household staff to be disbursed immediately in addition to what awaits each of them at retirement. We will need to speak with them separately.”
Sedgewick read that Archibald had also made provisions for the care of his aunt—which was news to Araminta. Araminta had plenty of her own money, but her heart was warmed that Archie had stipulated that she was to have a permanent residence at the manor for the rest of her life and to be looked after by every member of the Moorecliff family.
The meeting finished soon after. As they all headed to the cars for the trip to the funeral home, Araminta quietly confessed she was glad it was over. But in the car, she privately admitted something else, though only to herself, and not one whit of it was good. The news of bequests to the servants had come as a surprise. If Harold or Trinity had somehow learned of the money they would inherit upon Archibald’s death, would the sum have tempted them to commit murder?