“And then?”

“Ray receives half.”

The beautiful afternoon suddenly felt cold.

Dad’s final dream had survived his heart.

Now it had to survive his family.

—

PART 7 — THE MAN WHO CAME FOR MY FATHER’S MONEY

Uncle Ray arrived at the house two days later.

He hadn’t changed much.

Same expensive coat.

Same narrow eyes.

Same habit of walking into rooms as though he already owned them.

“I heard you found Daniel’s little treasure chest,” he said.

I stood in the doorway.

“You mean my rent?”

Ray smirked.

“Call it whatever makes you feel better.”

“What do you want?”

“What I’m owed.”

“You disappeared for eleven years.”

“So?”

“So Dad didn’t leave you anything.”

His smile vanished.

“That’s what we’ll see.”

Ray claimed Dad’s illness had affected his judgment.

He claimed Frank manipulated him.

He claimed the charitable trust was a sentimental fantasy created by a dying man.