Maren made another note.
“This may take time,” she said. “But we can begin by requesting the original trust file from the drafting firm. Do you remember the firm?”
Richard nodded. “Benton, Vale & Harrow. Richmond.”
At that, Maren looked up sharply.
“That firm dissolved years ago.”
Richard’s face stilled. “Dissolved?”
“Yes. One partner died, one retired, one was disbarred.”
The room cooled around that last word.
“Disbarred?” Evelyn asked.
Maren closed the folder. “For mishandling estate funds. But that does not automatically mean your grandparents’ trust was affected.”
Automatically.
It was the kind of word people used when they did not want fear to get ahead of evidence.
My left hand found the edge of Noah’s blanket.
“What happens now?”
“I’ll locate the successor custodian of the firm’s files,” Maren said. “I’ll also draft letters requiring preservation of any documents in your parents’ possession. And Claire, once you’re able, you’ll need to decide how far you want to pursue this.”
