Page 125 of The Illusion
Ryan sits up. "Who is it?"
"Gregory Hale. Dean's attorney."
Jamie's eyes go wide. "Answer it."
I swipe to accept the call and put it on speaker. "Hello?"
"Julie." Gregory's voice is formal, professional. "I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."
"No. Now is fine."
"Good. I'm calling because I was notified by your attorney that separation papers have been filed."
My heart starts pounding. "Yes. That's correct."
"That has changed things."
I glance at Ryan. He's leaning forward now, his expression tense. "Changed things how?" I ask.
"As you may recall, the details of the Dean Stevens Living Trust were not scheduled to be distributed until the one-year mark following his death. However, your separation filing has triggered what we call an 'early distribution clause.'"
My brain is somewhere out on the back nine, taking a siesta in a golf cart. The man may as well be speaking French. "A what?"
"A triggering event," Gregory explains. "Your late father-in-law built certain contingencies into the trust structure. Conditions that, if met, would accelerate the distribution timeline."
"I don't understand."
"The separation qualifies as a triggering event. Which means the trust will now be distributed immediately, rather than waiting for the one-year mark."
The room tilts slightly. Jamie reaches over and grabs my hand. "Okay," I say slowly. "So what does that mean?"
"It means I need you to come to my office on Wednesday at ten a.m. for a formal reading and distribution of the trust assets."
"Wednesday. This Wednesday?"
"Yes."
"Is there anything else I need to know?”
"No. Everything will be explained at the meeting," Gregory says.
"Okay. I'll be there."
"Excellent. I'll send you the address via email.”
After we say our goodbyes, I set the phone down and stare at it.
"What the fuck was that?" Jamie breathes.
"I have no idea."
Ryan runs a hand through his hair. "A triggering event. Jesus Christ. Dean planned for this."
"Planned for what?" I ask. "What does it mean?"
"I don't know. But whatever it is, it's big."
Before any of us can say anything else, the phone rings again. We all stare at it. Gregory Hale.
