Page 78 of Scored

It wasn’t my choice.

Fin’s-in-control.

When I let him be.

I didn’t say that. Instead, I smiled as I gathered my things.

Jen met me as I entered the front office. “Both of your visitors are inside.” She nodded toward my closed office door.

With everything happening, I hadn’t given much thought to this meeting. Now, as I opened the door, I was struck with overwhelming curiosity. Both Cammy and Trish were inside, seated at my small conference table. Our food was on the table in to-go containers as were a pitcher of ice water and one of iced tea.

“Hello.” I set my things on my desk and turned toward the two attorneys. “What is this emergency meeting about?”

CHAPTER 31

Vee

Any apprehension I felt melted at the sight of both ladies’ smiles. There were too many things on my mind to be able to narrow down what they were happy about. I walked to the table and stood by my chair. “Please, one of you spill. What’s this about?”

Cammy looked at Trish and Trish back to Cammy.

Cammy was the one to speak first. “Vee, a few months ago, Trish requested a separation order, to separate the Coopers from Reid’s estate.”

The memory was foggy. One blip on the radar during three months filled with threatening flare-ups. “I remember that.” I turned to Trish with wide eyes. “The judge granted it?”

“Yes,” Trish said, “and at first, no.”

I shook my head and took the seat. “I don’t understand.”

“Originally,” Trish said, “the judge rejected my request. I didn’t tell you because I planned to fight, to appeal.”

“To appeal,” Cammy tapped in, “you need valid legal grounds.”

“Do we have those?” I asked.

“Back around the time Trish requested the separation order,” Cammy said, “I found documents from about six years ago that hinted toward the creation of a trust. Every avenue I found came to a dead end. I even went to Joseph Eads. I figured if Reid had a trust created, he would go to his attorney.”

“What did Joe say?”

Trish shook her head. “He denied that a trust existed, which left four options. One, the trust was never created. Two, Joseph Eads was lying⁠—”

“Which is grounds for disbarment,” Cammy interjected.

“Unless,” Trish qualified, “you’re not the beneficiary of the trust. The representative of the trust is only required by law to notify the beneficiary or heirs.”

“I’m an heir.”

“Of the trust,” Cammy explained. “Being an heir in a will isn’t the same thing.”

“Three,” Trish continued, “you’re not the beneficiary of the trust. Or four” —her smile grew— “Reid didn’t go to Joseph Eads to create the trust.”

“Then who?” I asked. “Joe has been Dad’s lawyer for as long as I can remember.”

Trish continued. “Trusts are tricky formalities. There are many good reasons to create one. And Reid Hubbard did create a trust holding everything tied to the Coopers organization.”

Tears filled my eyes. “He did? Is it me? Did he name me?”

Trish covered my hand with hers. “He named you.”