Chapter 4 - The Missing Page.
Ethan called Daniel Walsh before leaving the pantry.
The attorney answered on the fourth ring with the smooth patience that had made him trusted by three generations of Harringtons.
"Ethan, I was just reviewing tomorrow's documents."
"Change of plan."
"I'd like you here tonight."
There was a pause.
"Is something wrong?"
Ethan looked at Mrs. Bell's returned letter.
"You tell me."
Daniel arrived forty minutes later carrying a leather folder and wearing an expression of professional concern.
Celeste appeared at the top of the staircase the moment he entered.
That alone told Ethan she had been waiting for him.
"What is he doing here?" she asked.
Daniel looked from brother to sister.
"Ethan asked me to come early."
"Without telling me?"
Ethan almost laughed.
"I did not realize I needed your permission to speak with my attorney."
They gathered in the library while Mara kept Lily upstairs.
Mrs. Bell sat near the door despite Celeste's obvious irritation.
Ethan placed the hidden note, the returned letter, and the black notebook on the table.
Daniel's face changed when he saw the notebook.
It was only a flicker, but Ethan caught it.
"You recognize this?"
Daniel adjusted his glasses.
"It resembles one of your mother's appointment books."
Ethan opened it.
Most pages contained ordinary notes about gardeners, doctors, charities, and family dinners.
Then he reached October.
October ninth had been torn out cleanly.
The page before it ended with one line.
D.W. confirmed bank witness at eleven.
Celeste leaned back.
"D.W. could mean anyone."
Daniel looked offended.
"I assume you mean me."
Ethan turned to him.
"Were you here on October ninth?"
Daniel hesitated.
"I do not remember every appointment from three years ago."
Mrs. Bell spoke quietly.
"You were not here."
"Mrs. Harrington said she chose another attorney because she wanted independent counsel."
Daniel's composure tightened.
Celeste stood.
"This is getting absurd."
Ethan pointed to her chair.
"Sit down."
For the first time in years, Celeste actually obeyed him.
Ethan opened Daniel's leather folder before the attorney could stop him.
Inside were the documents planned for the next morning.
The top page was titled Temporary Asset Stewardship Agreement.
Under its language, Ethan would transfer broad management authority over Harrington House, the family foundation, and several holding companies to Celeste for eighteen months.
"You told me this was about simplifying tax reporting," Ethan said.
Daniel cleared his throat.
"That is one purpose."
"It also gives Celeste authority to sell real property."
"With appropriate review."
"Whose review?"
Daniel said nothing.
Ethan flipped to the signature page.
A sticky note marked the line where he was expected to sign.
Celeste's signature was already present.
"How long have you two been preparing this?"
Celeste's voice turned sharp.
"Because you are never here."
"You live in airports and boardrooms while I keep this family functioning."
Ethan looked toward Mrs. Bell.
"Does keeping the family functioning include scaring my daughter away from a piano?"
Celeste rose again.
"Do not twist this."
"Then explain it."
She stared at him, furious and cornered.
Daniel reached for the folder.
Ethan pulled it away.
"I want Mother's complete estate file."
Daniel nodded too quickly.
"Of course."
"Tonight."
"The originals are in secure storage."
"Then bring copies."
Daniel's eyes dropped to the black notebook.
"There is one complication."
Ethan waited.
The attorney slowly exhaled.
"The copy we have on file is missing a page."
Mrs. Bell gripped the arms of her chair.
Celeste looked at Daniel with pure warning.
Ethan saw it.
"Which page?"
Daniel removed his glasses.
May you like
"The final beneficiary schedule."
And for the first time, Ethan understood that the missing page might be worth more than the entire mansion around them.
