Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
O live wasn’t ready to drop this conversation. “You saw Daphne this morning?”
Wayne tilted his head before taking a sip of his coffee. “Is that a problem?”
“No, except we thought she left yesterday morning to go back to California,” Reid muttered.
What was Daphne hoping to accomplish by remaining in town?
There was definitely much more to the woman’s presence here than she let on.
Olive vowed to find answers.
Maybe Daphne was even involved somehow in the scheme Olive was investigating.
Olive would get to the bottom of this if it was the last thing she did.
She set aside her thoughts about Daphne. She’d think about the woman more later.
Right now, she wanted to hear what Wayne had to say about this will.
As he stared at the papers in front of him, the attorney let out a deep breath that seemed to indicate bad news.
Olive braced herself for whatever he was about to say.
“Now to the reason you guys came.” Wayne glanced between both of them. “I know you’re anxious for an update on this will.”
“Very.” Reid’s voice sounded short and clipped.
“Let me start with this first.” Wayne set his coffee down, his face turning grimmer. “The law firm that’s supposedly representing Lucy in this matter . . . they’re real and based out of Billings. I put in a call with them to ask more questions, but I haven’t heard back yet.”
Reid scowled. “That’s unfortunate.”
“It is possible for someone to reproduce a letterhead that looks official and is from an actual business,” Olive pointed out. “Especially with the advances we have in technology. It makes being a criminal easier than ever.”
Wayne let out a breath before rocking his head back and forth. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear. But I have to say this document Lucy brought you looks legitimate.”
“But it’s not. I need to prove that.” Reid glowered as the words left his lips.
“The fact my father has now passed makes this more complicated,” Wayne said. “All we really have to go on is this document versus that one, your word against hers.”
Olive studied Wayne a moment. “Your father notarized both versions?”
“He did.”
“What about the dates they were signed?” Olive continued. “They should be different on them, right?”
“Yes . . .” Wayne’s lips flickered down in a frown. “Unless the dates were also forged.”
Reid sighed. “So what can I do?”
“Unless you and Lucy compromise or one side backs off then this matter will most likely go to trial.” Wayne rubbed his chin, covering his frown. “Lucy will probably take you to probate court to try to prove this will is legitimate. In return, you can take her to court for producing a fraudulent document. I feel obligated to let you know that it would be time-consuming and costly.”
“There’s nothing else I can do?” Disbelief stretched through Reid’s voice. “I’m not just going to roll over and give away my family’s property and livestock.”
“Not really,” Wayne said. “Unless you want to concede and give Lucy part of the property.”
“Not on my life.” Reid’s voice left no room for doubt.
“That’s what I thought you’d say—and I don’t blame you one bit. I’d do the same in your shoes.” Wayne straightened the stack of papers in front of him. “If that’s the case, then I guess you’ll need to let Lucy officially know you aren’t accepting this as a legitimate will. You’ll need to wait for her next move.”
Reid sat up straighter as if determination hardened his spine. “Then that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m not going down without a fight on this. I don’t care what anyone says or does to me. The Harrisons have never been scared off from defending what’s theirs. And it’s not going to start now.”
Wayne gave him a nod. “That’s the spirit. I’ll set this in motion and keep you updated in the meantime.”