Chapter 22
22
O utside by the pool, the fresh air was a welcome relief to Ivy after the dust and paint fumes inside. The lazy rippling water should have been relaxing, but she was on edge about this conversation she needed to have with Lea.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Lea’s number, willing her to answer. However, once again, the call went to voicemail, asking her to leave a message.
“Lea, it’s Ivy again. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please call me back when you get this. It’s important.” She paused, wondering how much to reveal. “It’s about something else we found in the house.”
After ending the call, she ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
Just as she was about to rejoin Bennett, Forrest, and Reed in the house, her phone rang. It was Andrew. Ivy’s pulse quickened as she answered.
“Did I catch you at a good time?” His deep voice carried the thoughtful, professional precision of a well-educated man.
“As good as it gets. What’s going on?”
“I’ve submitted the legal request to the Swiss bank.” His tone held a hint of satisfaction. “Their in-house counsel verified the long-dormant account. It’s in the name of Amelia Erickson.”
Ivy caught her breath. “The account exists?” She paced along the edge of the pool, energy surging through her limbs.
“The account number you provided was a match. This is significant because these banks guard their clients’ privacy ferociously. They wouldn’t have confirmed this much information without the court’s involvement. But I have experience with reluctant financial institutions,” he added with a hint of amusement.
“What do you mean by that?”
“For example, one bank tried to get away with only paying out the original principal and withholding interest earned and compounded over decades. There are other issues, too.”
Ivy had no idea it would be so difficult. She would have to thank Viola again.
Andrew went on, “Consider hurdle number one cleared, and that’s good news. Next, we must prove Lea Martin is the rightful heir. Did you talk to her?”
Ivy allowed herself a moment of triumph before reality reasserted itself. “I’m still working on that.”
“If she can’t establish that, the bank will not release funds.” He grew more serious. “This might be a lengthy process. At some point, I’ll need to fly to Switzerland with Lea or secure a power of attorney from her.”
Ivy hoped Lea would agree to that. “And after that?”
“The final step will be proving the funds were intended for the library and art museum.” He paused. “Are you confident Lea will agree to that?”
Ivy watched a leaf drift across the pool’s surface, carried by invisible currents. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “She mentioned she was trying to sell her company. I imagine she will do well when it does.”
“A lot can happen to change people’s circumstances,” Andrew said. “Money has a way of altering promises and priorities.”
The implication hung between them, unspoken but understood. What if Lea decided to keep the entire inheritance for herself? She had every right to it. While she had relinquished any claim to the inn, she could have fought for it.
“I understand. I’m doing everything I can to reach her.”
“Keep me posted,” Andrew said. “I’ll continue preparing. And please be patient. Countries have different banking procedures. While I remain hopeful, I can’t say what the bank or the court will ultimately decide.”
After he hung up, Ivy remained by the pool, thinking about the situation. The existence of the account validated everything she’d suspected, but without Lea’s cooperation, they were still adrift. She wanted this so much for the community.
One step at a time.
She turned toward the house, where light spilled from the windows. Inside, Bennett was gesturing with enthusiasm as he spoke with Reed and Forrest. The three men were enjoying each other’s company.
She was grateful this renovation project was coming along well. If it wasn’t for sheer serendipity, it might never have happened.
Yet, uncertainty still swirled around this latest secret the old house had given up. For whatever reason, Ivy couldn’t rest until she helped the former owner realize her dream. In doing so, she hoped to realize hers, too.