“Sloan,” she said when I told her what happened, “come to my office.”
I did.
Phoebe listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she opened a drawer.
“Everett anticipated this.”
A chill moved through me.
“What?”
“Not this exact behavior.
But he anticipated that someone might pressure you regarding Bellweather.”
She handed me a sealed envelope.
My name was written across the front in Grandfather’s handwriting.
I stared at it.
“Why didn’t I get this at the will reading?”
“Because your grandfather left instructions that you were to receive it only if you ever contacted me about coercion involving the estate.”
My hands began trembling.
I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
Sloan,
If Phoebe has given you this, someone has shown you who they are.
Believe them.
Do not waste time waiting for them to become the person you hoped they were.
Bellweather House is protected, but protection works only if you understand the trap before you step into it.
