Page 157 of Ghost

“If I get through this day without a migraine, it will be a miracle,” Ellen murmured, rubbing her temples.

“Ellen, I’ve really thought about this, and I just don’t think I’m the right person to deal with all this.It’s a lot to take on and I have no experience in dealing with large sums of money.”

“I don’t pretend to understand how you are feeling.”Ellen took the cup of tea from Sharon who had returned.Sharon set the sherry next to Ellen, giving her a quick wink.

Mason smirked at Sharon.He knew that wasn’t sherry in the dainty little glass.No, it was a healthy shot of bourbon.He also noticed that Ellen didn’t offer him any either.

“However, I have known Arthur his whole life and most of his father’s.He has given me his promise that he has lined up two financial planners with excellent reputations, good references, whom he trusts.That’s all I needed to hear.”

“Two?”

“Never put all your eggs in one basket, Mason.”Ellen rested the teacup and saucer on her lap.She reached for thesherryand drained the glass.“I’m actually going to ask him to find a third if possible.I have a feeling you will want one in Europe.Perhaps Switzerland would be a good choice.”

“Three?In Europe?Are you serious?”Mason sat down, resting his head against the back of the chair.“Just seems too complicated.”

“It’s why you divvy it up, so it’s not so much work.They do the work for you.”

Mason sighed heavily.

“Do you trust me, Mason?”Ellen asked.

Mason sighed heavily.“You know I do.”

“Then will you just let me handle this please?There will be time for questions later, and Gerald will help of course.He does have his uses.”

“I heard that!”Gerald’s voice echoed around the room, even though he wasn’t there.

Ellen rolled her eyes.“Of course you did, dear.”

There was a knock on the door and Sharon escorted Arthur Stockbridge and a woman.They were both wearing business suits, and each had a briefcase.

“Sharon, would you bring some coffee for us and serve in the office?”Ellen stood.“I think it will be easier to conduct business with a desk.”

Sharon left and winked at Mason.Mason had begun to count on Sharon more and more since they returned from the plantation.She was proving to be a good friend and he genuinely liked her.It didn’t hurt that she was very smart, too.

Once everyone was seated and Sharon had set up the coffee, each of them with a cup, Ellen stood, opened a door that looked like a closet and began to open up a fairly large safe.

“You know, it took a lot of convincing from Gerald to have this big safe installed.”She got the door open and retrieved a stack of documents, tied together with a red ribbon.She then shut the door and spun the tumbler.“Now, I’m very glad he did.”

“Arthur, I trust you to be very discreet in the handling of this.”Ellen held out the bundle to him.“As it is, only the people in this house know of this.”

Arthur pulled a pair of glasses from his suit jacket pocket.“Let’s see what we have here.”

“Read the letter on top before you delve into the rest of it.”Ellen sat down in a small chair beside the desk, leaving Arthur the larger chair at the desk.

After a moment he looked at Ellen over his glasses.“Where did you find these?”

“I didn’t find them.Mason found them in a drawer of the bedroom furniture that had been Francis Watson’s.I returned all the furniture that I had collected from Imogene Watson, so that it would remain with the house.”Ellen didn’t bat an eye at telling such a white lie.

Arthur removed his glasses.“So, what you’re telling me is that this,” he held up the stack of papers, “that all this belongs to Mason?”

“Yes, that is what I am telling you, yes.”

Arthur handed the handwritten letter that Francis had authored to his secretary.He had noticed that there were three witness’s signatures as well as Francis’.“We need to make an itemized list of each one of these documents, make a copy, and give one to Mason Montgomery as a receipt.”

The woman nodded and opened her briefcase, pulled out a pen, a legal pad and a box.She put the box on the desk, and used the briefcase as a desktop where she began to make a list.

“Ya’ll can go about your business,” Arthur said looking at Ellen and Mason.“This is going to take a little while.”He sighed.“Much longer than I anticipated.”