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MRS SLOAN'S LIBRARY WAS CHARMING IN THE LIGHT OF THREE strategically placed standard la

They sat in the cream-colored armchairs Geneva adopted such a formal position that Kathy was automatically reunited with the sense of unease, which had not really abandoned her, despite the warmth of the canine scene in the hall

"I want to talk business with you, Katherine"

"Business?"

"Yes Uhm… I've seen… We've all seen Jesse's copy of my aunt's will It's kind of aard, don't you think? I'al But Jesse said the notary had strict orders from my aunt that, if the worst should happen, he was to send him that information by fax"

Kathy decided she was now presented with a fine opportunity to tie up some loose ends

"And do you have any idea why? Why she would wish to deliver the contents of her last will and testa at the notary's office?"

"Because of you," answered Geneva in a matter-of-fact tone

That was the answer all the chain of i this matter had led her to expect

"I was afraid you would say that"

"My aunt knew Jesse would have to convince you to be here She must have felt it would be easier if he could show you proof that you had a right to"

In spite of Kathy's readiness to perceive it, there was no trace of resent woman's words Quite on the contrary, her tone of voice seereed with the way her aunt had arranged things

"I a away the doubts that ht still remain "We didn't visit that often - about once a year when I was a kid, more rarely as an adult -, but she was always nice to o I read one of her books and wrote to her saying that I'd really enjoyed it I felt silly when I posted the letter, because I'd never written to her before and the last times my mother had travelled to visit, I hadn't coe, suddenly receiving a note from me - out of place

But she wrote back And it was a wonderful letter, where she thankedIt was as if we'd suddenly established a connection, you know?"