The sound of the heavy front doorbell rang throughout the quiet mansion fifteen minutes later.
Richard stepped past Clara and walked back down the grand hallway to open the door.
An elderly man holding a black leather briefcase stood on the front porch step.
Arthur Pendelton had been the family attorney for over thirty years without interruption.
Arthur: Good afternoon, Richard. I received your urgent text message regarding the estate files.
Richard: Please come inside, Arthur. We have a major issue to discuss right now.
Arthur stepped into the grand foyer, placing his briefcase on the hall table.
Clara walked down the stairs slowly, looking noticeably paler than she had before.
Clara: Arthur, we did not expect you to arrive until late tomorrow afternoon.
Arthur: Richard requested that I review the original trust papers immediately today, Clara.
Richard handed the stack of documents directly to the experienced family lawyer.
Richard: Look at paragraph four on page three, Arthur.
Arthur pulled out his reading glasses and carefully scanned the fine black print.
His eyebrow lifted slightly as he reached the bottom of the second page.
Arthur: This signature does not match the original documents in my office vault.
Richard turned his gaze sharply toward Clara, who stood motionless by the stairs.
Richard: What did you alter in these files, Clara?
Clara: I never touched those legal papers, Richard!
Arthur: Someone made a copy of this page and changed the trustee name recently.