CHAPTER FOUR

The thin man took up a position at the heavy wooden desk which faced the waiting group.Adjusting his spectacles and clearing his throat,the lawyer looked around the room checking to see if everyone was present as requested.Noticing the stranger at the back of the room,he frowned slightly and moved to where he waited.

Maybe now,we will find out who he is and why he is here,Julie thought to herself

as she watched the lawyer engage him in a softly voice conversation.But her hopes were dashed when the twany-haired man nodded twice at something the lawyer said and, straightened from his relaxed pose, turned and left the room. The lawyer returned to his desk and once again cleared his throat.Julie decided he must be an associate of Mr. Washburn's who had come to receive instructions of some kind from him. He had nothing to do with her at all. Then why,her mind niggled back,had he stared at her like he had?Her musings were broken by the solemn voice of the lawyer as he spoke, "thank you all for coming this afternoon.I realize it is somewhat unusual to have the reading of the last will and testament of the deceased on the same day as the funeral. But it was one of the charges laid upon me by James Leighton when this document was drawn up."Julie felt her insides grow cold as the finality of the lawyer's words reaffirmed that she was not asleep and dreaming.she was wide awake and living a nightmare.She could hear Sara's voice,as though through a fog,when she said," we understand,Mr Washburn. Please proceed."The rustling of paper was followed by the lawyer's voice as he reads. "I, James Patrick Leighton, being of sound mind and physical condition do this day set forth in writing my last will and testament according to the laws of the state..."The ponderous tones of the stiff legal phrasing on Julie's ears like the breakers of storm crashing a ship against rock. Her mind refused to accept what it was hearing and drifted to more pleasant thoughts and happier times. Times when she and her father had laughed and enjoyed life together.As a child, she had trailed behind him whenever she could learning as she did all that went into the running of a casino. Her skill and knowledge of cards and dice had grown over the years and had been quite source of pride for her father.