The List Read Free Page B

law doesn’t favor a holographic will or one that disinherits family members. There was little doubt that your father wrote the will, but to be sure, I obtained a handwriting analysis. The results came back just before I called you yesterday.”
    â€œAnd?” Renny managed weakly.
    â€œIt’s as close to a 100 percent match as possible. I also had an extensive interview with Dr. Abbott. Do you know him?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHe is a former president of the South Carolina Psychiatric Association with impeccable credentials. He had detailed records of an interview with your father and stands completely by the report issued at the time of the will.”
    â€œDoes he have connections with the Medical College?” Renny ventured.
    â€œI thought of that, too. No, he doesn’t, and there is no way to claim any self-interest on his part that would raise a question about his medical opinion of your father’s capacity.”
    â€œ I don’t care what the psychiatrist says. This is crazy. Why would my father do this to me?” Renny asked, desperation and hurt creeping into his voice.
    â€œI don’t know. I’m a father, Renny, and I don’t understand.”
    â€œBut item one is nonsense. I didn’t know he had a gold coin collection, and I’ve never heard of the Covenant List of South Carolina, Limited. What is it? What are the conditions precedent?”
    â€œI was hoping you might shed some light on it. We’ve gone over every inventory of assets three times and found no record of this company. Since your father was involved in so much commercial development, it could be a real estate limited partnership.”
    â€œBut you don’t know.”
    â€œThat’s right. I’m guessing.”
    Renny put the papers on the edge of McClintock’s desk. “We can’t tear this up and probate the other will can we?”
    â€œI’m sorry, but you know the answer to that. Since I’m the executor, I can exercise as much leeway as possible in interpreting ‘personal belongings.’ There are several valuable antiques at the Isle of Palms house. I’m going to consider those items personal belongings so that you can have them. Also, I would advise you to consider getting another legal opinion about the legitimacy of the will.”
    â€œI understand, but the handwriting is on the wall, or actually on these sheets of paper,” Renny said bitterly. “Being on the receiving end of a lawyer telling his client what the client doesn’t want to hear is painful.”
    â€œI can’t blame you for anything you feel,” McClintock responded. “I didn’t want to have to give you this news.” He handed Renny a key. “This is the key to safe deposit box 413 at the Planters and Merchants Bank downtown. You are a signatory, aren’t you?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThere’s one other puzzling thing.”
    â€œWhat else?” Renny asked, bracing for more bad news.
    â€œNothing substantive. Included with some routine postmortem instructions was a letter.” McClintock read aloud:
    Dear Jeff,
    The enclosed information will assist you in probating my estate. As soon as possible, please send a copy of my obituary notice to the people on the attached list.
    H. L.
    Handing the second sheet to Renny, McClintock asked, “Do you know any of these individuals?”
    Renny quickly scanned the names. No one was immediately familiar. As he read over it more slowly, he counted nine names with post office box addresses—no street names, no phone numbers. All men, no women.
    â€œI don’t know any of these men,” Renny responded slowly. “I recognize several family names, families with a long history in the Low Country.”
    â€œIt was the same with me.”
    â€œAs far as I know, none of them are relatives. I don’t see the names of any of my father’s business associates