The Seventh Tapestry: An Art Crime Mystery by Camp Beth

Author:Camp, Beth [Camp, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-21T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19: Reading of the Will

SANDRA CHOSE A CHAIR in the small conference room with her back against the wall. She studied the people as they entered; three rows of chairs slowly filled up. A tall, distinguished man nodded at her. He reminded her of someone she had seen elsewhere, perhaps at the Museum. Had he been at the funeral? Images of the green gardens at the Church of Holy Rude in Stirling filled her mind, and she closed her eyes as a hum of conversation rose. Now she wished she had brought Neil with her. Anything to distract her from thinking about Adele’s death – or the ransacking of her apartment.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Neil. The police are done with your apartment. Meet me there after your meeting? She quickly sent a note. I’ll text when I’m through here.

Mr. Ashton finally entered and took his place behind a small podium, his normally brisk manner subdued. He nodded at those seated.

“Today is a very preliminary meeting following the death of Mrs. Adele Campbell. Please be advised that I am the executor-dative of her estate. Over the next eight months to a year, I will provide a valuation of her estate and pay the appropriate inheritance taxes. Once her assets are unfrozen, I will administer her bequests in accordance with the terms of her will.”

Sandra fidgeted. All of Adele’s love of life reduced to a cold room filled with strangers?

“I do anticipate a smooth resolution of her estate as there are no outstanding debts, nor are there any surviving members of her family.” He glanced again around at the people gathered. “You may wish to know that most of the assets are to be distributed to Mrs. Campbell’s favorite charities. If you have any personal documentation of Mrs. Campbell’s wishes, please see my secretary before leaving. Thank you.”

Sandra stood to file out with the others, no longer sure why she had been invited to attend.

“Miss Robertson? A word, please.” Mr. Ashton directed her to his inner office. “Do you have a moment?” At Sandra’s nod, he gestured for her to sit.

“Mrs. Campbell instructed me to give you this key to a safe deposit box at Morgan Vault, just off the Royal Mile. That’s close to where you live, yes?”

Sandra nodded again. “I’m not sure why Mrs. Campbell would give me anything.”

“She had a fondness for you,” said Mr. Ashton. “Mrs. Campbell told me she placed some papers in the safety deposit box that she wanted you to have. Perhaps some additional information about the Narwhal Cup. I’m not sure what else may be in the box, but she wanted you to have whatever is there.”

“I’m more than a little surprised.” Her eyes began to smart. “It’s still hard for me to realize that she’s gone.”

“We are all saddened by her passing. I do want to reassure you that your Museum of Medieval Art is well represented in Mrs. Campbell’s other bequests, including her very precious tapestry, though it would

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