“What happened?”
“Daniel objected to developing it.”
“Why?”
“Wetlands. Old growth. He thought it should remain untouched.”
“And did it?”
“Yes.”
Ethan walked closer.
“So what’s the mystery?”
Michael answered through the phone.
“The land wasn’t owned by Caldwell Development.”
Richard turned.
“What?”
“According to the papers, Grandpa bought it personally after Daniel left.”
Richard stared at the map.
“I never knew that.”
“Neither did I until eight weeks ago.”
“Who owns it now?”
Michael paused.
“That’s why I tried to find Victoria.”
I knew the answer before he said it.
“Daniel Mercer.”
My stomach dropped.
“No.”
“Not exactly,” Michael said. “There was a trust.”
Richard pressed both hands against the drafting table.
“My father created a trust?”
“Yes.”
“For Daniel?”
“For the families of Larksburg.”
I sat slowly.
Michael continued.
“The property was held for conservation. Grandpa named Daniel as the original adviser because Daniel had prepared the environmental plans.”
“But my father left the company.”
“Apparently Grandpa didn’t care.”
I could imagine that.
Two stubborn older men making arrangements around Richard while never quite telling him.
