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Shadows of Time

By Valerie Massey Goree

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Chapter 1
The choppy waters of Puget Sound slapped against the side of the ferry as Anna Knight scanned Seattle’s iconic skyline. Although the morning sunlight glistened off the whitecaps, the brisk sea air gave her goosebumps. Rubbing her bare arms, she climbed into her vehicle. Anna seldom visited the city and was not looking forward to meeting with her mother’s attorney for the reading of the will. As an only child with no relatives, she expected to receive the majority of the estate. However, Claire Taylor was anything but predictable. Following her mother’s sudden death, Anna discovered that besides the family home on Bainbridge Island, she also owned a condo in one of Seattle’s prestigious downtown neighborhoods. The lawyer might reveal more surprises.
While Anna drove off the ferry and through the city to Maureen Webb’s office, anxious rumblings filled her stomach. Reviewing Mother’s will was Anna’s final official duty. After the meeting, maybe she could grieve.
Anna parked along the curb, entered the first floor office, and introduced herself to the dainty receptionist who wore a well-fitting aqua dress.
“Good morning, Ms. Knight.” She set down her coffee mug. “Would you care for a latte? Cappuccino?”
Although the pleasant, nutty aroma of quality coffee wafted through the small room, Anna declined. She’d already consumed her limited caffeine quota for the day.
Clutching her purse, Anna followed the young lady to a corner office. Her three-inch heels click-clicked on the marble floor.
Maureen Webb sat behind a large, steel and glass desk. The attorney, dressed in a pale orange suit, stood and tucked ink-black strands of hair behind her ear. Numerous gold bracelets jingled on her wrist as she extended her hand which displayed crimson nails that clashed with her deep olive skin.
Anna shook hands, then sat, regretting her appearance. Hair twisted in a knot on top of her head, no doubt with tendrils blown loose by the wind. Blue jeans, T-shirt, sandals. After all, she wasn’t teaching at her art institute this summer and hadn’t even thought to dress up for the visit.
“Ms. Knight, I know this must be stressful for you.” The lawyer donned a pair of ebony-rimmed glasses. “First, I need two forms of picture identification, please.”
Passport and driver’s license placed on the desk, Anna leaned back in the plush chair and tried to relax by slowing her breathing.
Ms. Webb studied the passport. “Annika Louis Knight. Is Knight your married name?”
“No. I have my father’s last name. Mother kept her maiden name.”
“I see.” She set aside the items then opened a folder. “I’ll give you a copy of the will before you leave—”
“Wait. How come you asked if I was married? Didn’t Mother discuss such matters with you?” Claire might have been aloof with Anna, but surely she’d be open with her lawyer.
“We met two months ago. She only came to my office twice.”
Knots tightened in Anna’s stomach. “Two months. Right after she got sick.” Mother’s sudden illness and rapid decline now took on an extra layer of unease. “I suppose you didn’t have time to socialize.”
“No. Your mother knew exactly what she wanted.” Ms. Webb held up a document. “Are you ready?”
As I’ll ever be. Anna nodded and crossed her legs. “Don’t bother to read all the legalize. Just get to the heart of the matter.”
“Right. Claire Taylor asked me to be the executor.” She paused. “Does that surprise you?”
“No. Mother never credited me with any business sense. And actually, I’m relieved.”
“She stipulated payment of taxes and settling her debts, listed several bequests. All her physical property is yours, but the rest of her assets are divided equally between you and the Nachwelt Foundation.”
Anna frowned. A charity? Mother never expressed any interest in helping other people, let alone leaving money to an organization. “I know Nachwelt is German for posterity, but I’ve never heard of this foundation.”
“You speak German?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not at liberty to divulge any more details, as per Ms. Taylor’s directions.”
“Okay, I suppose it really doesn’t matter.” Anna cleared her throat. “Other than the house on Bainbridge Island, her condo here in town, and her vehicle, what else did she own? She didn’t share her business dealings with me, nor her day-to-day life.”
Ms. Webb straightened in her leather chair, removed her glasses and said, “You didn’t know much about your mother, did you? Your share of her assets is in excess of forty-five million.”
Anna’s eyebrows shot up. “Dollars?” She gulped and stood, her knees ready to buckle.
“Yes. She stipulated that you not investigate the foundation.”
“I have no plans to investigate anything or anyone. I have to get out of here.” Anna slung her purse strap over her shoulder. She struggled to breathe as the room seemed to shrink. Not now. “You’re right. I didn’t know my mom at all. How did she accumulate that much wealth?” Backstepping toward the door, she shook her head. “Please mail me a copy of the will.” Anna stormed out of the office, her adrenaline-fueled blood on fire.

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