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Cullen looked pensive. “I bought this table at an auction with a few other pieces.”
Luna acknowledged him. “Yeah. It was a bulk sale. You had to buy the entire contents of the container.”
“Correct. But I bought it from a dealer who bought it from someone else.”
“So, the real owner of this envelope may be looking for it,” Luna insisted. “We may very well be doing someone a favor.”
“I seriously doubt it. If they shoved it in this junky old piece of furniture, chances are they aren’t missing it.”
“OK. But I’m still opening it. Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Luna looked at him wide-eyed.
“Of course I am,” Cullen admitted.
Luna tilted her head to the side. “I’m going to go get Chi-Chi. Then there will be three of us witnessing the ‘unveiling’ . . .”
Cullen finished her sentence. “. . . of the secret grocery shopping list.”
“Ha!” Luna barked. Wiley echoed her. “Come on, pal. Let’s go get Chi-Chi.” Luna placed the envelope on the table. “Don’t go away.”
Cullen smiled. He had to hand it to her. She was right. There was something about that table. And now they would soon find out what it was.
A short time later, Luna reappeared with Chi-Chi, Wiley wagging his tail. He was as fond of Chi-Chi as she was of him. In her melodious voice, she asked, “And what is the big commotion all about?”
Luna pointed to the table and the envelope. “We found this. It was inside a drawer that was jammed shut.”
“Why don’t you open it? Maybe it is important,” Chi-Chi offered.
“See? I told you,” Luna teased her brother. She took the putty knife and used it as a letter opener. Her hands were shaking as she unfolded the paper and began reading out loud.
“‘I, Randolph Millstone, of Millstone Manor, in the state of Massachusetts, do hereby declare this is my last will and testament and revoke all previous wills and codicils. ’” She stopped abruptly and handed it to Cullen. “Do you think it’s real?”
Cullen looked at the last sheet where a signature appeared as well as a witness to his signature. “The signature is legible.” He placed the letter on the table. The room went quiet.
“Randolph Millstone, the bazillionaire?” Luna said softly. “Huh. Didn’t he pass away a couple of months ago?” She pulled out her phone and entered his name in the search bar of her Internet browser. Within a few seconds, several news websites appeared with headlines, BILLIONAIREMILLSTONE OFMILLSTONEENTERPRISESDEAD AT87. Luna leaned against the table.
Chi-Chi was the next to speak. “Do you suppose this is thereallast one and that there may have been others before?” She pointed to the sentence about revoking all previous wills.
“What should we do?” Luna looked at Chi-Chi and Cullen.
“Contact the family?” Cullen suggested.
Luna picked up the will and began to read it. “I’m not so sure about that.” She continued to scan the pages. “It looks like Mr. Millstone is leaving his fortune to various charities. There is nothing in here indicating that any money goes to family members.”
“So what do we do?” Cullen asked.
Luna’s face lit up. “I just happen to know someone in law enforcement. Perhaps he can advise us.” Her impish grin was amusing.
“Oh, girl. I think that’s a splendid idea.” Chi-Chi was right there with encouragement.
Cullen grinned. “It really is a good idea.”
Luna took a few long inhales. She needed to center herself. Then she asked, “Text or call?”
Chi-Chi did not hesitate. “Call.”
Cullen gave a “Text!” rapid-fire response.
“I think a phone call would be better. We may not want a trail of messages,” Luna said wisely.
