It was Thomas Bellamy, apologizing for how late it was, with a copy of the filed petition already in his hands.

Patricia and Spencer had moved quicker than anybody had expected.

The formal challenge claimed severe dementia and undue influence, and it named a doctor I’d never heard of.

“Ms.

Whitcomb,” Thomas said, “they’re saying Walter wasn’t competent to sign anything after June.”

“That’s impossible.

He was sharp as a tack in June.

He was sharp in September.”