“In November of nineteen eighty-four,” Samuel said, adjusting his reading glasses, “Victor deposited forty thousand dollars into an irrevocable asset trust.”

“Forty years ago?” I asked.

“Forty years ago,” Samuel said.

“He managed the growth himself, reinvesting every dividend into high-grade Treasury bonds.

Julian never knew it existed.”

“How much is in it now?” I asked.

“Two hundred and twelve thousand dollars,” Samuel said, resting his hands flat on the desk.

“It was registered solely in your name when you were fourteen years old.”