The hallway smelled of varnish, radiator heat and paper dust.

Attorney Miller handed me a four-page legal document with a blue seal stamped in the top corner.

“This authorization lets Vance speak officially for you in front of the directors,” Miller said.

I picked up the black pen from the blotter.

My silver band went around my ring finger twice before I set the nib on the paper.

“Once you sign this filing, Clara, there’s no more chance of settling this within the family,” Miller said.

“Dean will be suspended as estate executor on an emergency basis right away.”