This is an excerpt from AWAKENING MACBETH in which University of Virginia professor Brodie Macbeth learns the strange terms of her late father's will . . .
Mr. Smithfield cleared his throat. “This leaves you to inherit the remainder of your father’s
estate. Namely the property on Granite Castle Road in Charlottesville, the contents of your father’s office at the University of Virginia, his bank accounts in both the United States and Great Britain, and an investment portfolio managed by this firm. As you can see, this is quite a sizeable inheritance.”
He passed a paper across the table to Brodie. She skimmed the paper, which
listed Wallace Macbeth’s total assets. Nearly $800,000 divided among several bank accounts in Charlottesville. Twice that amount in the Royal Bank of Scotland with another two million dollars invested in blue chip stocks. And the house was worth over a million dollars.
“Are you sure this is right?” Brodie felt dazed as she passed the paper to Diana. She’d had no idea
her father had that kind of money. It was almost too much to take in.
“Your father purchased the house over 30 years ago,” Mr. Cooper said, as if Brodie hadn’t grown up there. “It was assessed very fairly.” He paused and the two lawyers exchanged glances. “I expect you’ll be wanting to sell? Obviously you can now afford to live anywhere. Our specialist in luxury
properties has a few suggestions and would be willing to--.”
“No,” Brodie heard herself say. “I’ll move in.”
“You wish to occupy the house?” Mr. Smithfield asked, his tone a mix of condescension and disappointment.
“Next week is spring break,” Brodie said firmly. “I’ll go to Edinburgh to give Kay the painting. When I come back, I’ll move into the house.”
Both lawyers shifted in their chairs. “There are two caveats,” Mr. Cooper said slowly. His tie pinched his fleshy neck. “You must agree to read your father’s collection of British histories. I believe the books
are located in the Granite Castle Road house.”
“Dad’s books?” This was a legacy Brodie could understand. She nodded. “Yes, of course I’ll read them.”
Cooper went on. “You must also agree to put the registration of your father’s license plates in your name and use them on your own vehicle for as long as
you reside in the state of Virginia. If you move from the state you cannot return the plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles but must keep them as personal property.”
Brodie blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“Before you can claim any part of your inheritance, you must put his license plates in your
own name and commit to lifelong ownership,” Mr. Smithfield said. “Your father was very specific on this point. If you don’t agree to these terms, all of Dr. Macbeth’s assets revert to the state of Virginia.”
“I don’t inherit anything unless I use Dad’s license plates?” Brodie asked in bewilderment, her control over events slipping away once more.
Mr. Smithfield peered at the date on the top of the long sheaf of papers that was Wallace Macbeth’s will. “I remember distinctly when your father came in and made these arrangements. It was about six years ago and he was very specific.”
“He planned all this six years ago?” Brodie asked.
“Yes,” the lawyer said. “He was very emphatic. If you don’t agree to the terms of the license plates, you inherit nothing.”
Keep reading AWAKENING
MACBETH to find out what's the secret behind those license plates!
