There were two bedrooms in the cabin. One had been turned into a makeshift office, with a laptop and printer.

Koffitz brought up a document on his laptop and printed out a copy. “The only problem, of course, was that he didn’t get to sign the papers. So it’s worthless in court. BUT… he fully intended to sign it the following day.”

I looked through the papers. I didn’t understand some of the legalese, but even to me it seemed clear that Mrs. Templeton and Vincent split every physical asset and bank account, but Connor got control over the company itself.

“This makes no sense,” I said. “Mr. Templeton had dinner with us once. That was it. He wasn’t going to sign over everything he’d worked decades for just because of that one dinner. Even if he was trying to mend the relationship, he wouldn’t have done that.”

“You’re thinking Augustus wouldn’t have given Connor control because of whatever bad blood existed between them. But the truth was, he immensely respected Connor. Connor was the one who set out on his own and built a multi-billion-dollar empire out of nothing. Connor was the one who never let anything stop him. Connor was the one who – ”

“But Mr. Templeton tried to blackmail him!” I cried out.

“Yes, but that was purely out of self-preservation. Augustus only did it because he felt his back was against the wall – that Connor would destroy the Templeton Group, given enough time. And yet Connor turned the whole episode into a positive. He used the media attention to publicize his solar company, introducing it to tens of millions of Americans who never would have cared otherwise – and he got their support.”

I still wasn’t buying it. I had been on the receiving end of the blackmail attempt, and I remembered it very differently from the way Koffitz was portraying it. “Great – so he respected Connor. Why would he screw over his wife and other son, then?”

“The choice was never between Connor on one side, and Lenora and Vincent on the other. The choice was between Connor or Miranda. Augustus knew that when he died, Miranda would take over. There was no way it could be avoided, short of having her killed – which is where he drew the line. And so he chose to give control to Connor instead. At least that way, he could ensure his legacy would outlive him. Perhaps in an altered fashion, but it would survive.”

“His company and legacy would have survived if Miranda was in control,” I argued.

Koffitz shook his head. “Augustus wouldn’t tell me, but I got the sense that he knew something about Miranda. Some sort of secret that ruled out putting the company in her hands.”

“What, that Miranda tried to kill Connor?”

“I think that started his change of heart. But he didn’t ask me to draw up the new will until two months ago, so I think he found out something worse.”

“What could she have done worse than try to kill his son?”

Koffitz shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is that he didn’t approach me about the new will until two months ago.”

“He sure did tell you a lot,” I said, my voice betraying my suspicion.

“We were friends for nearly thirty years.”

“Why aren’t you his lawyer, then?”

“I was – for the first twenty.”

“What happened?”

“I lost a case ten years ago. A very expensive case.”

“And he fired you?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you were friends?”

Koffitz chuckled. “Augustus Templeton didn’t like to lose.”

That much I could believe. “But you stayed friends?”

“No, not really. I was angry for years. We eventually came to better terms, though we were never as close as before. But when he came calling a few months ago, I couldn’t turn him away.”

“He wanted you to draw up a new will?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t he just have the other firm change it?”

“He was convinced Miranda had spies in the law firm – in fact, that she had spies in virtually every corner of his empire. He believed the only way he could avoid a nasty intra-family battle was to alter the will secretly.” Koffitz looked dour. “But apparently she found out anyway.”

“So you’re convinced that Miranda’s behind everything?”

“To tell the truth, I always thought he was paranoid – until I heard about his death. Events happened exactly as he predicted them. Now I believe him without question: that the attempt on Connor’s life was Miranda’s doing, and that everything following it was, too – including Augustus’s death.”

My heart beat faster. “Would you testify about all this in court?”

“I told you, it’s all speculation and hearsay.”

“But you said the will provides motive.”

“It does. However, the extent of my involvement would be testifying that I prepared the will for him, and only that.”

“You could testify about what Mr. Templeton told you.”

Koffitz snorted. “I don’t have a death wish, young lady.”

“You’re afraid of Miranda?”

“Of course I’m afraid of Miranda. If she knew I was going to testify – ”

“What if we could guarantee your safety?”

“No one can guarantee my safety.”

“But if we could?”

“She wouldn’t just come after me, you know. She would come after everyone in my family. Anyone whose safety she could hold over my head.”

“We’ll figure something out, I promise.”

He gave a noncommittal grunt.

“Can I get a digital copy of the will?” I asked as I put the paper version in my purse.

“Do you have a thumb drive?”

I did, one I kept handy for work. He plugged it in and downloaded the file from his laptop.

“Don’t share this with anyone unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he warned as he handed the thumb drive back. “And don’t bring my name up unless it’s at the business end of a gun. And even then, I would appreciate it if you gave them someone else’s name.”

“You could come back with us,” I suggested. “We could keep you safe.”

“The only reason you think you’re safe is because it’s in Miranda’s best interest to keep you alive. As soon as it isn’t…”

He swiped his hand across his throat in a cutting motion.

I sighed. “Well… thank you for telling us all this, at least.”

“Don’t make me regret it.”

As he walked us back out to the front room, I asked, “Do you have any leads we might follow? Any idea what we can do next?”

He thought for a second. “If you find out what disturbed Augustus enough that he would hand over his entire empire to his estranged son, I’m fairly certain you’ll find what you need to free Connor.”

“And put Miranda in prison?”

“Maybe.”

He opened the door. Johnny and I started down the steps, but before we left, I had one last question.         

“You said that Mr. Templeton mentioned me.”

“Yes, he did.”

My insides twisted, because I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. But I asked anyway. “What did he say about me?”

“It was after you invited him to dinner. He said that the fact you had seemingly forgiven him, and that his son was marrying you, suggested to him that Connor was on the right path – but he wanted to talk to you, personally, before making his final decision.”

“Huh,” I said. I was heartened but still glum at the same time. It was amazing there was even a chance Mr. Templeton had felt that way about me; but it sucked that I would never know. “It’s too bad he died without telling you what he thought.”

“Oh, he did,” Mr. Koffitz said.

I frowned. “But you said he only left you a voicemail before he died.”

“That’s correct. And I quote: ‘I met them for dinner. Connor’s on the right path. Prepare the documents, I’ll be by to sign them tomorrow morning.’”

I stood there in shock, and my eyes started to mist up.

Connor’s on the right path.

Mr. Templeton had thought enough of me that he had been willing to leave his entire empire to his estranged son.

“Go on,” Koffitz said, shooing us away. “Good luck to you both, but don’t come back here again unless you bring the Army, the Marines, and the CIA to guard me.”

Then he closed the door.

I saw the curtains move the tiniest bit as we drove down the gravel road, back towards Manhattan.