Chapter 32 - The Codicil of 1974
Inside the vault lay a sealed, lead-lined tin box. Frank lifted it out with reverent care, prying open the rusted latch.
Beneath a velvet lining was an original, beautifully preserved document bearing the blue wax seal of the Supreme Court of the State of Maine, dated December 12, 1974.
Attached to it was an official international renunciation deed signed by Evelyn Montgomery in the presence of the American Consul General in Zurich, dated four months *before* Arthur Vance ever set foot back in America.
"My God," Frank breathed, reading the yellowed parchment under the beam of his flashlight. "This isn't just an annulment. This is an absolute, unconditional quitclaim deed. Evelyn surrendered every legal right to Arthur’s estate, present and future, in exchange for a cash settlement funded by Richard Sterling himself!"
"And look at the addendum," I pointed to the final paragraph, where Arthur’s bold signature was witnessed by three sovereign magistrates.
*"In the event that Richard Sterling or his agents ever attempt to use my former wife or any issue of her womb to claim this township, this instrument shall serve as an irrevocable deed of gift, transferring all lands, buildings, and water rights directly to the direct female descendant of my true marriage to Carol Vance, with absolute immunity from corporate acquisition."*
"He planned this," Carol wept softly, pressing the document against her chest. "He knew Richard would come for us one day. He spent his whole life making sure we would be safe."
May you like
"It’s over," Clara said from the foot of the stairs, smiling through her tears. "Richard has no legal standing. The Zurich court will revoke the injunction the moment this hit their registry."
"Then let’s go finish this," I said, looking at the clock on the cellar wall. It was 6:30 AM.