CHAPTER 6: Registration Card for a Ghost

Julian reached for the envelope.
Noah closed the glove box halfway with his forearm and looked at him.
The attorney stopped. Procedure, Noah knew, had trained Julian better than morality ever could.
Noah took out the registration card first.
The sedan was not listed under Adrienne, not under Everett's personal estate, and not under the shell company Julian had created after the funeral.
It belonged to Marlow Continuity Trust.
Beneath that, in narrow typed letters, was Noah's full legal name as emergency trustee upon the founder's incapacity or death.
Adrienne stared at the card as if ink had betrayed her.
"That was never executed," Julian said.
"It was renewed every year," Noah replied. "By your office. You billed him for it."
Julian's mouth opened, then closed.
For the first time, Adrienne looked less annoyed than exposed.
The parking lot lights hummed above them, bright and merciless, making every expression look official.