Naomi followed.
Their yellow skirts moved around their knees as they crossed the parking lot.
A tall man in a charcoal suit stepped aside to avoid them.
James Holloway turned.
He was fifty-four, compact, with rimless glasses and a bald head polished by the sun. He had represented Nathaniel Carter for nearly twenty years.
Lillian reached him first.
“Mr. Holloway.”
He looked down.
“Lillian.”
She pointed toward Naomi.
“Mama says she can't ride because she isn't immediate.”
James’s expression changed.
“What?”
Naomi wiped her face with both hands.
Lillian continued.
“Grandpa said both of us go.”
James looked across the parking lot.
Directly at Vivian.
He did not look angry.
That made her more nervous.
Beside him stood Nathaniel’s accountant, Reverend Ellis Porter, and a banker Vivian recognized from Citizens Savings.
All three men exchanged a glance.
James crouched.
“Did your mother say Naomi isn't family?”
Lillian looked toward Vivian.
“She said legal things aren't settled.”
James closed his eyes briefly.
Then stood.
He handed his briefcase to Reverend Porter.
“No.”
Porter frowned.
“No?”
“No cemetery yet.”
Vivian heard none of this.
She only watched the three men begin walking toward her.
Lillian and Naomi followed.
Ruby stood beside Vivian with her arms folded.
Walter whispered:
“What is going on?”
Vivian did not answer.
James stopped in front of her.
“Vivian.”
“James.”
His expression remained professional.
“Did you tell Naomi there is a legal question about whether she belongs in the family procession?”
Vivian stared.
“I said there are estate matters unresolved.”
“That is true.”
“Then?”
“It has nothing to do with whether she is Nathaniel’s granddaughter.”
Ruby’s eyes filled.
Vivian’s face hardened.
“We don't have documentation from Leon.”
James looked surprised.
“Yes, we do.”
Silence.
Vivian stared.
“What?”
“We have extensive documentation.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“My father told me—”
“Your father told you what he was emotionally capable of telling you at the time.”
Vivian’s expression changed.
James continued carefully.
“He told me something else in writing.”
The banker shifted.
Vivian looked from one man to another.
“What are you doing?”
James took the briefcase back.
“I had hoped to wait until after burial.”
“So had Nathaniel.”
He looked toward Naomi.
“That is no longer possible.”
Vivian’s stomach dropped.
“What isn't possible?”
James opened the briefcase.
Inside were several folders.
A blue envelope sat on top.
Naomi recognized it.
“Grandpa’s blue paper.”
Everyone looked at her.
James frowned.
“You saw this?”
Naomi nodded.
“He had it at home.”