The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 123: Mrs. Steers' Will

Sam sat across the Steers' kitchen table from Mr. Harry Christie, Mrs. Steers’ lawyer.  He was wearing a vintage gray-flannel suit with a multi-colored polka dot tie.  His tortoise-shell rimmed glasses and handle-bar moustache completed the picture of an old-fashioned gentleman.

"Now according to the will of the late Mrs. Charlotte Steers, you, Master Samuel Henry, are the sole heir to her estate.  This includes the house, the furnishings, and a trust fund set up in your name.  The taxes and monthly expenses will be paid from a secondary trust.  Here is a listing of the total value."  He pushed an official bank statement for Sam to look at, but Emily picked it up first.

Emily's jaw dropped.  Her voice trembled with shock.  "I don't understand.  Why is my son the sole heir?  I thought that you..."  She stopped and pointed at Rose, then Xavier, and lastly Ari, all sat perfectly still. "Aren't you her relatives?"

Xavier spoke.  "We were her family in our own way, but legally, no.  Her real children, Em and Dan, are out on missions and very seldom come back here.  They are all in agreement about the terms of the will.  Isn’t that right, Mr. C."

Mr. Christie nodded and proceeded despite the chatter.  "Both Mr. and Mrs. Steers were very clear when she wrote it.  I was there.  Albert encouraged her all the way. It would have been about three years ago..."

"Three years ago," said Emily.  "We weren't even in Connecticut at that time.  How could she...  Ah... Right.  Watching us."

"As you can see," said Mr. Christie.  "The will is very clear. Samuel Henry, you are the sole heir to the Steers estate to be held in a trust until you are eighteen. It will be managed by Ms. Rose Reulen.”

Sitting back in his chair, Sam was still in shock over the news.  "How can I be her heir?  We were friends, but I..."

Mr. Christie stopped him.  "Well, as the legal representative of the Time Travelers Club and a member of the West Coast chapter, I know for certain that Lottie had been watching you for years.  She recognized your outstanding abilities to use the incantations and wanted to make sure you would receive proper training when you came of age.  And to do this, you needed to be comfortable."

"Well, judging by these numbers we're more than just comfortable.  We're well off." Emily shook her head as she glanced over the bank statements once more.  "I've got to take some time to soak this in.  This is all very... Very..."

"Much to soak in," said Xavier.

Mr. Christie, being proper and business-like, continued.  "Take your time.  Now, back to you, Master Henry."

Sam raised his eyebrows.  Master Henry...

"I am instructed to give you this," said Mr. Christie.  From his briefcase, he pulled out a large manila envelope.  "This is for you only.  It is from Mrs. Steers.  Open it later when you are ready."

Their meeting concluded with Mr. Christie promising to finalize the paperwork, meet with Rose to discuss her role, and get back with Sam and Emily to sign papers.  Stunned Emily went upstairs to lay down.  Everyone else left, leaving Sam alone with his envelope.

Plopping down on the sofa in the front parlor, Sam opened the envelope.  Inside, he found another legal-sized envelope and what looked to be a list.

Across the top was written A To-Do List from Mr. and Mrs. Steers for Sam Henry. Next was a personal message, then the list.

Sam, we want you to do the following.  You don't have to do all of them at once, but over the course of your lifetime.  Albert and I feel that you are the one who can accomplish them, and, of course, don't forget your friends in the Clubs.  It's a short list, but you can do it.

*Go back and explore Fingal's Cave.  I suspect there's a lot more to learn from the collection there.

*Prove once and for all that there is a lost archive.  That way it won't be lost anymore.  Find the 1642 map.  Clues for you to follow -- look high, then low, then left, then right.  Where you started.

*Visit Mrs. Labuler and the current archives.  She knows it better than anyone else.

*Visit Jameson often.  He's a man with many connections.

*Be good to and for your Mother.  She needs you.

*Be brave.  Be curious.  Be strong.

*And most importantly, remember to keep those secrets.  You will be one of the few who know the truth.  And I know you love a good mystery, but you also need to be mysterious.  It's more fun that way.

Sam laid the paper down in his lap and cried.  Mrs. Steers was truly a good friend and she knew him well.  His love of mysteries. His love of history.  And his sense of adventure.

Sam went upstairs.