Hunt parked off to the side and headed into the building without acknowledging they were even there.

“Shit,” Junior muttered. “Let’s get this over with.”

And then Birdie arrived as her brothers were getting out, and sailed past them without speaking.

“What the hell?” Ray said.

Emma arrived and hurried to catch up.

“What’s up with Birdie?” Junior asked.

“She found out about the missing money yesterday,” Emma said.

Junior frowned. “Who told her? I’ll bet it was Hunt.”

Emma sighed. “It came out by chance when they were talking. He assumed she knew. She is pissed at all of us. But she’s going to have to get glad in the same pants she got mad in, because we’ve still got to bury Mama and do it with dignity. Not some family squabble. Understand?”

They nodded and followed her inside.

Betty Purejoy had already seated Hunt and Birdie in the outer office, and when the other three arrived, she took them all into Peanut’s office.

“Good morning,” Peanut said. “Please take a seat. This won’t take long, and then you’ll be on your way.”

Birdie stared at the floor.

Emma was verging on tears, and Junior and Ray were red in the face, but silent.

Hunt was the only one who was calm.

Peanut could feel the tension in the room and guessed it had more to do with their past than with their mother’s will. He couldn’t imagine how Hunt was feeling, but gave him props for coming back to such a cold welcome. And the sooner he got down to business, the sooner they would all be able to leave. He cleared his throat and picked up the papers.

“I’m going to give each of you a copy of the will so you can read it as thoroughly and as many times as you wish later, but it’s very straightforward. And I’m not going to dwell on the details of which you already know…like your mother’s name…the fact that she owns the house, and the black truck, and whatever money is in her checking account at the present time. I need you to know that if money comes in via direct deposit from Social Security next month, don’t assume it’s part of the estate and spend it. That legally ends with her death, and they will take it back once it’s discovered that she passed. What you may or may not know is that she has named Hunter Knox as the executor, and he has informed me that at her request per the letter he received from her only weeks before she passed, and which I have read, he will be staying in the home long enough to do the necessary repairs to make the house ready for sale.”

Both of Hunt’s brothers shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but stayed quiet as Peanut continued.