Joan came in holding a letter. “This came from Bill Eggers,” she said, handing it to Stone.

“This is an outline of Arrington’s estate,” Stone said.

“That number,” Joan said. “Is that now yours?”

“Yes, except Peter gets it when I die.”

“Then I never have to worry about paying your bills again?”

Stone chuckled. “I’m sorry, but you do. I’m not touching this money.”

“I always thought you were nuts,” Joan said, “but now I know it.”

Stone laughed. “I want these numbers kept strictly between you and me,” he said. “I don’t want anyone else to see them.”

“Sure thing,” Joan said, then returned to her office.

Stone called Bill Eggers. “Thanks for your letter, Bill,” he said.

“It’s just a summary of what I talked about with you and Peter.”

“I don’t want the money,” Stone said.

Eggers was quiet for a moment. “Stone, listen to me: I understand that your feelings are still raw about Arrington’s death and that you feel you shouldn’t profit from her passing.”

“That’s very understanding of you, Bill. It’s exactly how I feel.”

“There’s something you’re not considering, though.”

“What’s that?”

“Arrington’s feelings on the matter. When I first met with her about her estate planning she told me that you would feel this way.”

“She knew me well.”

“She also told me that, if I could keep you from doing something foolish about the money, you would eventually come to your senses. It was her wish that you have the money; she wanted that very much, and you have to take her wishes into consideration.”

“If she’d asked me, I’d have told her how I feel about her money.”

“She already knew; that’s why she didn’t ask you.”

“If she knew that, why did she make this will?”

“Because she was smarter than you, Stone. She knew that, in time, you’d understand her wisdom and accept it.”

“That hasn’t happened yet,” Stone said.

“Give it time, Stone. Take a year or two, then think about it again. You’ll find satisfying uses for the money. Now I want you to promise me you won’t do anything rash, that you’ll consult me before you start disposing of the money, even to Peter. Just let it sit there and grow.”

Stone sighed. “Oh, all right. I’ll check with you before I give it all away.”

“By the way, you need to make a decision about developing the Bel-Air property as a hotel and let Mike Freeman know. He’s got investors and a management company on hold.”

“Good point,” Stone said.

“I think developing the property is a good idea,” Eggers said. “I can’t see you living in Bel-Air, and if you need to go out there, you’ll have a house on the hotel grounds.”

“I don’t really want that,” Stone said.