Speak No Evil Read Online Free PDF

silence, watching him rifle through and organize heaps of papers sitting on his desk. Every once in a while, he peered over his bifocals at them and offered an awkward smile.
    She knew George only in passing, but Daniel Greene was practically a member of their family. He handled legal business for the Tribune as well as Flo’s personal affairs. Throughout their childhood, he had come by the house nearly every Saturday morning for Sadie’s pancakes, and then he and Flo would disappear into her office. Sometimes George would tag along.
    “Sorry,” Josh said as he came in and leaned against the far wall, ignoring the remaining seat.
    “Ready?” George asked, turning to Caroline.
    “Ready as we’re gonna be.”
    “Alrighty, then.” George cleared his throat and stood. He walked around his desk and sat on the edge of it, facing them, his expression sober. “How long have we known each other?”
    When nobody seemed inclined to answer, Caroline said, “Long time.”
    George nodded. “That’s right. Long time and it’s been a shitty morning, so if you girls don’t mind, let’s make this easy on everyone and skip the formalities. We can take care of particulars later.”
    Augusta was quick to chime in. “I’m all for that!”
    Caroline nodded.
    So did Savannah.
    “Then let’s get on with it,” he said and began rifling through the stack of papers he held. He cleared his throat again. “ ‘Item four,’ ” he said, peering over his bifocals at Josh and reciting from rote, “ ‘To Josh Childres, I leave the Legare Street house that once belonged to my husband’s family. . . .’ ”
    “Jesus!” Josh exclaimed, sounding surprised.
    “She was a generous woman,” George acknowledged and then continued. “I’ll skip the legalese here. Read it for yourselves later if you’re so inclined.” He looked toward Sadie. “ ‘Item five: To Sadie Childres, I leave the gatehouse, its immediate surrounding property . . .
    “ ‘Item six: Also to Sadie, I leave a three-percent share of the Tribune and a seat on the board . . . along with my eternal love and gratitude for all the years she served, not only my family, but me, as my dearest friend.’ ”
    Sadie choked back a sob.
    Caroline couldn’t look at her. The tears she couldn’t seem to shed at the funeral stung her eyes like angry bees.
    “So on, so forth . . . ‘Item seven: Also to Sadie, I leave an annual stipend of two hundred fifty thousand dollars to be paid in monthly installments as long as she shall live.’ ”
    George stopped suddenly, stared down at his feet for a moment and then summarized, “There’s an item or two in here about charity. Flo left five hundred thousand to The Palmetto House in your brother’s name. Another three hundred fifty thousand to The Beacon in North Charleston, again in Sam’s name. She also left Sadie as the will’s sole executor.”
    Caroline had the sudden awful gut feeling that a cannonball was about to drop.
    “As for the rest, I’m not going to mince words, or confuse you girls with legalese. There’s lots of it. The bottom line is that you will split everything remaining equally, with certain stipulations and adjustments. . . under one condition . . .”
    In the silence that ensued, Caroline could hear the grating of Augie’s teeth. Otherwise, her sisters remained silent. Caroline inhaled a breath. “What condition would that be?”
    “All three of you girls must remain in the James Island house . . . together . . . for a period of one year.”
    Augie leapt to her feet. “What!”
    Caroline grabbed her sister’s hand and tried to pull her back down into her chair. “Why?” she asked, trying to remain calm.
    George met Caroline’s gaze squarely, avoiding Augusta’s angry scowl. He took off his spectacles. “I can’t pretend to know any of your mother’s reasons. Caroline, she states that you are to run the Tribune , set it straight. It’s losing money.” He peered at Savannah, who had yet to