“No children, no wife.”

“If there was a wife, or child, that I did not know about, it would be… well, a difficulty.” Fred paused and gave us both a few seconds to have any sudden memories. “And to the best of your knowledge, you are Melvin’s only children?”

“I’m probably not the one to ask,” I said.

“But to the best of your knowledge?”

“We’re the progeny.”

“Well, then, we’ll get to the main part. Jason, Eric, your father was very wealthy, as you know. Your father had discussed with you what he planned to do with his assets?”

“He was leaving them to his foundation,” Eric said. “Jason and I would get enough to live on.”

“Yes, that had been his original plan.”

Original? What was the man saying? Katie stirred beside me.

“Eric, you will be getting a sizable income. I suggest you get advice on investing it. You are a young man, and you will have the opportunity to build up substantial wealth if you don’t waste it.”

Every kid needs an Uncle Fred. And maybe Fred knew how much Eric needed advice about money.

“What is ‘sizable’?” I asked.

“Fifty thousand dollars per month, from a trust created for the purpose.” He’d been living on twenty. No, he’d been getting twenty, but he’d been spending about twenty-five. BMWs were so expensive these days. Fifty would come in very handy for him, and his Jaguar dealer wouldn’t complain, either. If he remembered what he’d borrowed from me, he might even start paying me back. I wouldn’t remind him.

“And it will increase when you get married.” Fred turned to me. “Yesterday, you asked about Angela. She will also have an income.” Okay, good for Angela. I was sure it would be more than fifty thousand a month. “Then there are numerous other bequests to relatives, friends, and employees, which amount to less than two million dollars. As his executor, I will take care of those.” He tapped the stack of papers. “You each have a list, although it is not complete. There were some bequests your father chose to not be made public.”