“So what?” she said.
“It’s a plane.”
Captain Keller looked at her without expression.
“It is an aircraft operating under a company whose authorization procedures are legally binding.”
Her face changed.
Graham turned on me.
“You knew?”
“No.”
That answer seemed to anger him even more.
“You expect me to believe Dad handed you control of the jet and you never bothered reading the paperwork?”
“He told me not to open the envelope unless you forced my hand.”
Eleanor’s lips parted.
That sentence landed harder than the transfer itself.
Charles had anticipated this.
Maybe not the exact runway.
Maybe not Savannah in my seat wearing my earrings.
But he had anticipated that after his death, Graham and Eleanor might try to push me outside the circle and expect me to disappear quietly.
Eleanor recovered first.
“This is absurd.
Charles adored his son.”
“I know,” I said.
That was what made it sad.
Graham climbed down onto the tarmac.
“Give me the papers.”
“No.”
His jaw tightened.
“Claire.”
“No.”
It was the first time in months I had said the word to him without explanation.
Savannah came to the doorway.
“Graham, we’re going to miss the memorial dinner.”
I looked at her.
“My earrings.”
Her hand flew to one ear.
She laughed nervously.
“Excuse me?”
“The emerald earrings you’re wearing.
They belong to me.”
Graham stared at the runway.
Savannah’s cheeks colored.
“Graham gave them to me.”
I looked at my husband.
He said nothing.
That silence was an answer.
Eleanor stepped closer to me.
“This is exactly the kind of spectacle Charles would have hated.”
I folded the trust document carefully.
“No.
Charles apparently expected it.”
Captain Keller cleared his throat.
“I need authorization before this aircraft moves.”
Graham pointed at the cabin.
“Fine.
She authorizes it.
We leave.
She can come if she wants.”
