Free Hidden Riches by Felicia Mason

y’all,” she said. “I just . . . I just can’t believe she’s really gone.”
    When no one commented on her grief, Rollings cleared his throat, then continued on with the reading of Ana Mae’s will.
    â€œI bequest to the Drapersville Piece By Piece Quilting Club the fabrics, sewing supplies, and equipment that is not wanted by my heirs. Rosalee Jenkins should oversee the distribution of these items.
    â€œI bequest all of my household goods, vehicles, and my house and land jointly to Mary Josephine Futrell Coston, Marguerite Futrell Foster, and Clayton Futrell.”
    â€œThat’s like a booby prize,” Lester said on a guffaw.
    â€œShh,” JoJo hissed at him.
    â€œTo my church, the Holy Ghost Church of the Good Redeemer, a fixed annuity has been established that will provide the church with income to be used at the discretion of the pastor, associate pastor, board, and membership.”
    â€œThank you, Sister Ana Mae,” the Reverend Toussaint le Baptiste intoned.
    Rollings continued to read, listing Ana Mae’s other financial bequests, usually in the one thousand to five thousand dollar range, to various local charities.
    Delcine, doing the math, just shook her head.
    â€œAnd finally,” Rollings said, “to my family members . . .”
    â€œAll right now, here we go,” said Lester rubbing his hands together and sitting on the edge of his chair.
    â€œLester, please,” JoJo said.
    Rollings gave him a pointed look, and Lester sat back.
    â€œTo my family members,” Rollings read, “I leave to Clayton Futrell, Marguerite Delcine Futrell Foster, and Mary Josephine Futrell Coston the sum of ten thousand dollars each.”
    â€œHot damn!” Lester declared.
    JoJo shushed him again, but he sat there beaming.
    Clayton, looking bored, glanced at his watch.
    Delcine sighed.
    â€œWhen do we get the money?” Lester wanted to know.
    â€œMr. Coston, please. Let me finish,” Rollings said.
    Grinning, Lester rolled his hand forward in a “do go forth” motion.
    â€œThere is a stipulation,” Rollings said.
    Lester groaned.
    â€œHow much longer are we going to be, Mr. Rollings?” Clayton asked. “I’d like to get back to our bed-and-breakfast so we can pack and catch an earlier flight home.”
    â€œPlease,” Mr. Rollings said. “If I can have your undivided attention for a few more moments.”
    Clayton sighed and examined his nails.
    Mr. Rollings placed the will on his desk blotter and clasped his hands together. “The final part of Miss Futrell’s last will and testament is rather complex. She has stipulated for each of you ten thousand dollars, and I have that money here for each of you in the form of a check,” he said, tapping the leather portfolio. “However, there is a codicil.”
    â€œWhat’s a codicil?” JoJo asked.
    â€œA sort of amendment,” he said, surveying the eight people in his office, before focusing on the three Futrell siblings. “Mrs. Coston, Mrs. Foster, and Dr. Futrell, you have five minutes, just five, to decide as individuals if you would like to accept the ten thousand dollars from Miss Futrell or waive it, forfeit it,” he added with a nod toward JoJo, “in order to be considered for the rest of Miss Futrell’s estate.”
    â€œWhat rest?” Delcine asked.
    â€œI am not at liberty to say at the moment,” Rollings said.
    â€œWell, what the hell else can it be?” Lester said. “The thirty grand is about all that’s left of that lottery money. She’s already given you guys that raggedy house and old car. I think ten grand is a nice little farewell gift.”
    â€œI don’t know, Lester,” JoJo said, getting up to pace the office. “Let me think.”
    â€œWhat’s there to think about?” he said. “We can sure as hell use ten thousand dollars about now.”
    As the