A Simple Condition

Amelia is surprised when she gets a call from a lawyer inviting her to the reading of her estranged aunt’s will.

- Sundeeka Mungroo

THE woman lay in bed fast asleep, completely unaware of the dark figure that had just crept into her bedroom. The intruder had a task to do, a necessary task, albeit a nerve-wracking one. The figure stood over the woman, hands dug deep into the pockets of a too-large coat, watching her as she slept so peacefully.

A syringe was produced from one of the pockets and as the trespasser got ready to inject it into the woman, a car alarm suddenly sounded outside. The woman stirred and groaned, lifting her head slightly off the pillow.

Panicked, the intruder stabbed the needle into the woman’s leg and quickly ran out. It was supposed to have been a hidden puncture mark, between the toes, but it was too late now. The poison would’ve already taken effect and all that was left to do was wait.

TURNING the key in the lock, I just missed the phone as it emitted its last ring and stopped. Hoping that who-ever it was had left a message, I took off my scarf and headed into the living room when the phone chimed again.

“Hello?”

“Miss Amelia Kent?” asked a bored male voice.

“Yes?” I answered softly.

“My name is Mr Raspurt. I was the attorney to the late Mrs Millicent Doole. I’m obligated to inform you that you’re to make yourself present for the reading of Mrs Doole’s final will,” he drawled, taking his time with the pronunciation of his words.

“Me? Are you sure?” I hadn’t seen Aunt Millicent in many years. I’d heard that she’d died recently and I’d even missed her funeral. Why would she want me at the reading of her will?

“Quite sure. It’s in your best interests to be there tomorrow. It’s being held at my offices downtown,” he said, droning out his address.

“Hmm. I see. I guess I’ll be there then,” I said hesitantly, replacing the telephone with a ruffled brow.