The Will


Starting first thing the next morning, Peter escorted Neal through the entire process remaining by his side where he could and offering support when needed.

They started with the medical facility. Neal went into the back, the staff took their samples, and Peter waited in the front room. Clapping Neal on the shoulder when he was brought out, Peter encouraged that phase one towards the possibility of discovering his heritage was completed.

Then a few days later, the two walked into an expensive building. Upon announcing their names, they were escorted to a room with a huge oak table and leather chairs surrounded by shelves of old books. Peter was allowed to remain through the initial conversation as the panel of lawyers stated the legal ramifications should Neal falsify any of his information. Then the agent was escorted to a waiting room where he did the daily crossword puzzle and read the sports page to occupy his time. Neal remained behind to state factual information about his heritage as far as he knew and to sign his birth name. Due to the danger caused by his father's actions, it was best to have the personal information verified in secret. When it was done, Peter once again met Neal when he was brought out announcing the completion of the work with phase two.

Proceeding back to their normal schedules, they played the waiting game while everything went through legal channels.


When the day came to hear the will read, they were back at the lawyer's offices sitting in one of their side rooms where a large table and official chairs took the focal point with rows of general seats facing them.

Neal sat in the front row reserved for the family with Peter by his side. While they waited for the panel to enter and take their seats, they observed the others milling about in the back or waiting patiently in their respective seats.

Many of them looked like loyal staff or valued employees as they talked or sat in the back rows. However, one woman in particular had Neal's attention. She was older, well dressed, and sat in the same row as he and Peter.

"You're wondering if she could be family, aren't you?" Peter softly questioned pulling him from his contemplation.

"Yes, she's sitting in the row for the family. Is that a consideration to her age, because she's an old friend, or is she somehow related? I don't know enough about my family to pick out traits and no one has told me if there are any other Caffreys, so I can only guess." Neal hoped she might be related, or at least a family friend who would be willing to shed light on his ancestors.

"Are you going to try talking to her?" Peter wondered as he also observed the woman.

"She's sitting stiffly and has glared my way a time or two, so either she sees me as competition, or she doesn't like me for some reason. I wonder if she knows about my past." Neal speculated. There wasn't much else to do, so he might as well garner what information he could from his environment and those in it.

"Unless she hired a private investigator, and there have been no inquiries beyond those of the lawyers, she shouldn't know your record. Maybe she's family and was made aware of your history, or perhaps she just sees you as competition for something she wants." Peter added to his speculation material while he absently flipped through the pamphlet they'd been given at the door.

"Possibly, or maybe she doesn't think I deserve whatever I may get? She could see me as a stranger and usurper swooping in after his passing to lay claim to his properties while she, a long term friend, is cut out of what she sees more rightfully hers? If that's the case, I can't entirely blame her either way. Who would want a criminal stranger coming in to take their friend's things, even if it were just a desk of sentimental items?" Neal further speculated on possible reasons for her behavior. The team had been teasing him with potential items he could inherit so he had plenty of material to pull from.

"You've been proven a Caffrey by blood which makes you eligible to inherit. The fact you weren't around isn't your fault, and as you said, you didn't know you had a family so it's understandable why you didn't seek him out. I'm sure she wouldn't be so upset if she knew you." Peter closed the pamphlet again as he tried to reassure his friend.

"What would you do if you discovered I was about to inherit your family valuables?" Neal turned the question to his friend. "Would you accept that a criminal was getting something that you felt should go to you instead?'

Frowning, Peter didn't like the assumptions behind the statement. "You're making assumptions. My family doesn't have anything particularly valuable, and what I value most, isn't something you could take."

"That doesn't answer the question. What would you say if I was to inherit your father's baseball mitt? You've talked about the fond memories you've had playing with your father growing up so it would have sentimental value to you." Neal pushed the point. He expected Peter to get upset.

"I already have the mitt I used to play with my father." Leaning back, he turned towards Neal waiting for his response.

"But wouldn't you want to play with your son someday, using your father's mitt while your son uses yours?" Neal mirrored Peter's actions.

Shaking his head, Peter knew Neal was trying to make him angry, to get him to admit that he'd be mad if Neal inherited ahead of him. "If you want my father's mitt so badly, I can ask him for it next time I visit. Better yet, I can give him a call after this and ask him to mail it." Let Neal counter that, Peter enjoyed throwing him for a loop.

Blinking, Neal paused to gauge his reaction. "You're joking, there is no way you'd be okay with that."

Sighing, Peter pulled out his phone and started to dial his father's number. "You want me to prove it?"

Stopping his friend, Neal wasn't sure what to do with his actions. "Let him be, I don't want his mitt."

Putting his phone away, Peter explained his actions. "You don't have a heritage with your family, I do. I have the mitt I used, the memories, and my dad himself to help me remember. His mitt… Sure, it would be considered a nice piece of those memories, but that's his side of the memories, not mine." Regaining his position of focus on Neal, Peter finished his point. "Why wouldn't I want to share those memories with my friend? Maybe you'd want to play catch if you had the mitt. That would be a good indication you were finally learning sense." The jab was a jocular addition to lighten their moods.

Seeing the intent at humor for what it was, Neal snorted lightly. "I have sense, the lack of interest in baseball doesn't indicate the lack thereof. If that were the case, you'd lack sense for your disinterest in good food and fine art." Turning the words around was his best reaction.

Settling in to enjoy the game, Peter was getting ready to reply when the door opened and the lawyers entered the room. While they walked forwards, everyone found their seats or turned their attention to the front in preparation for the reading to start.

Taking their seats as well, the lawyers got settled before starting proceedings.

Going through the preliminary details, they reiterated the life of Connal Caffrey. The information started by describing his family life and field work in Ireland before the family immigrated to the US looking for opportunities to raise themselves. Then it described his rise as he started at the bottom working on the docks in the city, moved up to management, and eventually went into business for himself later in life. His company was described as being very profitable which quickly provided the funds for him to purchase property and begin building his estate. Caffrey had taken a personal interest in designing his mansion and had ensured that no copies of the blueprints beyond the legal requirements were allowed to remain in existence. This meant that no one knew the house better than he and allowed him to use that to his advantage. Proving to be eccentric at heart, he often invited his management and peers in the field to parties and retreats. With them in his home, he put on a show keeping his mental capacity in question at all times to guarantee that he would be underestimated. No one tried to cheat him, which was exactly what he intended for. Through the years, he continued to entertain at his mansion and became less directly involved in the business until it was mostly run by a panel. He was always too busy for personal relationships so he had never married and one by one his family had passed away. When his health began to fail, he wrote his will requesting the majority of his property be left to his nearest of kin should one be found, while the rest was divided to his friend and most loyal employees. Finally, at the ripe old age of ninety-nine, Connal Caffrey had passed away in his sleep.

Moving on to the purpose of the will, the lawyers began calling names and dividing out what was left to them.

Starting through the names of those occupying the back rows, shares in the company or funds were divided out to the loyal employees of the company and estate.

Then moving on to the woman at the end of the row, it turned out she was Connal's oldest and dearest friend. She was given shares in the company, financial funds, and sentimental items only she would understand.

Finally, the panel reached Neal. As the nearest living relative, he was to inherit the remaining shares of the company, his fortune, and the estate including all it contained.

Completing the process, the lawyers had the people come up one by one to sign forms accepting their inheritance before receiving access to their new possessions. This meant forms and checks for those receiving financial benefits, and several forms for those gaining shares. The old friend also got a key to a facility where the sentimental items had already been removed to.

Once they had all gone through the process and gone home, that left Neal, still seated in shock as he realized he had inherited nearly all they had speculated about: a company, fortune, and an estate with a mansion. It was likely the mansion contained a great many valuables such as antique furniture and old masterpieces, but those weren't what excited Neal. He was surprised at how lucky he was because that much stuff had to include a journal, letters, and other paraphernalia where he might find answers to his heritage.

"Come on Neal, let's get your forms signed and head home. Everyone's waiting at the party." Peter encouraged while putting a hand on his back to help him get moving. Remaining close by for support, Peter helped him up and then guided him to the front table.

Signing the forms, receiving the key and address, and providing the necessary information towards transferring the bank records, Neal had the finishing touches yet to do, but enough was accomplished for him to walk away with the key and legal ownership of his great-uncle's possessions.

Reaching the Burkes, Peter opened the door to reveal Elizabeth, June, Jones, Diana, and Mozzie waiting for him.

Pulling out the key for all to see, Neal announced what he inherited, "Everything, the company, fortune, and estate with a mansion."

Cheering and hugging, the group congratulated him on his lucky break before digressing into a conversation about the future.


Thank you, everyone, for reading, following, choosing to favorite, leaving kudos, and commenting/reviewing :D

It was bought to my attentiont that I haven't posted my notice in sometime. For anyone who is newer at following my writing, I only post my stories when they're completey written and I update every weekend or work around travel when necessary. I also keep notices such as my posting schedule on my profile page along with a list of my work whether completed stories or in progress.