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“Hi, Jim, it's your most demanding client," I said, hoping that plastering a smile on my face before I made the call would disguise my irritation.
"Demanding, but worth it," he said. "Hi, Everly. Is everything OK?"
"I guess. Chance dropped off a letter for me at the cafe. He gave me a list of gear I need to get, and there's a liability release form he wants me to sign. Looks like something he uses with his guide business. If you have the time, I'd like you to look over it before I sign it."
"Not necessary. I'm the one who drafted the form for Chance. It's a standard liability form. By signing it you basically release him from responsibility if you get injured or killed during the trip."
"Should I sign it?"
"It's complicated with the legal demands of your Uncle's will, but I think you should sign it," I could tell he was grinning even though I couldn't see him. "If he kills you, it wouldn't stop us from prosecuting him."
"Well, what a relief. Thanks for putting my mind at ease. I can certainly see why it's a good thing to know someone familiar with the law."
"I'm glad you appreciate what I bring to this relationship," he joked.
When I told him about my shopping trip with Laurie, he said it was good that I found someone to go along. He promised to take me somewhere more interesting than shopping when my ordeal with Chance was over.
"I know you'll need to get a good night's sleep on Saturday night, but how about an early dinner?"
"Sounds great."
I let Rick and Rita know that I was going on a hunting trip with Chance. At first, they looked at me like they were waiting for the punchline. When they realized I was serious, they both asked why I'd do that since I seemed to be the one female in the county who didn't find Chance swoon-worthy. "It's something Uncle Harry stipulated in his will. Do either of you know why he might do that?"
"Harry had a reason for everything he did, but he didn't always share them," Rick said.
"Maybe he just wanted you to understand some of what he did," Rita said. "Could be fun."
They both agreed to keep an eye on the cafe as they had before I arrived in Wilkins’ Gap. I sat in my chair and considered the situation a little longer. It made no sense. What could be in Uncle Harry's journal that Chance wanted so badly? Could Harry have found some kind of treasure or something. It would seem like it would have to be something valuable for Chance to bother doing something he found as distasteful as spending a week in the woods with me. I realized that if Uncle Harry's journal contained valuable information, it seemed odd that he just wanted me to hand it over to Chance.
It wasn't that I was trying to find a way to get out of my trip with Chance, but the more I thought about the situation the less sense it made. Pulling out my phone, I called Jim again.
"I really am your most demanding client now," I said when he answered.
"I'm always happy to talk to you, Everly, though I suspect this call has something to do with Chance Munroe. I'd be happier if we didn't have to waste so much of our time talking about that guy."
"Sorry. Maybe this will be the last time," I said, doubting it was true. "I've been sitting here thinking about this situation and realizing it makes no sense. Do you know what's in Harry's journal?"
"I don't, but if I did, I wouldn't be able to tell you unless Harry's will directed me to."
"Let me make sure I understand the situation correctly. Uncle Harry and Chance's Dad were hunting partners. Harry's journal contains information of some importance that he wanted to pass along to his old partner's son."
"That's pretty much it."
"If I didn't agree to spend the week in the wild with Chance, then you'd be required by law to destroy the journal, so no one could read it."
"Everly, you understand the situation perfectly. Other than having to spend the week with Chance, what is it about this that's bothering you?"
"It just seems strange to me that if Uncle Harry had something of value, he would set up this elaborate plan to pass that information on to Chance Munroe but give me no way to learn what's in that journal."
"I guess that does seem a little odd. The stipulation is quite clear. If Chance spends the week with you, then I am to hand over the journal directly to him. There was no provision to allow you, or even me, to read the journal first."
"Is there any way I can require Chance to share what's in the journal?"
"I'm pretty sure you already know the answer to that," he said.
He was right. I knew enough about the law to know there was nothing I could do.
"You can always try asking Chance nicely," he said.
"Right. Like that's going to happen," I said. "Thanks, Jim. You've been helpful as always."