Page 20 of The Side Road
‘Elsie Buchanan forged legal documents?’
‘I’m afraid so.’
Oliver rubbed his forehead. ‘I wasn’t her favourite person, but I thought over the years we’d made some headway, recovered some lost ground in the son-in-law stakes. But this is…it’s extreme.’
‘You’re in good company. She didn’t like anyone.’
‘Was she losing her mind? Do you think she had dementia?’
Reverend Rebecca shook her head. ‘No. Sometimes she was forgetful, but this takes planning. She was a cunning old thing.’
‘I underestimated her.’ He returned the documents to the folder. ‘What do we do now?’
‘She’s filed the deed and the transfer papers with the Land Titles Office. Legally, none of this will stand up in court. I suggest you find the original documents and get some legal advice. The matter will go to probate, which takes months – sometimes years – to resolve.’
Oliver understood the consequences of probate, but there was also the problem of the missing money.
‘I opened Elsie’s passbook last night,’ he confessed.
‘Find any moths?’
He smiled. ‘No, but a few things don’t add up. I was wondering…has she been particularly generous to the church?’
‘Elsie! No.’ The reverend shook her head. ‘A few coins every week was the depth of her generosity. If there’s money missing, it didn’t come my way.’
The money might still be in circulation. This was good news.
‘The funeral,’ he asked. ‘Do I need to do anything?’
‘Pre-paid, it’s all arranged.’
‘Right. Flowers?’
‘Gladioli and lilies. Already ordered.’
‘Music?’
‘She went for the classics: “I Will Rise” followed by “Amazing Grace”.’
‘I thought Tash could do a reading.’
‘Of course. Send it through to me. I’ll add it to the service. She wants to be buried in her navy suit. No need to drop it off. She gave it to me last week.’
‘Jesus!’
‘That’s what I said. The funeral is on Tuesday.’
‘That’s quick.’
‘It’s the gravedigger, Marty – he operates the digging machine – he’s about to go on paternity leave. Elsie is being buried at the old cemetery. The one on the Bells Line of Road.’
He caught the reverend’s eye. ‘But she…she has a plot in town. Next to her husband.’
‘She was very clear about it, the old cemetery.’
‘If that’s what she wanted. And afterwards?’
‘Light refreshments in the church hall.’
