Charley's Mystery Letter

Word count: 290



         Lying in bed, Charley stared at the anonymous letter she received today at the office.  The letter instructed her to go to her family’s lawyer tomorrow at noon, claiming all of her questions would be answered.  She placed the letter on her scarred and scratched nightstand next to her bed and blew out the lavender scented candle.  She watched the last tendrils of smoke rise tall in the moonlight like a charmed snake.  Tomorrow the mystery of the anonymous letter would be solved. It would be best if she tried to get some sleep tonight.

         Promptly at noon, Charley entered the law office of Bill Sherman.  She waited patiently while his secretary informed him of her arrival.  As she entered Bill’s office, she was immediately approached by a tall man in a navy blue pin-striped suit, crisp white shirt, and expensive leather wing-tipped shoes. 

         “Are you Ms. Charlene MacDaniels?”  The tall older man asked.  Something about this man was very familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

         “I am.  Do you know why I was asked to come here today?”  She hoped he could help her. It was getting late and she needed to head back to work.

         “Why yes, I do.  I’m Ian Dolan, your godfather, and I asked you to come here today,” he said with a smile.  “We haven’t seen each other since you were very young.  I have become rather successful since then and have no heirs, nor do I think I will.  I want to make you heir to my fortune.”

         Stunned, Charley looked at Bill, for answers.  Sitting behind his desk, Bill leaned back in his chair, put his feet up on his desk, smiled and said to her, “Congratulations, you’re rich.”