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expression on his face.
    â€œWhat do you mean I have no money?” she demanded. “When I left, my trust fund was healthy. It had been operating since my mother’s death, earning interest all the way. Surely I didn’t spend it all?”
    â€œNo, Miss Mitchell, you didn’t. But you didn’t exactly use the funds wisely, or reinvest, either, did you?”
    It felt as if she’d been victimized from the instant she’d arrived home. First Wade, then Dexie’s disapproval, and now this.
    â€œThey were mine to use,” she said, a defensive note in her voice.
    â€œOf course, of course.” The old man made a shushing sound in a vain attempt to placate her.
    But Piper would not be placated.
    â€œSo where is it?”
    â€œIt?”
    â€œThe money,” she clarified, holding onto her temper by a thread.
    â€œYou know that with your father as a Trustee, the funds were managed very carefully. Over the years he frequently diversified the investments, but as you must be aware, financial markets worldwide have been hit very hard. Even investments that appeared to be sound suffered, and you subsequently lost some rather large sums.”
    Piper shook her head. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her father had always been the most prudent and cautious of investors.
    â€œSo, I have nothing?”
    â€œI’m so very sorry.”
    â€œBut what about my father’s estate?”
    â€œMiss Mitchell, what your father didn’t use to carry Mitchell Exports through some tough times, he used to fund alternative treatments for his illness. There really is very little left. The investment losses your fund endured hit him, also.”
    Everything Wade had told her last night had been true. She wished she could blame him, hold him responsible for her father’s weak financial position at the time of his death, but it was clear Wade had conducted himself the same way he always had. With honor and loyalty to the man he revered above all others.
    Mr. Chadwick continued, completely unaware of the turmoil in her mind. “I must say that Mr. Collins has been most benevolent. When he realized the situation your father was facing he personally acted to assist him. Rex was fortunate that Mr. Collins was compassionate enough to give him a lifetime right to reside in the house.”
    The sick taste of bile rose in Piper’s throat.
    Piper swallowed. “And my mother’s art collection? That should have been left to me in my father’s will. What has happened to that?”
    At least if she had that, all was not lost. As much as she hated the idea of selling a single piece, she’d be able to liquidate some funds.
    â€œAll with Mr. Collins now. I understand the collection is on loan to the Sydney Art Gallery at the moment.”
    â€œBut it wasn’t my father’s to give. It was supposed to be mine.”
    She fought to keep the panic from her voice. Without the collection, she really had nothing.
    â€œUnder the terms of your mother’s will, it was your father’s to dispose of at his discretion. While she stipulated her preference that it be given to you when you reached your majority, it was still left to your father to decide in the end. Some years ago, he mentioned to me that he had some concerns that you might feel compelled to break the collection up and he wanted to avoid that at all costs. Moreover, he wanted to be certain you were settled before entrusting it to you. In all fairness to your father, he honestly expected your trust fund to support you for your lifetime. Hardly anyone foresaw the long-term ramifications of the global financial crisis until it was too late.”
    Piper slumped in the chair. Her life couldn’t get any worse, could it?
    â€œThere is one other thing,” the lawyer said carefully, making all the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
    Piper sat up. She didn’t like the way he’d