The three men entered the diner without speaking.
The first was a tall attorney with silver hair and rectangular glasses. The second carried two thick folders. The third, younger than the others, held a sealed document case.
Frank approached them immediately.
"Can I help you?"
The silver-haired man looked past him.
"Thomas Whitcomb?"
Thomas raised his hand.
"Over here, Mr. Harrison."
The attorney crossed the dining room.
"My apologies for the delay. The highway was nearly closed."
He shook Thomas's hand before turning toward Emily.
"Miss Carter, my name is Jonathan Harrison. I represent the Whitcomb family trust."
Emily looked confused.
"Why would you need to meet me?"
Jonathan glanced toward Frank.
"Perhaps we should speak privately."
Thomas shook his head.
"No. Let her hear it here."
Frank interrupted.
"This is my restaurant. You can't come inside and conduct some kind of legal meeting."
Jonathan opened his briefcase.
"Actually, Mr. Mercer, that's one of the matters we're here to discuss."
He placed several documents on the nearest table.
Frank's eyes moved toward the signatures.
Emily watched the color drain from his face.
"These papers concern the ownership of Miller's Family Diner," Jonathan explained.
Frank stepped forward.
"My father bought this place twenty years ago."
"Your father operated it through a holding company."
"Same difference."
"Not legally."
Jonathan turned one page toward Thomas.
"Mr. Whitcomb, would you confirm that this is the property listed in the family trust?"
Thomas nodded.
"It is."
Emily frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Jonathan explained that the land and building had once belonged to Whitcomb Transport. Years earlier, the property had been placed in a charitable trust intended to support retired workers and their families.
Richard Mercer had managed the restaurant under a long-term operating agreement.
After Richard died, Frank assumed he had inherited permanent control.
But the trust records indicated otherwise.
"Frank Mercer is the operating manager," Jonathan said. "He is not the beneficial owner of this property."
Frank slammed his fist against the counter.
"This is ridiculous!"
Jonathan remained calm.
"There's more."
He removed another document.
"The trust agreement includes a provision connected to Daniel Carter."
Emily felt her chest tighten.
"My father?"
Thomas closed his eyes.
Jonathan nodded.
"Yes. And that provision may explain why someone has spent eighteen years trying to keep his employment records hidden."