The conversation with Mr. Reynolds refused to leave my mind.

Two days later, while Daddy was out on the yacht with some business associates, I cornered Reynolds again in the wine cellar where he was doing inventory.

“Tell me about the lawyer,” I said without greeting. “The one my mother was going to meet.”

Reynolds froze, then slowly set down the bottle he was holding. He looked around nervously before speaking in a low voice.

“His name is Daniel Harrington,” he whispered. “A high-profile family lawyer based in New York. Your mother had a secret meeting scheduled with him two days after she… passed.”

He pulled out his phone, hesitated,...