The Testament

Rachel Lane changed her name to Rachel Porter many years ago “in an effort to erase as much of her past as possible” (194). She does not view the United States as her home and has no interest in leaving “her people” (195). Her only family was Phelan, and she wanted nothing to do with him. The only person who knows her true identity is Neva Collier, South American Missions’ coordinator. She exchanges letters with Rachel twice a year. From her office in Houston, Collier follows the trial. “At the appropriate time” (194), as yet undetermined, she will reveal Rachel’s identity to the governing board, though she hopes that that time will never come.

The more than 20 lawyers who represent the Phelan family members agree to meet and strategize. After bickering and trying to upstage each other, they eventually agree on one thing: to fight the will with everything they have. What they do not say is that it will be a cumbersome process best steered by one firm. They agree not to try to find Rachel, who they assume will appear at some point “with her own entourage of lawyers” (201).