Bette: I noticed in the files, there were several investigative files on various people surrounding Kit and I. What was that all about?

Harriett:  In Melvin’s later years, he became concerned about people who might be what he termed “gold diggers”.  He was afraid that there were those who would associate with you or Kit for the sole purpose of getting to your money. That logic was somewhat non-existent as you two did not have any access to the real money until after his death. Yet, he would go through spells of having people around you investigated for unscrupulous behavior. He never found anything.  I often wondered what he would have done had he found someone whom he suspected was after your assets. I’m not sure he did either. In reality, I think it was a way for him to find out what was going on in your lives. I know that communications were strained over the years between Melvin and his girls, particularly Kit. But he loved both of you and had no idea how to express that love. So, he came off as a prickly pine cone. But that was Melvin. He was such a gregarious, well-liked man among those whom he worked with and his friends, but his family relations seemed to be like oil and water. It was like he had some standard he was supposed to uphold and he was determined to hold that standard no matter what. I almost believe that he was afraid to allow his children to see that he was fallible and human. It may have been what his problem was between him and his wives as well. He refused to admit that he could be wrong or make a mistake. It was like if he did, he would no longer be believed and he would lose his position as head of the family. I called him obstinate and somewhat stupid in matters of his relationship with his family. But that was Melvin.

Bette: Yes, it was. He lost a lot of family time as a result. Kit and I loved him. But I cannot say that we had a good relationship with him. We never seemed good enough, perfect enough for his taste. I always felt that I was a disappointment to him. I do not ever remember him ever saying that he loved me. Even after Mother had left us, he was rarely affectionate.