by Paula Lester
Chapter 16
TESSA LEFT GLORIA'S office and headed out to Linda, chewing over her next move. She knew exactly what it was—the reading of Mr. Green’s will.
She'd seen the letter on Nathaniel's desk and made note of the date and time, which was in less than an hour at the Green estate. She certainly knew her way there by now. What she didn't know yet was how to get in so she could listen.
She fingered the badge, in its safe spot on the lanyard around her neck and bit her lip. She couldn’t imagine the magical badge would be much help in this situation. It wasn’t like she could use it to convince Mrs. Green and Hannah she belonged there.
She got in the car and sat for a moment, tapping on the steering wheel. It was too bad Corwin Blade had given her the gift of the scythe instead of invisibility. Sure, the scythe had come in handy for her once, but invisibility would be much more useful.
For a moment, she contemplated going back inside and asking Gloria to get into the reading with the invisibility magic, but she quickly decided against it. Gloria had already indicated she didn't want to have anything much to do with this investigation anymore—especially in her capacity as boss. And Tessa didn't want to test the bonds of their friendship as they were navigating this new relationship of boss and underling.
Then she remembered something. Lark's name had been on the list of beneficiaries invited to attend the reading of the will. Tessa glanced at the clock on the dashboard. She'd have to hurry, but maybe she could catch Lark before the chef went into the mansion.
As she drove across town and out toward Mr. Green's neighborhood, Tessa chuckled to herself. It was a good thing Mist River didn't have any budget issues. There were never many cops out issuing speeding tickets, and she'd been doing a lot of fast driving lately.
She was relieved when she pulled into the mouth of Mr. Green's driveway and the gate was open wide. Obviously, since they were expecting people from outside of the estate, the staff had left it unlocked.
She drove up to the house and felt even more victorious when she caught a glimpse of Lark getting out of a beat-up old Pontiac.
Tessa jumped out of Linda and hurried over to the other woman. Lark gave her a quizzical look. "Tessa. What are you doing here?"
"The lawyers at my firm believe it may be in your best interest to have representation in attendance at the reading of the will," Tessa said, doing her best to keep her tone smooth and a businesslike smile in place.
Lark scrunched her nose and then scratched it. "I don't know. Why would I need a lawyer in there now? Maybe after I know what it says."
"Oh, I'm just a paralegal. But I can sort of keep an eye on things for you, you know? If something doesn't seem like it's fair to you, I can report that right to my bosses. Then, if you need to hire them to fight anything in court for you, they’ll be ready."
Tessa held her breath as Lark considered that, shifting her feet a few times and glancing toward the mansion. Her whole body stiffened. Tessa followed her gaze and caught a glimpse of Hannah standing on the porch, staring at them. But when Tessa looked at her, Hannah turned and marched into the house.
"Okay," Lark said suddenly. "Yeah, that's great. Thanks for being here."
Tessa wondered at her sudden change in attitude. Did it have something to do with Hannah? She pushed away the thought, not really caring why Lark had agreed—just glad she had.
They walked together up the stairs and through the front doorway.
Wow.
If Tessa had thought the kitchen was immaculate and grand, going through the front door was absolutely mind-blowing. She’d only ever seen such lavish decor on television. It was almost too much for her to comprehend. Elegance, fashion, and most of all, money was on full display.
Everywhere she looked, there was something that must've come from a fine Italian or French shop. Marble, glass, and brass dominated the space. At the top of an expansive, double-wide staircase with extravagantly carved railings was a gargantuan portrait of Artemis Green that looked hand-painted and must be at least six feet. He appeared serene in a forest green smoking jacket.
"This way, please." A man in a tuxedo and bowler gestured with white-gloved hands for them to head through the doorway he stood in. He was around Tessa’s height but probably twenty pounds thinner, making him look almost not there. "The reading will take place in this room," he intoned, as though it were the most boring thing in the world.
Lark glanced at Tessa and then lurched forward. Tessa trailed behind, trying to see as much as she could while her eyes threatened to mutiny and squeeze shut. It was just too much extravagance to deal with at once.
When they crossed the threshold into the next room, it was only slightly less distracting. The word sitting room leapt to Tessa’s mind as she looked around, but maybe it would've been more appropriately termed a library because book-lined shelves covered two walls. The rest of the room held several scattered seating areas, each apparently designed to provide a cozy spot to read or chat.
Tessa recognized Mrs. Green sitting in a wing-backed, burgundy chair wearing a lap blanket, her cane leaning against the square end table next to her. Hannah stood just behind her mother, resting a delicate hand on the back of the chair. Hannah’s face was impassive, but Tessa caught a glimpse of red-rimmed eyes. She'd either been crying, hadn't gotten much sleep, or both.
There were a few other people in the room who Tessa didn't recognize, but by the way they were dressed and their features, she assumed they were relatives of Mr. Green—maybe nieces and nephews or, perhaps, even some of Hannah and Nathaniel's children.
Tessa followed Lark across the room, where Lark took a seat along the far wall, as though she'd chosen a spot as far away from Mrs. Green as possible. Tessa felt the elderly woman's eyes on them. When she sank onto the sofa next to Lark and looked back at Mrs. Green, she was glaring at them. But she didn't say anything, and behind her, Hannah didn't spare them a glance at all.
The tuxedoed man in the doorway bellowed once again, "This way, please." He spoke toward the front door. "The reading will take place in this room."
A moment later, a woman walked through the door. She was the no-nonsense type, wearing a navy-blue skirt suit and exactly matching pumps. Her hair was swept up into a perfect bun. She wore frameless glasses, and it was impossible to tell her age. She carried a leather suitcase, which she promptly set on an end table, opened, and withdrew papers from.
"My name is Elise Lowen, Mr. Green’s estate attorney. Thank you all for coming." The crisp tone matched her businesslike demeanor and attire. "I know this is a difficult time for all of you, and I appreciate you being here for the reading of Artemis Green’s will. I shall not take up much of your time."
Several of the younger crowd rushed to find seats.
Elise nodded, then glanced around the room, satisfied. "I know this is a bit unorthodox. Wills aren't usually read like this, as they are in the movies. But given the current . . . circumstances, which includes a second death in the family and the health of Mrs. Green,” she inclined her head in apology to the old woman, “this is the most expedient way to proceed.”
Mrs. Green waved a hand. "Yes, yes. I’m old and infirm. Everybody knows it. Have been for thirty years, at least. Get on with it, will you? I'm feeling the need to lie down soon."
Hannah patted her mother's shoulder. "It's okay, Mom. I don't think this will take too long."
Elise didn't react to Mrs. Green’s rudeness. She began to read from the paper in front of her. “According to the last will and testament of Mr. Artemis Green, who was of sound mind and body when he ordered the document drawn up, his daughter Hannah is named executor of the estate."
Hannah nodded slightly, but otherwise, there was no reaction in the room. Apparently, that piece of news wasn’t actually news to anyone.
The lawyer went on reading, "My wife, Mrs. Green, will maintain residence at our estate as long as she is living. She will also maintain her usual stipend from the company." Elise paus
ed and glanced up, as though expecting questions.
Mrs. Green didn't disappoint. "What about the company?" she bellowed. "I suppose I've been named CEO?"
Elise’s eyes dropped back to the paper. "Let me see. There it is. This was a more recent change. The company . . . yes, well I’d like to get back to that in a moment.” She glanced back up and gave Mrs. Green a slightly reproachful look. “I’m not finished talking about the property."
Mrs. Green seemed to struggle, as though she were trying to get to her feet. She blustered and grunted for her to go on.
Hannah firmly but gently pulled her mother back into the chair and then patted her again. "It's okay, Mom. Let her read the rest. What more is there about the property?"
"Well, the deed was solely in Mr. Green's name. After Mrs. Green's death, the property is to pass to Mrs. Hannah Neilson."
Mrs. Green approved, nodding slowly. “And the company?”
Elise Lowen grimaced. There was something there she wasn’t ready to read off, not even now. “Yes. The company. Here it is. The company is to pass to Ms. Lark Jordan.”
Mrs. Green's mouth fell open. Around the room, murmurs went up among the various young people. It was obvious that no one had expected that.
Lark gasped and stiffened. "What?" she breathed out.
The only person besides Tessa who seemed to be taking the news calmly was Hannah. Her face was impassive, and her tone was calm when she said, "And the other assets? Am I to dole them out to Lark, as well?"
Elise nodded once. "Some, not all of them.”
Hannah nodded and drew herself up. "Well, I hate this, but I have no choice. I must contest my father's will.” She finally turned her head toward us, heat rising as splotchy red marks on her cheeks. She pointed at Lark. “Because I know that woman killed my husband."
Lark shot to her feet. "I did not kill Nathaniel or our father! I didn't even want any money or his company."
A rumble of footsteps in the foyer made everyone quiet down and look toward the doorway. As though on cue, several police officers entered the room.
Tessa’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. It was almost as though it was staged, like they’d been waiting in the wings.
The men made a beeline for Lark.
One of the officers, a plump, red-headed man who looked no older than nineteen, squeaked, “You’re under arrest for murder, ma’am. Please put your hands behind your back and turn around slowly.”
“What? No! I didn’t kill anyone. I couldn’t!” Tears streamed down Lark’s face. Then her expression hardened, and she scowled at Hannah. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you did it. You always did want to keep everything to yourself.”
Hannah marched over and stood a few feet away from Lark. “You should have left this family alone while you had the chance. But no. You had to stick your nose in where you weren’t wanted. There was no way you could ever have what we have unless you killed to get it.”
“You know that’s not true!”
“Now you’re going to have nothing—less than nothing—just like you deserve.” Hannah looked at the officer, who had finished handcuffing Lark. “Take her out of my home,” she spat before whirling around and stomping back to her mother.
As they began to pull her from the room, Lark cast a panicked glanced over her shoulder at Tessa. "I'm going to need the help from your law firm that you promised me before," she called before disappearing through the doorway.
Tessa winced. Right. The law firm. The very fake law firm.
Chapter 17
TESSA JABBED AT THE screen of her cell phone, sending off a quick SOS text to Gloria that explained what happened to the reading as a vision of Lark’s panicked face floated in her mind. Then, she leaned against Linda's driver-side door.
So much for keeping Gloria out of it. She’d messed up. Badly. First, she’d managed to get Silas into big trouble, and now Lark had been hauled away to jail. Not only that, but Lark also thought she had a connection with real lawyers, and she didn't because Tessa had lied.
What was she thinking? She shouldn't have used that ruse to get into Lark's home to talk to her or to get into the reading of the will.
Tessa had always thought she was a good person. One who told the truth. Before she became a grim reaper, she’d done nothing more than the occasional little white lie here and there. Sometimes, she would tell elderly ladies like Mrs. Cross she liked their hair instead of telling them the style came and went in the Eighties. Tessa considered herself ethical, moral, and decent. But lately, the lies were piling up, and people were getting hurt because of them.
She should have let this whole thing go, just like Gloria said. After Silas was cleared of Mr. Green's murder, she should’ve let the whole matter go. There was no way she could solve this case. She didn't even have a right to try.
Misery seemed to soak into every cell in her body. Remorse and guilt warred with embarrassment in her thoughts.
She checked her phone screen, but Gloria hadn’t answered yet. What was she going to be able to do about it anyway? Tessa had gotten herself and others into this mess—why should her friend need to get involved, wade into the lies and mistakes, and bail her out?
But she had no idea what to do next—or how to fix this.
She heard the mansion’s front door start to open and, on a whim, dashed around the back of Linda, crouching low in the bushes. There were still a few stray cars in the driveway from the reading, so Tessa hoped whoever was coming out wouldn’t recognize her old Buick.
She peered around the car's back fender and saw Hannah coming outside with an officer. They were chatting in low tones, but Tessa couldn't hear what they were saying. She wanted to get closer.
The pair descended the porch steps and then headed around the house, and Tessa scurried forward, mindful of the cameras on the corners of the house. She may not be good at keeping her friends out of trouble, but Tessa had proven to be fairly talented at staying in the shadows. She really wanted to know what Hannah and the detective were talking about.
As they approached the back end of the house, Hannah and the officer continued toward the horse paddock. Tessa put on a burst of speed to get closer, and she could finally hear them.
"That's a big favor I just did for you," the detective said. "We don't really have much evidence against Lark."
Hannah leveled a cool look at her companion. "Well, this gives you time to find it. I told you, and your handwriting expert will verify it, that the note Nathaniel left wasn't written in his handwriting. That signature looked like his but not the rest."
The detective kicked at a stone in his path, and it tumbled up the gravel lane ahead of them. "Assuming you're right, that doesn't mean it was Lark’s handwriting."
Hannah crossed her arms over her chest, as though her sleeves weren't thick enough to keep out the autumn chill. "That's true. But just think about it for a minute. Who else had a motive to murder my father?"
The detective stopped in his tracks and barked out a laugh. "Well, I can think of a few people." His tone was sarcastic as he inclined his head toward Hannah and gave her a pointed look.
"You’ve got to be kidding me!" She kept walking, and the officer lengthened his strides to catch back up with her. "When my father died, I was with my husband, and when Nathaniel died, I was here with my mother. She often needs help during the night, and I don't trust the staff enough to leave her alone with them."
"Did she need you last night?"
"No. Mom took a sleeping pill and slept through the night. She even slept in a little, which isn’t like her. This whole affair is weighing heavily on her."
They walked in silence for a while until they arrived at the fence line. Hannah put her hands on top and stared out into the paddock. Then she made a kissing noise with her mouth, and several horses looked up from where they had been munching. Slowly, they began to make their way over to her.
The officer didn't touch the fence, and he didn't look at the horses. His attention was
on Hannah. "What about this Silas St. Onge guy? The one we originally arrested. Where does he come in?"
She shrugged and held out her hand for the first horse who arrived, a chestnut gelding. He whinnied a greeting and then grabbed the carrot out of her hand. "I don't know Silas. Why?"
The officer took half a step away from the fence, as though he were slightly afraid of the horse. He kept an eye on the creature as he spoke. "We believe he may have been planted by someone. You know, to take the fall. He wouldn’t say why he was here that morning, only that he was a fan of Mr. Green and trying to catch a glimpse."
Hannah's head whipped around, and she pinned the officer with a hard look. "You know we’ve had folks like that before.”
"Yeah, well, we've got him under surveillance now. Is that thing dangerous?" He gestured toward the horse.
Hannah laughed. "Of course not. He's as gentle as they come. Would you like to take a ride?"
Tessa crept away, guilt an even more crushing presence than it had been a moment before.
Silas was under surveillance? This was all her fault.
Well, there was one silver lining in what she'd managed to find out. The police knew Nathaniel hadn’t committed suicide.
As she arrived back in the driveway, Tessa's phone buzzed, and she pulled it out to see the text from Gloria: Meet me at the police station. I have a plan.
Chapter 18
WHEN TESSA PULLED UP outside the police station, she thought for a moment that her mom was waiting in front of the building for her. After a second, she realized it was Gloria, dressed in a pantsuit.
Tessa jumped out of Linda and hurried over to Gloria. She gestured toward the outfit. "Not really your style, is it?"
"I borrowed it from Ella. She works for a CPA. Just trust me, all right, and trust our badges to get us through." She headed toward the door, and Tessa followed along, clutching the badge on her lanyard.