The next message was from John.
“Hey, can’t talk. Just checking in. I miss you.”
I miss you too.
For once she wanted to share an update on the Pattersons and get his reaction about the appearance of Todd Wallace on the scene. His message gave her a little energetic push and left her with a goofy smile on her face. She left a similar message on his phone.
George had left two files in her inbox with the note: “Let’s talk.” Hollis skimmed through them and immediately saw what was needed. She drafted the legal letters and tucked them in her drawer. At least she was able to get a jump on something.
She wrote notes on her Patterson family encounter and the status of the estate. She was ready to file them in a folder when George appeared in her doorway.
“We missed you at the staff meeting.”
“I didn’t get back until after it had started. Anything I need to know?”
George leaned against the doorway and took out a small pad. “No, there are some office procedural things that are changing. Ask Tiffany about those. Oh, and your friend Vince got a few compliments. Everyone is happy with the mail service. Finally, our billables are up for the year and Ed is very pleased.”
“That sounds great.” Hollis could barely muster a smile.
He let the pad rest on his leg then folded his hands behind his neck and gazed at her. “What’s the matter?”
“I said ‘great,’ ” she said. “Nothing’s the matter.”
“You look stressed and ….” The closer he looked as her, the more she stiffened. “Is Shelby still making you crazy? Or is it the Wallace case?”
She sighed. “Maybe a little of both, but I’ll be fine. Once the Patterson house is sold I won’t feel so anxious.”
George nodded slowly. “All right. How was the trip to the house with Miss Patterson?”
“Very interesting. Here are my notes. Don’t read them now; wait until tomorrow.” She stood. “I’m going home.”
George took the pages and stood as well.
“Now that’s an idea. Get some rest. What are your next steps?”
Hollis glanced at her calendar. “I met with Detective Mosley and he gave me some facts that could really impact what we know about Jeffrey’s dea … I mean trust.”
“We?”
Hollis shook her head. “I meant me.” She smiled sheepishly. “I was using the queen’s ‘we.’ ”
She talked George through the highlights from the meeting with the detective.
He turned to leave. “I know you’re not happy with this outcome, but at least it sounds like the drama is coming to an end.”
“Maybe.”
Rather than leave early, Hollis stayed a little longer at work. Fortunately the day ended quietly. Hollis was now caught up with her case assignments from George, and she was able to assist another attorney with research on another matter. It was a relief not to have any interest in the legal outcome.
When she got home she quickly finished her household chores, freeing up the rest of the evening to finish a book she’d started weeks before.
Early the next morning, after a rare jog around the neighborhood, she returned home to get ready for work. Hollis smiled to herself. She was more than happy not to have any messages on her voicemail.
She sent John his daily text.
Even with the short morning workout, she was in the office before everyone else. Feeling as if her batteries had been recharged, she arranged to meet Stephanie for coffee. Thinking of her friend brought a smile to her face. They were much alike, and Stephanie, in her capacity as a forensic technician, had proven herself more than just a friend, but a life-saver.
“You should have called me last weekend,” Stephanie said. “If I’d known John was out of town, I’d have asked you to the movies.”
They were sitting in the police department cafeteria. The room was half-filled, with a few children running about and two or three tables of adults holding muffled conversations.
“I had a fantastic weekend by myself.” Hollis picked at a blueberry muffin. “John has been putting pressure on me to move in with him. I needed time to think.”
“Whoa, lady.” Stephanie put her food down. “You never told me you two were contemplating Defcon two. We need to have a long talk.”
Hollis smiled. “That’s why I needed time alone, to contemplate.”
“You don’t sound very cheerful.” Stephanie stared at her friend.
“I am. I … I just don’t know …. I’m not sure.” Hollis sat hugging herself, her hands gripping her upper arms.
Stephanie gave her an encouraging smile and nodded in understanding. “Then you’re right to take your time.”
Hollis said, “So, how is Aurelia? Any psychic revelations?”
“Not since we last talked.” Stephanie took a bite of her bran muffin and chewed thoughtfully. Covering her mouth, she said, “I’m not that reliant on her. Although, I think you might be able to figure the John thing out better if you had a psychic session.”
Stephanie swore to the authenticity and accuracy of Aurelia’s predictions. Hollis was less impressed and the two friends agreed to disagree.
“I’ll pass. I’ve stumbled along this far.” Hollis wiped her mouth and checked the time. “What I need to figure out concerns my two clients. Both are atypical cases and both are challenging.”
“Hmm, as often as you come here for meetings with the detectives, I take it that at least one of those cases involves law enforcement.”
“Both do. When I was on parole, I knew that if I never saw a police department again, it would be fine with me.” Hollis’ smile was bittersweet. “But ever since I got off parole this place has practically become my second home. Go figure.”
“Maybe you should go into criminal law.”
Once Hollis was back at her office, she made a call to Richard.
“This must be important. I don’t ever remember getting a call from you,” he said.
“I apologize for bothering you at work, but I couldn’t wait until our meeting. I need you to run a credit check on Brian—the kind the banks run with the FICO scores. I’ll give you his social, and I’ve got his release to share info with the team.”
Richard took down the number. “Got it. See you Thursday.”
She made her next call.
“Gene, is there any way you can find out about Todd Wallace’s prison sentence?” she asked. “I’m getting the legal party line, but I was thinking you might be able to come up with the street version.”
She could imagine Gene pulling at his eyebrows. It was a wonder he had any left. She gave him a summary of her conversation with Mosley.
“I’ll give it a shot,” he said. “Jeffrey’s son is out on parole?”
“And he’s making it work,” Hollis said. “The police are satisfied.”
“But you’re not?”
“Nope, I’m not.”
Her last call was to Rena. They agreed to meet for lunch. After cursory air kisses, they dove into the menus.
“You know it’s rare I have time to eat a social lunch,” Rena said, scanning the long list of salads. “But we lucked out. One of our stores cancelled a meeting and it freed up my afternoon. What’s going on with Brian?”
Hollis brought her up to date with her meetings with Brian and Mosley.
“There’s something not right,” Hollis said. “It’s like looking for one of those pictures within a picture, but you can’t see it because there is so much other clutter.”
“Yeah, those things make me cross-eyed.” Rena put the menu aside. “Are we really going to eat? Or is this just a micro Fallen Angels meeting? I’m starving.”
“We’re going to eat,” Hollis said.
The server took their order.
Rena raised an eyebrow when she saw Hollis pull out a pad and pen. “I thought so.”
“I hoped I could talk to you about two issues—Jeffrey and Shelby.”
Rena nodded. “I w
as wondering what was happening with Shelby. I was afraid to ask. I haven’t called her aunt in LA because … because I hated to give them something else to worry about. They want so badly for her to go to college and succeed; they’d be discouraged if they discover she’s acting up. Well … I just wanted to see if we could work things out so I wouldn’t have to make that call.”
“Shelby is a typical teenager trying to find her way. She can be exasperating, but she’s got good instincts. Now her ‘step’ family …. That’s another story.
“That bad?” she asked. “Denise told me about the shooting and how Shelby has been acting irresponsibly.”
Hollis’ forehead creased. “Did you know that Shelby went missing for three days and no one knew where she was? I even filed a missing persons report.”
Rena’s brown eyes widened. “No, I had no idea. I take it she eventually surfaced okay?”
“Yeah, but I felt like an idiot—particularly with the police—when I found out she was deliberately hiding out at a girlfriend’s. She only did it because she was intimidated by her stepfather and siblings, and on this point I understand her reaction. They want to stop her from selling the house.”
Rena sighed. “Darol and his kids can be unsavory, but I don’t think they would hurt her.”
“They do a pretty good intimidation number, however. That’s why I’ve had to change the locks—twice.” Hollis held up two fingers for emphasis. She went on to explain about the shooting and what had transpired since. “Shelby was complaining of phone hang-ups and other harassing activity. I’ve been getting a few hang-ups myself.”
“Oh, Hollis, I’m sorry. I had no idea. I didn’t think—”
“It’s okay, I’m getting used to them.” Hollis put down her fork and let the waitress take her plate away. “We need to sell the house quickly. The longer this matter drags on, the more injured the Pattersons become. It’s like a raw sore.”
“What do you want me to do?” Rena asked. “I know Darol. I can try to talk some sense into him. Joy and Sonny I’ve only met a few times. They were raised by their mother.”
Hollis frowned. “See if Darol will meet with you. Once I talk with Shelby I’d like you to bounce an idea off him. He could be given a portion of the sale proceeds for rent money—say for six months. If he still wants his kids to live with him, that’s on him. But there is no more money after that. I have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure there is enough money to pay for Shelby’s school and as much of her housing costs as possible.”
Rena nodded. “Hollis, that’s a great idea, but I thought you didn’t want to get involved.”
“I didn’t,” Hollis said. “While I may not have the patience or communication skills for a family counselor, I do know how to cut a mutually beneficial settlement.”
“Do you think Shelby will agree?”
“I can only hope. But she knows I’m tired of her moods and inconsiderate behavior. Besides, she has to register soon for fall classes; and she’ll want to move on. I’m pretty sure I can convince her. It’s a fair deal.”
“Okay, when I get your go-ahead that Shelby is on board, I’ll tell Denise to get in touch with Darol.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I need you to call.”
Hollis pulled out her notebook. “Now let’s move on to Brian Wallace,” she said. “I need you to go back one more time to your friends and find out if Frances has put up her share for the casino yet. I don’t think she has, but I want to make sure. Finally, I was hoping you could find out if Brian Wallace has any gambling debts, or any loan shark activity.”
Rena took out a green leather monogrammed appointment book and jotted down a few notes.
“All right. I can handle that.”
“I’ve got Rich and Gene doing some extra looking, too. I hope to wrap all these ends up soon.”
“Great relaxing lunch, Hollis.” Rena dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “What are you going to do now, run a marathon?”
“Sorry.” She made a face. “I’m off to visit Mr. Brian Wallace. It seems he neglected to mention a few things when we met a couple of days ago.”
Hollis sat waiting for Brian in his living room. He left her alone while he finished a phone call. She took advantage of the time alone to take stock of her surroundings. There was a stack of unopened mail on the sofa table—at least the ones on top were bills, some envelopes in late-notice pink. She noted several glass rings on the walnut table where someone had let liquid stain the wood. On a side table was a white bag with a pharmacy logo. She read the bottle—a sleeping pill prescription.
She walked over to the cluttered mantel to look closer at a picture of Brian, Todd, and Jeffrey at a softball game. The brothers were still boys; Todd was in his teens. Todd was suited up, and Brian and Jeffrey grinned broadly. Evidently the ties of brotherhood weren’t completely severed.
Brian walked into the room wearing a pair of navy sweats. His blond hair was slicked back.
Hollis put the photo back. “Happier times?”
“Er … yeah. That was a long time ago.” Brian sat on the edge of an ottoman. “What’s the urgency? Sorry I couldn’t meet with you earlier; I had to meet with my other attorney. You said it was important to talk.”
“Yeah, Brian, I think we’re coming to a fork in our road.” Hollis’ expression was serious. “If we are to continue as attorney-client I need to take over as co-executor. Because of your status as a charged murderer, you really can’t perform the due diligence that’s needed. Granted, there’s not much left to do. We’re either going to find something on Frances shortly, or we’re not. But I want to be able to close Jeffrey’s estate.”
“Actually, I think that’s a great idea. But what do you mean I won’t be able to perform?” Brian was starting to raise his voice, but he still accepted the sheet of paper Hollis pulled out, and without reading, quickly scribbled his name.
“What I mean is, why didn’t you tell me about the results of the GSR test? The police found gunshot residue on you, which is damning evidence that you’d recently fired a gun. Also, just the day before yesterday you neglected to mention that your brother Todd was adopted and in fact no longer incarcerated—but has been out of prison for the past two months. I’m your attorney; you’re supposed to tell me everything. And more importantly, you’re supposed to tell me the truth.”
Hollis moved to stand in front of him, and Brian backed away.
“You’re my probate attorney,” he mumbled.
Hollis looked at him a moment and sat down. “I won’t even be that if you don’t tell me the truth. I can’t advise you if I don’t have access to all the beneficiaries. I need to speak with your brother.”
“I spoke with him a few days ago. He said Dad had found him a decent place to live that he could afford. Todd … Todd doesn’t want anything.” Brian looked down at his hands in his lap.
Hollis was silent.
Brian looked at her. “Okay, honest, I didn’t know he was out until a little while ago. It was between him and Dad. I know I should have told you when I found out. But I wanted to get the trust wrapped up, and he said he didn’t want anything anyway. He wasn’t even expecting the first editions.”
“He’ll have to sign a statement. Those first editions could be valuable, or they could just be old.” She made a note. “We’ll have to rush to get them appraised, and then have him sign a release.”
Brian jumped up. “Why do we have to waste time and money getting them valued? Frances had it done a few years ago. Besides, didn’t you hear me? He said he didn’t want any part of Dad’s estate.”
Hollis deliberately lowered her voice. “He cannot sign away his rights to something when he doesn’t know the value.” She looked up at him. “He could change his mind.”
Brian ran his fingers through his hair but said nothing.
“So tell me, what was the real reason you didn’t tell me Todd was out on parole? Were you trying to keep me in the dark so you could rush the filing? Did Jeff
rey tell you about Todd the night you argued?”
Brian’s jaw tightened.
“Your silence answered that question. If he doesn’t accept the books you’ll be able to sell them and keep the proceeds for your wedding.” Hollis peered at him. “Now answer this: why didn’t you tell me about the results of the GSR test?”
He shrugged. “Why? What does it matter to the trust?”
“How did you get traces on your shoes?”
Hunching his shoulders and dropping his chin, he mumbled something incoherent.
“What did you say?” Hollis snapped, on the verge of losing her temper.
“I said, I came back.”
“You mean, you argued with your dad, came back after someone killed him and then left him there for the cleaning crew to find?”
Brian fell on the sofa, sobbing hysterically.
Hollis shivered and looked at him with pity.
“I’ll take care of your brother’s paperwork.” Headed for the door, she picked up her briefcase and purse. “I should be able to file the trust on time,” she said over her shoulder as she went out the door.
Chapter 19
John texted her that he would call at eight o’clock that night, and he was right on time.
“I miss you so much—even more than I thought I would,” she said, trying to keep the misery out of her voice.
“Hey, what’s the matter? You sound upset.”
“Not upset … well, maybe a little. My first two cases involve terrible people and it’s depressing as well as aggravating. I think I might be representing the bad guys.” Saying the words out loud was forcing Hollis to face her worst fears.
“Hollis Morgan in distress … now that’s a first. What would Jeffrey say?”
She smiled weakly. “I can’t believe he’s been gone over a month, and thank you for your water in the face comment. Sometimes I need to hear how I sound to others.”
“I miss you, too.”
The Return of the Fallen Angels Book Club (A Hollis Morgan Mystery 3) Page 14