Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates (distant reading .txt) 📗

movies. Members of respectable law firms don’t do that sort of thing. I’m not being sarcastic. The knives were out for Dad, and it was only a matter of time before he was pushed overboard, if I may mix my metaphors. Dad wasn’t helping matters any, and he scarcely seemed to realize what was going on. Even your father couldn’t do anything about it. Your dad was always loyal to my dad. I’m sorry to say it, but my dad didn’t return the favor; all he cared about was saving his own bacon.”

I took another left. “Someone killed him, according to the police. If it wasn’t a random attack, then he had at least one enemy prepared to go to extremes.”

“I don’t know anything about Dad’s private life, if he had one. We didn’t spend much time together outside of the office—or even in it, lately. There were disgruntled clients, like that guy who showed up at the restaurant last night.”

“Gordon Frankland. He recognized your mom, but your mom says she never had anything to do with the firm.”

“They would have met at some charity do or another. My mom’s big on charity dos. Gives her a chance to buy a new dress, wear her diamonds, and show off. Dad and I know we’re expected to invite clients to her things. They’re expected to put in an appearance, if they know what’s good for them. Mom wasn’t at all happy to see Frankland yesterday.”

“To put it mildly,” I said.

“Dad might have told her the man was causing trouble. My dad talked about business with Mom more than she let on. On the other hand, Dad had debts, gambling debts, and he made one bad investment decision after another. Probably a lot Mom and I didn’t know about.”

“What do you want now, Ricky? Are you going to stay on at Richardson Lewiston?”

“I don’t know, Lucy. I really don’t know. I do know, however, that you’re driving in circles. I’ve seen that house before.”

“Get my phone out of my purse and call your mom. Ask her where she is and where the dog’s car harness is.”

I told Ricky the password to my phone as I made another left turn and headed for the Ocean Side. He made the call, and his mother answered. They spoke briefly and he hung up. “She’s still at the hotel. Says she decided to go shopping after lunch. She coulda told me that before I dragged you all over town, Lucy. Sorry.”

“Not a problem.”

Fluffy jumped up and down in the back seat, eager to be let out of the car. The sun was high in the sky and the temperatures in the eighties. I couldn’t leave the dog locked in the car when we went in search of Evangeline.

Ricky seemed to read my mind. “I’ll take the demon beast for a stroll around the property while you go in. I’d just as soon avoid Mom for a while longer. She’s in the restaurant, and she has the valet slip with her. They’ll get the harness for you.”

“Thanks,” I said.

I left Ricky and Fluffy glaring at each other and went inside in search of Evangeline. I found her in the restaurant, comfortably seated at a table for two with views over the garden, a glass of wine in front of her, but to my surprise she was not alone. A man leapt to his feet as I approached.

“I was telling Leon that I’m in town to congratulate you on your engagement, Lucy, and here you are in person.” Evangeline laughed lightly. She’d reapplied her makeup, and all trace of tears and sorrow had been covered up.

Her companion thrust out his hand. “Leon Lions. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Dear Lucy is the daughter of my oldest and dearest friend in all the world,” Evangeline cooed. For a moment I thought she’d mistaken me for someone else. “Leon and I go a long way back, don’t we, Leon?”

“So far back,” he said, chuckling, “I don’t dare try to remember how many years.” He was a pleasant-looking man around the age of Evangeline and my parents, with a deep—probably permanent—tan, a round, completely bald head, cheerful gray eyes, and a big belly and equally big smile. He was casually dressed in pressed slacks and a golf shirt. A heavy gold signet ring marked with an ornate letter L graced the index finger of his right hand. “Won’t you join us?” he said politely. “We haven’t ordered our lunches yet.”

Evangeline’s narrow eyes and tight smile said, Don’t you dare.

I almost accepted, just to see her reaction, but I shook my head. “Thank you, but no. I have to get back to work.”

“Did Ricky find his blazer?” she asked me.

“The night staff wasn’t there, so he has to go back later.” I was pretty sure the police wouldn’t be quite so patient. They’d be wanting to have a look at this missing white jacket. I didn’t tell Evangeline so. “Uh, the valet ticket?”

Evangeline turned to Leon. “I love my son dearly, but he is such a scatterbrain sometimes. He certainly doesn’t get that from me.”

Leon smiled fondly at her. “I’m looking forward to getting to know him.”

Okay.

“Do you live locally, Mr. Lions?” I asked.

“Please, call me Leon. Yes, yes I do. In Kill Devil Hills. Lived there all my life except for a few years spent in Boston in my youth, which is where I met this charming lady.”

Evangeline actually tittered.

Okay.

“And you’ve kept in touch all these years,” I said. “Isn’t that nice?”

“Not as much in touch as I would have liked,” Leon said. “Life gets ahead of us, doesn’t it, as the years pass before we realize. We still have mutual acquaintances, and I was informed this morning about Rich’s death. Naturally, I immediately contacted my old friend to offer any assistance she might require.” He smiled at Evangeline.

“What do you want, Lucy?” Evangeline snapped.

“Fluffy’s harness.”

“Oh, right. The reason you’re here.” She dug in her Kate Spade bag. “Here you go, dear; mustn’t