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

the case,” Watson said. “Let me ask you a question. Why do you think Rich Lewiston was in financial difficulties?”

“Because everyone from his son to my father to the junior partners in the law firm say so. He was about to be asked to take retirement. More like told to take retirement, whether he wanted to or not. And he did not. Did you know that?”

“I know how to run an investigation, Lucy.”

“Without your interference,” Officer Rankin added.

“Only trying to be of help,” I said.

“Because you have been of help in the past,” Watson said, “I answered your question.”

I dared to ask one more. “Have you spoken to Gordon Frankland about Monday night? He was at the restaurant when we were—you know that, right? He had words with Ricky about his dad. He was suing Richardson Lewiston for—”

Watson raised his hand. “I’ve spoken to Mr. Frankland, and what we discussed is confidential.”

“If you’re afraid he’s going to sue you, I won’t tell.” I smiled.

Watson might have been about to crack a smile in return. Or he might not. It’s hard to tell sometimes.

“Have a nice day, Lucy.” Watson turned and walked away. Rankin wiggled her eyebrows at me in a gesture I couldn’t interpret, then followed him. I watched them leave.

Watson held the door for a man hurrying into the hotel. The man caught sight of me and headed my way. “Lucy, good morning. How nice to see you.”

I struggled for his name. This was Evangeline’s friend, the one she’d been having lunch with yesterday.

“Leon Lions,” he said.

“Sorry. Yes. Good morning.”

“I’m looking for Evangeline. She called and suggested we have breakfast this morning.”

“She called you? She’s been rather busy, I would have thought. When was that?”

“Oh, a few minutes ago.” He glanced around the room. “Fortunately, I happened to be passing, so I could come right away. There she is now!”

He abandoned me and just about sprinted across the lobby, barely avoiding colliding with an elderly lady tapping her way carefully across the room, trailed by a cohort of family laden with beach bags, colorful balls, flotation devices, spades and shovels, and a bag clanging with cans of soft drinks.

Evangeline stepped out of the elevator with Stephen Livingstone. She broke into a smile—a real smile—when she saw Leon and hurried toward him. He wrapped her in an enthusiastic hug and kissed her on both cheeks. She pulled away eventually, laughing and blushing.

Interesting.

I joined them and asked, “Everything okay? Did the police have any updates for you?”

She sighed. “Nothing new. The same tedious questions. Why was Rich in Nags Head? Who might have wanted to kill him? What was the state of our marriage?” She turned to Stephen. “You should have stopped them asking that question. The state of our marriage has nothing to do with anything.”

“I thought it was a fair question, Mrs. Lewiston.”

“I didn’t. Never mind badgering me about where I was at the time Rich died.”

“They weren’t badgering, Mrs. Lewiston. Just asking. I thought—”

“I don’t know that I care what you thought. My husband was a senior partner in one of Boston’s most respectable law firms, not to mention scion of one of Boston’s oldest families. Why Millar sent me a wet-behind-the-ears, scarcely-out-of-law-school apprentice, I—” She walked away, heels tapping, still talking. Leon caught up to her, and they went into the restaurant together.

Stephen stared after her, his mouth flapping.

“Don’t take it personally,” I said. “She talks to everyone that way. My dad would have chosen you to come because he knows you can do the job. And that you can keep her out of trouble. That’s not always easy.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I can handle her. I’ve had … encounters with Mrs. Lewiston before.”

We walked into the restaurant together. Ricky was on his feet, shaking hands with Leon Lions, who was grinning from ear to ear. If he were a woman, I would have said he glowed with pleasure. He finally dropped Ricky’s hand and allowed Evangeline to introduce him to my mom. He barely glanced at her, and that was unusual. Men in that age group usually fuss over Mom. She’s slim and beautiful, she’s obviously rich, she’s gracious, and she has that soooo delighted to meet you air about her that men like. Come to think of it, men a lot younger than Leon Lions fuss over Mom.

He turned back to Evangeline. “Shall I find us a table?”

“First, I need to talk to my so-called lawyer,” Evangeline replied.

Stephen’s mouth tightened.

Mom stood up. “In that case, Lucy and I will be on our way.”

Evangeline took my vacated chair and shoved the dirty plate to one side. “I can’t spend any more time in this hotel. Suzanne, let’s have lunch in town and do some shopping. I saw an outlet mall the other day. That’ll be fun. Lucy and Ricky can join us for lunch. Shopping isn’t exactly Ricky’s thing, now, is it, dear?” She reached behind her and patted her son’s hand. “You and Lucy can find something fun to do. I’ve heard the Wright Brothers Memorial is very interesting.”

“You truly are persistent, I’ll give you that,” Mom said. “Lucy won’t have time. She’s …” Mom foundered to think of something for me to do. “She has people to interview about what happened to Rich.”

“I do?” I said. “Oh, right. Yes, I do. People to interview. Not interview as in formally take statements, just ask questions. Sorta.” I stopped talking. No one was paying any attention to me.

“You do remember what happened to Rich, don’t you, Evangeline?” Mom said. “The reason we’re all still here?”

“Of course I remember,” Evangeline said. “Don’t be ridiculous, Suzanne. If I was inclined to forget, the police are popping up constantly to remind me.”

“I’d like to see the Wright Brothers,” Ricky said. “If you’re busy, Lucy, I can go by myself.”

“I’ve had a great idea,” Leon said. “Ricky and I can have lunch with the ladies and then go to the memorial while they do their shopping. I haven’t been in years.”

“Why would Lucy