Fool Me Once

“Fine,” Judith said. “Let’s get this started.”

It was an odd thing with Judith, how easily she slipped from warm maternal figure to professional shrink to, as she was right now, starchy old-world matriarch complete with a British-tinged accent.

They began to take their seats, but Heather Howell stayed standing. Judith looked back at her. “Is there a problem?”

“I’m afraid there is.”

Heather was one of those attorneys who exude confidence and competence. You wanted her on your side. The first time Maya had met Heather Howell had been immediately after Joe’s marriage proposal. Heather had called her into this very room and slapped down a prenup agreement. In a no-nonsense yet not unfriendly tone, she had told Maya, “Signing this document is nonnegotiable.”

Now, for the first time, Heather Howell looked a little lost or at least out of her comfort zone.

“Heather?” Judith said.

Heather Howell turned to her.

“What’s going on?”

“I’m afraid we will have to postpone the reading of the Last Will and Testament.”

Judith looked at Caroline. Nothing. She looked at Maya. Maya just stood there. Judith turned back to Heather. “Do you care to explain why?”

“There are certain protocols we have to follow.”

“What kind of protocols?”

“It’s nothing to worry about, Judith.”

Judith did not like that reply. “Do I look like I’m in the mood to be patronized?”

“No, you don’t.”

“So why can’t we read Joe’s will?”

“It isn’t that we can’t read it,” Heather said, weighing each word before allowing it to leave her mouth.

“But?”

“But there has been a delay.”

“And again I ask: Why?”

“It’s paperwork really,” Heather said.

“What do you mean?”

“We, uh, we don’t have an official death certificate.”

Silence.

“He’s been dead almost two weeks,” Judith said. “We had a funeral.”

Closed casket, Maya suddenly remembered.

It hadn’t been Maya’s decision. She’d let Joe’s family handle that one. It hadn’t mattered to her. Death was death. Let them perform whatever ritual eased their pain the most. Closed casket had, of course, made perfect sense. Joe had been shot in the head. Even with the best work a mortician could do, you probably wouldn’t want to see that.

Judith’s voice again: “Heather?”

“Yes, of course, I know, I mean, I was at the funeral. But this probate requires a death certificate, some kind of proof. It is an unusual case here. I’m having one of my associates check through the case law. Because Joe was, well, murdered, we need verification from official authorities within the police department. I was just informed that it will take a little more time to secure the proofs.”

“How long?” Judith asked.

“I really can’t say, but I hope it won’t be more than a day or two now that we are on it.”

Neil spoke for the first time. “What do you mean, proofs? You mean like proof Joe is dead?”

Heather Howell started fiddling with her wedding band. “I really haven’t gotten all the facts yet, but before we can enter probate, this… Let’s call it a snafu, shall we?… This snafu just has to be untangled. I have my best people on it. I’ll be in touch soon.”

With everyone momentarily stunned silent, Heather Howell quickly spun and left the room.

Chapter 12

It’s nothing,” Judith said, leading Maya back toward the foyer.

Maya did not reply.

“This is how lawyers are. Everything has to be just so, partially for your protection, mostly to up the billable hours.” She tried to smile at that, but it wouldn’t hold. “My strong belief is that there is just some red tape due to the circumstances…” Her voice faded away then, as though she was just realizing that she was talking about Joe, not some legal matter.

“Two sons,” Judith said in a hollow voice.

“I’m sorry.”

“No mother should have to bury two sons.”

Maya took her hand. “No,” she said, “no mother should.”

“Nor should a young woman have to bury a sister and a husband.”

“Death follows you, Maya…”

Maybe it followed Judith too.

Judith held on to her hand another moment, then let go. “Please stay in touch, Maya.”

“Of course.”

They headed outside into the sun. Judith’s black limousine was waiting. The chauffeur held the door open.

“Bring Lily around soon.”

“I will.”

“And please work it out with Isabella.”

“The sooner I can see her,” Maya said, “the sooner we can put this misunderstanding behind us.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Judith slid into the back. The chauffeur closed the door. Maya stood there until the limo was down the drive and out of sight.

When she got to her car, Caroline was waiting.

“Do you have a moment to talk?” Caroline asked.

Not really, Maya thought. She was eager now to be on her way. She had places to go. Two to be exact. First, she wanted to stop in the servants’ area again and maybe surprise Rosa. If that didn’t work, she had a backup plan to locate Isabella. Second, she needed to go to Leather and Lace and see what connection there could possibly be between this “gentlemen’s club” and her late sister.

Caroline put her hand on Maya’s arm. “Please?”

“Yeah, okay.”