Murder Checks Inn - Tim Myers [5]
Armstrong said, “Now, how can you prove something you didn’t know? I’ve got just your word for it that your dad didn’t have contact with any of you all along.”
“All we got were postcards once a year, and they were always addressed to Mother,” Steven said.
Armstrong shrugged. “I still need to know where you all were this morning.”
Cynthia regained enough of her composure to say, “I’m afraid we won’t be answering any of your questions until we consult with our attorney, Sheriff.”
Armstrong said, “Unless you’ve got a Ouija board, I don’t think you’re going to have much luck doing that.”
“We’ll find new representation in Charlotte,” Cynthia said stiffly.
Steven said, “I’m going to call Sandra Beckett. She’ll know what to do.”
Ashley said, “Honestly, Steven, do you think your old girlfriend is up to it?”
“She was never my girlfriend, Ashley; we just went to college together. Sandra’s the only top-notch attorney I know anywhere near Elkton Falls, and I doubt we’re going to get a decent lawyer from Charlotte willing to come up here. If Sandra isn’t acceptable, do you have a better idea?” It was more of a challenge than a question.
“Just make the call,” Cynthia said. “Let me meet her first, and then we’ll decide.”
As Steven went off to make the call, Alex still couldn’t believe it. Jase was gone. And it wasn’t the quiet, peaceful death he’d deserved, either. Alex realized long ago that Jase wouldn’t be around forever, but losing him to murder was too much. Alex stood there in the lobby in a daze, Elise close by, not talking but giving him space and time to get used to the fact that his uncle was gone.
After Steven finished his call, the threesome sat with Sheriff Armstrong until Sandra came in fifteen minutes later, along with a young woman in her early twenties Alex didn’t recognize.
Sandra ignored the family and walked straight to Alex. She wrapped her arms around him and said, “Alex, I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved your uncle.”
“Thanks,” he said as he returned her embrace. Elise had stayed close, but what he’d truly needed was a hug. He just hadn’t realized it until Sandra had put her arms around him. They had dated for quite some time, but it turned out that Sandra was a much better friend than girlfriend.
When he and Sandra broke free, Alex noticed that Elise hadn’t moved an inch away from him.
Sandra turned to the group and said, “Hello, Steven. It’s good to see you again.”
“Thanks for coming,” Steven said.
“I’m afraid there’s a problem. I won’t be able to represent you in this matter. I’ve got a conflict of interest.”
“What are you talking about, Sandra?” Steven asked.
Sandra motioned to the young woman with her and said, “I was supposed to meet with Jase this morning before he came out here to read the will.” She gestured toward the woman, then said, “There’s no easy way to say this. Everyone, I’d like you all to meet Julie Hart. She’s Mathias’s other daughter.”
“That’s absurd,” Cynthia said as she scowled at the young woman. “Mathias Trask had only one daughter.”
Julie looked as if she might cry, but she kept her bottom lip steady as she said, “I only just found out myself. I’m still having a hard time believing it.”
Ashley said, “It’s obvious she’s a fake. Why, she doesn’t look like any of us.”
Julie said simply, “I favor my mother.”
Steven asked, “Is it true, then? Are you really our sister?”
Sandra stepped in. “It appears so. A few weeks ago, Julie received a letter from Mathias’s business manager in South America. There was an explanation in the packet, then a message from Mathias himself. There was no doubt in Mathias Trask’s mind she was his true daughter, and he promised to treat her as such, in writing.”
Cynthia scoffed. “A letter from a dead man will not stand up in court. We’ll have DNA tests run! She’ll get nothing. I’ll make sure of that.”
Sandra grinned. “Oh, I think she has a very good chance of inheriting her share, Cynthia. With Mathias’s declaration,