Double Indemnity, page 14
“Your call, but Elena will expect you to be there. In the meantime, start preparing a memo identifying the issues that may come up now that Thompson is deceased and how we’re going to respond to them.”
“Related to the insurance policies and valuation of the business?”
“Correct. If we assume Thompson didn’t change his estate plan, putting a number on the percentage of the company that will pass to Elena will likely be our toughest challenge. Don’t send your memo to Elena. Make it for internal use only.”
“This is a tough situation,” Liz said and sighed once more.
“You’re up to the job,” Harold replied with a smile. “I don’t toss out thousand-dollar gift cards to underachievers.”
* * *
Connor finalized plans for Matt’s funeral service. To his relief, Anne asked only that she and her girls be seated at the front of the sanctuary and that the children’s relationship to their father be listed on the program. Neither Elena nor Anne wanted an open casket, and Elena said no to a receiving line at the local funeral home. She didn’t want to be stuck in a room with Anne for several hours. The service was set for 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
Notice of the funeral was posted on the church website and included in the brief obituary published in the local paper. Connor wrote the obituary based on responses to questions he sent to Elena and Anne. He was standing beside Michelle’s desk when the light on her phone lit up signaling an incoming call. His assistant normally wore a headset when on phone duty.
“Good afternoon, Rock Community Church,” she said and then put her hand over the tiny microphone. “Do you want to talk to Reg Bullock?”
“Yes, I’ll take it.”
Connor returned to his office.
“I saw the notice in the paper for Matt Thompson’s funeral,” Reg said after Connor answered. “Did you have any problems from Elena or Matt’s ex-wife in organizing the service?”
“No. It will be a brief ceremony. I’ll share a pared-down version of what I said on Sunday.”
“You’ll do great. The reason I called was to pass along to you the status of the investigation into Matt’s death. Andy McNamara says a posse from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been crawling all over Burnt Pine Tree for the past two days. I don’t think that would happen without a reason. They’re looking for something or someone.”
“‘Someone’?”
“Andy suspects it’s some type of physical evidence. The GBI has been running a bunch of dogs during the day and into the night that have spooked every deer on the reserve. Several men from the sheriff’s department were there too. Yesterday afternoon they asked Andy to take them to the area where you crossed the property.”
“Did they find anything?”
“Not while Andy was with them.” Reg paused. “The lead investigator for the GBI asked Andy a bunch of questions about you. Was this the first time you’d been caught on the property without permission? Do you know whether anyone ever complained about you trespassing?”
“I wasn’t caught trespassing!”
“That’s just the way he put it. Also, the investigator wanted to know if Andy had seen you with Matt or Elena, individually or as a couple.”
“What did Andy tell him?”
“That he saw you sitting with Elena in her car a few weeks ago in front of the coffee shop on Dixon Street. Andy knew it was Elena because she drives a baby blue BMW convertible. There’s no other car like it in Etowah County.”
Connor’s heart sank. Elena had wanted to drop off some paperwork at his house prior to a counseling session, and he’d insisted on a public meeting place. He explained the background to Reg.
“Sounds reasonable and innocent to me.”
“But it could be interpreted differently by someone who’s suspicious. Is this what you were going to tell me on Sunday?”
“No, all I knew then was that the GBI had been brought into the investigation. I’ve asked Andy to keep me in the loop about what he sees and hears.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong, but this is still making me nervous.”
“I know, and I hate to tell you this. Also, the GBI confiscated all the video footage for the field cams in the area where they found Matt. Andy puts out extra cameras this time of year because the deer are moving around so much during the rut.”
“Did Andy check the footage the GBI asked for?”
“Only for the area of the property where Stan found Matt, who didn’t show up in any of the frames. That’s not surprising. The cameras are set up near the feeding zones, not where hunters park for a shot. Andy independently reviewed the footage from a couple of additional cameras in the area and didn’t see anything except hunters he recognized from the company group.”
“That’s good.”
“If it makes you feel any better, he says the investigators asked him and the other employees a ton of questions about the group from Matt’s company: whether there were any arguments, people who didn’t comply with the lodge rules, anything suspicious, stuff like that.”
“‘Lodge rules’?”
“No one is supposed to leave the main building once the sun sets unless accompanied by a guide. It’s a requirement of our insurance policy.”
“Did Andy see or hear anything suspicious?”
“No. Most of his interaction was with me as the host of the event. Both days people not on the guest list showed up. Andy assumed they were part of the group but didn’t know for sure.”
“What sort of people?”
“Employees of the company who weren’t registered as guests at the lodge or on the list to hunt. There was a lot of coming and going.”
* * *
Liz put the finishing touches on a letter she was going to email to Winston Boone. In the letter, she requested that no corporate action be taken that might impact Elena’s rights in the company as Matt’s wife and the beneficiary of his residuary estate. She enclosed a copy of the will, which she hoped was still valid. In an attachment to the email, she asked for copies of various financial records and corporate minutes to be delivered within thirty days. An informal request wouldn’t have the same power as formal discovery sent in a lawsuit, but Harold assured her that the company’s attorneys would be careful in the way they responded because an obvious omission now might come to light later and make the company look bad. It was a strong move so close in time to Matt’s death, but Elena was pleased when Liz told her what she was going to do. Thirty minutes after sending the letter to the company, Becky buzzed her.
“A man named Winston Boone is on the phone for you. Says he works with Daughbert Technology.”
“Is Harold in his office? I’d like him to be on this call.”
“He left ten minutes ago. Should I take a number?”
Liz hesitated. She preferred that Harold be involved in a conversation with Boone but knew her boss would want her to find out what she could.
“I’ll take it.”
Liz sat up straighter in her chair. “This is Elizabeth Acosta,” she said.
“Winston Boone. You’re being a bit aggressive, aren’t you?”
Liz silently told herself to relax. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she said.
“My longtime friend and business partner isn’t even buried, and you’re firing off demands for thousands of pages of documents and financial records. Is this what Elena asked you to do?”
“We’re simply being proactive,” Liz replied, trying to sound professional. “And I realize it will take time to provide the information requested.”
“Does being proactive include Elena communicating directly with my former administrative assistant?”
Liz froze for a moment. Elena’s actions had cost a woman her job.
“Are you still there?” Boone asked.
“Yes.”
“I left Elena two voice messages offering my deepest sympathy over Matt’s death, which hit all of us hard too. When she didn’t call back, I assumed she was grieving and intended on extending my condolences at the funeral on Wednesday. Now I know she had other things on her mind. Will I be able to speak to her at the funeral or is all communication between us going to be via your law firm?”
“I’m sure Elena will want to talk with you.”
“If she does, I won’t let her know how much her actions have hurt me and the rest of the management team. You can be the one to pass along that piece of information. And when you do, make sure Elena understands that if she wants our cooperation resolving Matt’s business affairs, she’d better adopt a different approach. Is that clear?”
“Yes,” Liz said in a voice that she hoped didn’t tremble.
The phone call ended. The businessman’s words had flowed through the phone line like liquid fire. Liz tried to calm down as she typed a memo for Harold about the conversation. She hoped she wouldn’t encounter Winston Boone at the funeral.
* * *
Connor paced back and forth in his office as he waited for Elena and Anne to arrive. Michelle opened the door.
“Anne Thompson and her daughters are here. I put them in the senior adult classroom. The ushers know to take Elena there when she arrives.”
“Okay.”
“There are already people in the sanctuary. I peeked and recognized only a few.”
“Most likely they’re from Matt’s company.”
Connor made his way down the hallway. Entering the classroom, he saw Matt’s daughters and struggled to retain his composure. Abigail, the younger daughter, was a mini version of her father. Mariah, the older child, looked more like her mother. Anne was wearing a black dress. Both girls wore gray skirts with white shirts that reminded Connor of school uniforms.
Anne spoke. “Reverend Grantham, this is Mariah and Abigail.”
The girls were serious and sad.
“I’m so sorry,” Connor said to them. “I know your father loved you deeply, and I want this service to honor him.”
The girls didn’t respond.
“Thank you,” Anne said.
Everyone sat on brown plastic chairs. Connor briefly went over in his mind what would take place. He avoided looking at Abigail. Mariah was only a year younger than he’d been when his mother died. Being in the classroom at that moment was the most difficult thing Connor had faced in ministry. He wanted to grieve, too, but his job required him to give comfort and conduct a memorial service. The door to the classroom opened, and Elena, wearing a navy-blue dress, entered. With her was a tall woman in a long brown dress. Elena and Anne exchanged a quick look but didn’t speak. Connor extended his hand to the woman with Elena and introduced himself.
“I’m Tracy Kilgore,” the woman replied. “Elena’s sister.”
“Could we speak with you in private?” Elena asked.
“Sure,” Connor answered, then turned to Anne. “An usher will come in shortly and escort you to your seats.”
Connor led Elena and her sister to his office. Elena was twisting a tissue in her hands.
“What did you want to talk about?” he asked.
“Nothing in particular,” Elena replied in a subdued voice. “I just didn’t want to be in the room with Anne. It’s too stressful. Also, people from Matt’s company are already here. Should I greet them now?”
“Not until after the service. Everything is set up for a reception in the fellowship hall.”
“Are you sure we should do that?”
“We agreed to it, especially without visiting hours at the funeral home.”
“Let Reverend Grantham guide you,” Tracy said.
“Time for me to go,” he said. “Stay here. As I told Anne and the girls, I’ll have an usher escort you to your place on a pew.”
“Not next to Anne, correct?”
“The front pew is long enough to provide a buffer.”
“I’ll sit between you and Anne,” Tracy volunteered.
Connor took out his phone and sent a text to the lead usher to have someone come to the classroom and his office. He then took a detour down the hall into the choir practice room to be alone for a few moments. He scrolled through his notes on the tablet. This time, he wasn’t going to trust himself to speak off the cuff.
* * *
Liz found Connor’s eulogy less personal and more theoretical than his sermon the previous Sunday. But she didn’t internally criticize him. He had a difficult task. When he finished and everyone stood, Liz considered skipping the funeral reception because she didn’t want to encounter Winston Boone. But then she remembered a phrase from her grandmother that counseled the only way to overcome cowardice is to face fear. She headed toward the fellowship hall. Waiting in line, she found herself next to Bev and Sam.
“That was a beautiful message, wasn’t it?” Bev said, clutching a tissue in her hand. “When he said, ‘Every life is full of untapped potential,’ Connor was looking straight at Matt’s precious daughters.”
“I liked it when he challenged all of us ‘to see beyond the ordinary into the possibilities planned for us by an infinite God,’” Sam said. “I mean, who says stuff like that?”
Bev touched her husband on the arm. “Honey, you remembered that perfectly. I’m going to cross-stitch that saying and put it up in the den.”
In the fellowship hall, Elena was standing in one corner of the room. Anne and her daughters were in another corner.
“I’m going to say something to Elena and get out of here,” Liz said to Bev.
As she made her way across the room, she recognized Winston Boone from the Daughbert Technology website. He was of medium height and build with dark hair and black glasses. He looked a bit older than Matt. Liz veered to the right to steer clear of him.
“Ms. Acosta?” a male voice close to her asked.
Liz stopped and turned to face a tall, slender man who looked to be around thirty-five years old with sandy-colored hair and a matching goatee that seemed out of place on his face.
“Yes,” she replied.
“I’m Neil Peterson. I worked with Matt.”
Liz hoped she wasn’t going to get chewed out again. The man extended his hand, and she shook it.
“I provide technical support for the marketing team and track sales figures.”
“How do you know who I am?” Liz asked.
“I received a copy of the memo you sent to the company. Some of the information you asked for will come from my department.”
“There’s no rush,” Liz said. “And I hope it wasn’t—”
“I was in Winston’s office when he called you earlier this week.”
“Oh.”
“I want to apologize for the way he spoke to you. It makes sense that an attorney should look out for Elena’s interests. Matt would have felt the same way.”
“I appreciate you saying that.”
“Feel free to call me directly if you have any questions. I want to make sure we have an open flow of communication. My contact information is on the company website.”
“Thanks.”
Peterson moved on. Liz made her way closer to Elena, who was surrounded by people. It took several minutes for a space to open. As soon as Elena saw Liz, she stepped forward and gave her a hug.
“Thanks for coming,” Elena said. “It means so much having your support.”
“You’re welcome.”
Elena lowered her voice. “I’d like to meet with you tomorrow. Send me a text about the best time.”
“At the office?”
“Yes, my sister will still be staying with me, and I don’t want her involved in my business affairs.”
“Okay.”
Glancing over her shoulder, Liz saw Winston Boone. She stepped aside as he approached Elena and positioned herself to see how the two of them interacted. When Boone leaned over and spoke to Elena nothing in his face indicated that he was saying anything negative. Liz moved farther away. A familiar voice caused her to turn around.
“What did you think of the service?” Connor asked.
Liz repeated what she’d heard from Bev and Sam. Connor seemed relieved.
“Everything about this is tragic,” he said. “Seeing Matt’s daughters was the toughest part yet. At one point, I had trouble keeping my emotions in check.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d shed a tear or two. You’re human.”
Connor smiled slightly. “Becoming more human is one of my life goals.”
“Keep working on it, and I believe you’ll get there.”
Connor glanced past Liz’s right shoulder. “There’s Reg Bullock. He gave me an update on the GBI investigation into Matt’s death.”
“The GBI?”
“You don’t know about that?”
“No. Why were they called in?”
“Not here, not now,” said Connor, glancing around.
“Could we meet for coffee in the morning? Elena wants to come to the office later in the day, and it would be helpful to give her an update.”
“Where?”
“Seven at the Sunnyside Coffee Shop.”
“Okay.”
As she left the room, Liz saw Winston Boone talking to Neil Peterson. The younger man was nodding his head in agreement at what was being said.
Chapter 16
Connor woke up earlier than normal. Still groggy, he rolled over in bed to grab another forty-five minutes of sleep before his breakfast meeting with Liz. But when he closed his eyes, he knew additional rest wasn’t going to happen. Too much turmoil had invaded his tranquil life in the mountains. When he arrived at the coffee shop, Liz was sitting at a table for two with a tall cup of coffee in front of her. She smiled when she saw him.
“Hope it’s okay that I went ahead,” she said. “I was in the mood for a café Cubano. I couldn’t believe it when the barista knew what I was talking about.”
“It’s sweet, right?”
“Yes, the first drops of espresso are mixed with brown sugar and then added to the rest of the coffee. Have you ever tried one?”
“No.”
“You look like you could use a jolt of something,” she said.
“I’ll stick with the familiar. Do you want a pastry?”
“Surprise me.”
