celebrating.
“You’ll have an e-mail verification in twenty-four hours,” Nancie said. “I’ll forward it.”
“Congratulations, Reverend,” Phil said, and kissed her cheek.
“May I speak to my partner in private, please?” Helen asked.
“Use the conference room next door,” Nancie said.
Helen dragged Phil into the room, yanked two tall gold-upholstered chairs away from the oak table and said, “Sit.”
Phil sat. He looked puzzled. Helen sat across from her husband.
“Did I say something wrong?” Phil asked.
“Yes,” Helen said. “Don’t ever volunteer me for something again without asking. I’m your partner in our agency. You trapped me into that farce of an ordination.”
“I didn’t think you’d care,” Phil said.
“You could have asked,” Helen said. “And for the record, I do care. Being a minister is a serious business, even to someone like me.”
“I’m sorry,” Phil said. “I thought it was part of going undercover. I’m working as a fake estate manager for Blossom and you’ll guard Mr. Zerling as a minister. Your ordination gives your cover authenticity.”
“Point taken,” Helen said.
“Something else is wrong,” Phil said. “What is it?”
Helen stared down the long expanse of polished oak and tried to find the right words. She wondered if the frugal Nancie had bought the overgrown dining set with the stiff, gold-plush cushions secondhand and recycled it for her conference room. Its ornate style was so different from the lawyer’s own practical office.
Phil interrupted her thoughts. “Helen, we left Nancie and Violet waiting on us. What else is wrong?”
“I don’t like this,” Helen said.
“This what? This case? This client? Do you think Violet is lying?”
“No, I think she’s telling the truth,” Helen said. “As she sees it. I also think she has a knack for making trouble for herself. She insulted her father’s bride before she even met the woman.”
“When a much younger woman marries a very old man, the main attraction is usually his money,” Phil said.
“I know that,” Helen said. “But not always. Sometimes a woman is attracted to qualities that transcend age—a man’s vitality and creativity. Violet never bothered finding out. She branded Blossom a gold digger and treated her father as a randy old fool. I suspect if she’d been a little nicer to those ICU nurses, they might have let Violet see her father.”
“The hospital has rules,” Phil said. “Blossom left those instructions, and the nurses have to follow them.”
“A busy nurse could look the other way if Violet wanted to visit her father,” Helen said. “They could convince themselves they were being compassionate. But none of them did. I’m betting Violet has ticked them off, too.”
“It’s true she won’t even say Blossom’s name,” Phil said. “She radiates anger.”
“I’d be angry, too, if I thought someone was killing my father,” Helen said. “But I’d try to control my feelings better.”
“Really?” Phil said. “I seem to remember that you attacked your first husband’s Land Cruiser with a crowbar, Ms. Cool.”
“I surprised Rob while he was having sex with our next-door neighbor,” Helen said. “That was different.”
“If you say so,” Phil said. “Dying in the saddle is a good way to go. At least old Arthur will die happy.”
“And before his time, if Violet is right,” Helen said. “Do you think Blossom poisoned him?”
“Can’t tell,” Phil said. “Blossom’s sudden urge to cook sounds strange. And she might have a lover. We’re certainly not getting the full picture from the daughter, and the housekeeper messed things up further. At least we work for an ethical lawyer. Nancie won’t treat Violet like a cash cow, milking the woman until her money runs dry. She must think Violet has some credibility or she wouldn’t have called us.
“Let’s take the case and investigate further,” he said. “You can check out Blossom when you’re at the hospital and get a feel for what she’s like. I’ll find out more about her if I get the job as estate manager. I’ll also do a background check on her.”
“I can interview the housekeeper,” Helen said. “Maybe she saw something useful.”
“It’s pretty clear she never saw exotic spices before,” Phil said. “I’ll tail Blossom and find out if she’s meeting a boyfriend.” He held up his right hand. “And I solemnly swear I’ll consult you first on all major decisions for our agency.”
“Deal,” Helen said, and kissed Phil.
“Are you going to wear a Roman collar to the hospital, Your Holiness?” Phil asked. “That would look hot.”
“That’s overdoing it,” Helen said. “I’ll go ahead with this investigation and see if we turn up anything. I don’t want to be mercenary, but Violet is willing to pay.”
“We’re supposed to be mercenary,” Phil said. “We’re running a business. Violet is racking up more billable hours in Nancie’s office while we talk.”
“Then let’s rejoin them,” Helen said.
As she entered Nancie’s doorway, she heard the lawyer say, “Yes, they are new, Violet. They’ve been in business only a few months. But Phil was a private investigator with a multinational agency for many years. I have absolute confidence in Coronado Investigations. I’ve worked with them before and—hi, Phil and Helen. I was telling Violet about your qualifications. I hope you’re taking her case.”
“We’re ready to start,” Helen said. “When do you want me at the hospital?”
“Five o’clock tomorrow,” Violet said. Her tears had dried, but her face was still red and blotchy. “Some of Daddy’s friends are keeping watch for me in shifts. I told them I’d have someone in place by tomorrow evening.”
“I could start sooner,” Helen said.
“No, they love Daddy and they”—her voice wobbled—“want a chance to say good-bye.”
“Do they think Blossom poisoned your father?” Helen asked.
“They’re staying neutral,” Violet said. “They want to sit with their old friend and they don’t believe he’ll recover.” She rushed through that sentence before her voice broke. “Bob, one of Daddy’s partners, has the last shift tonight. Will you wear a Roman collar?”
“I discussed that with Phil,” Helen said. “It’s best to keep it simple. I’ll wear a plain gray suit, black pumps and a small silver cross. I can carry my mother’s Bible.”
“Helen, what will you do if that woman tries to hurt my father?” Violet asked.
“I’ll ask her firmly and loudly what she’s doing,” Helen said. “I’ll yell if I have to. We’ll be in the ICU. There will be staff all around. I’m not afraid of some little blond trophy.”
“She’s not blond,” Violet said. “She’s a brunette with rather extravagant hair. That woman is definitely not little. She’s nearly your height—about five feet ten—and she does yoga and Pilates. I think she’s too thin, but Daddy calls her willowy. I doubt she’ll cause you any trouble, Helen. Sneaking up on a sick, helpless man is more her style.”
“I’d like to talk to the housekeeper as soon as possible,” Helen said. “How do I reach her?”
“Fran is moving into a condo in Coconut Creek,” Violet said. “I’ll call her now.”
Violet found her cell phone and speed-dialed a number. “Hello, Fran, it’s me. I’ve hired a detective for Daddy… . Would you be willing to talk to her today? Good. Her name is Helen Hawthorne… . I’m sure she understands.”
Violet punched END and said, “She’ll see you at four o’clock, but she says her condo is still a mess.” She smiled. “Fran has her professional pride.” She wrote on a small pad and said, “This is her address and cell phone number. Then you’ll report to the hospital tomorrow and stay with Daddy until he’s well enough to come home.”
“Violet,” Nancie said, drawing out her name. “Remember what I said. You realize there are extra charges if Helen is on duty more than twelve hours at a time in your father’s room?”
“I told you I don’t care about money,” Violet said. “I want to save Daddy.” Her voice cracked into sobs. Helen
