“Well, they’ve as much as accused Sarah of murdering James for his money.”
“Then I should think she’d have a very good libel suit against the tabloids,” Stone said.
“Quite,” Wainwright replied.
“Tell me,” Stone said, “when James made this sudden decision to have his will take effect immediately, did he in any way intimate that Sarah was aware of this decision?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“And his decision seemed to you to be made on the spur of the moment?”
“Yes.”
“Are you aware that Sarah was unaware of the will until I told her about it this morning?”
Wainwright’s considerable eyebrows shot up. “No, I was not. And, may I ask, how did
“I was told by Sir Bernard Pickering,” Stone replied, watching for a reaction, and he got it.
Wainwright gulped but seemed unable to speak.
“Are you and Sir Bernard acquainted?” Stone asked.
“We are next-door neighbors in the country,” Wainwright replied.
“And when did you convey the intent of the will to Sir Bernard?”
Wainwright was perspiring now. “I was having dinner at his home on Saturday evening, when he got the call from Lord Wight, requesting his services. I thought it my duty to make him aware of the circumstances.”
“For which I’m sure he was grateful,” Stone said. “What is the date on the will?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“And during that time, did you divulge the contents to any other person, apart from Sir Bernard?”
“I did not.”
“To your knowledge, did James Cutler tell anyone else?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Do you believe he might have told Sarah about the will?”
“I suppose it’s possible.”
“How long did you represent James Cutler?”
“More than twenty years; we were at Eton together.”
“Were you good friends?”
“Very good friends.”
“Given your knowledge of your friend and client, do you think it is likely that he would have told Sarah of the contents of the will?”
Wainwright thought for a moment, then shook his head. “No, I do not. James was very closemouthed about that sort of thing.”
“That being the case, can we agree that, since Sarah was unlikely to know the contents of the will, there would be no motive for her to intentionally cause his death?”
“I . . . believe we can,” Wainwright replied.
“Then I think it would be appropriate for you to issue a public statement to that effect.”
Wainwright looked puzzled. “I don’t think I’ve ever issued a public statement about anything.”
“Do you know someone at one of the large newspapers?”
The solicitor brightened. “Why, yes, I was at school with a fellow at the
“Then I think a phone call to him and a brief interview on the subject would suffice, and your friend would be grateful to you for the story.”
“That’s rather a good idea,” Wainwright said, looking pleased.
Stone avoided chuckling. A largish percentage of the law firms in New York would have retained a publicist for such a chore. “Is there anything else that Sarah should know about the will?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“I think she should see a list of James’s assets and liabilities,” Stone pointed out.
“Oh, of course.” He shuffled through the papers on his desk. “I had him prepare a financial statement in conjunction with signing the will.” He handed some papers to Stone. “And a copy of the will for Sarah.”
Stone looked quickly through the documents. “He didn’t have any debt to speak of.”
“None more than thirty days old.”
“And you are the executor?”
“At James’s request.”
“Sir Bernard suggested to me that his holdings might easily be sold to one of the wine and spirits conglomerates.”
“As a matter of fact, James had a rather rich offer from one of them less than three months ago, but he wasn’t inclined to accept it.”
“I very much doubt that Sarah will have any interest in running these businesses. Perhaps after the funeral, you might contact that company and see if they’re still interested.”
“I will certainly do that,” Wainwright replied.
“By the way, what was the offer?”
“Four hundred ninety million pounds sterling.”
Stone did the math. Around three-quarters of a billion dollars. “Did James build this business from scratch?”
“Oh, heavens, no. He was the fourth generation of Cutlers in the business, but he greatly enlarged the business during his tenure.”
“One other thing, Mr. Wainwright: Are there any disaffected siblings or maiden aunts who might challenge this will?”
“None. James was an only child, as was his father before him.”
“Any large charities to whom promises had been previously made?”
“None.”
“Then you see no reason why this will should not be promptly probated?”
“None at all. Tell me, is Sarah currently represented by a solicitor?”
“No, she’s not.” Stone stood up and shook Wainwright’s hand. “Thank you for being so frank with me. I’ll convey what you’ve told me to Sarah, who I’m sure will have some instructions for you, in due course.”
Wainwright looked pleased at the prospect.
Stone left the solicitor’s office and started looking for a cab in
Chapter 17
STONE WAS ON HIS SECOND CUP OF tea in the Connaught’s lounge when Ted Cricket and Bobby Jones appeared, exactly on time. When he had seated them and their tea had been served, he sat back and waited for their report.
