Both shook their heads.
“Which means Cheryl’s given us nothing.”
Baronick hiked an eyebrow. “Unless she’s right.”
Unless she was right. The thought roared inside Pete’s head. He knew he could shoot holes in Cheryl’s story. But was he doing it because he believed she was mistaken? Or because he didn’t want to admit he’d helped put an innocent man behind bars?
Sixteen
Zoe’s plan to drive to Vance Township and talk to Pete was thwarted by a vehicular homicide on the opposite side of the county. She hadn’t made it back to her office in Brunswick when another call sent her to a crumbling apartment building downtown where a decomposing body had been found. From all appearances, an elderly man had expired alone in his bed, only to be discovered by police when other residents complained of the smell. An autopsy would confirm or refute her initial assessment.
She and Doc were going to be busy.
It was almost three o’clock by the time she made it back to Franklin’s office to find Paulette waiting at the door, clutching a legal document. From the expression on the secretary’s round face, Zoe braced for more bad news.
“I found the deed.”
Zoe made a looping gesture with one finger, indicating their surroundings. “For the funeral home?”
“Yes. And that creature was right. Her name’s on it.”
“Loretta?”
“What other creature’s been around here laying claim to Franklin’s estate?”
Under different circumstances, Zoe would’ve laughed, but Paulette was deadly serious. Zoe extended a hand, and Paulette gave her the document. Scanning through the legal jargon, Zoe headed into Franklin’s office with the secretary on her heels. “This is dated sixteen years ago.”
“That’s when Franklin’s father signed over the business. Old Ben died a few weeks afterwards.”
“And Franklin and Loretta were still married at the time?”
“As I understand, they divorced a couple of years later.”
Zoe lifted her gaze from the papers to look at Paulette. “The property wasn’t divvied up in the divorce settlement?”
“I don’t know. This was the only legal document I found in Franklin’s files. And, believe me, I spent all day searching.”
From upstairs, the sound of pounding filtered down to them.
“What on earth?” Paulette scowled. “I locked the front door and posted a sign stating we’re closed until further notice.”
Zoe heard Franklin’s voice inside her head. “Someone’s dying to get in.” The old, overused joke had always brought a smile to her face. Now it threatened to bring tears.
The pounding grew more insistent. “You’d better go see who that is,” Zoe said. She continued to read through the document as Paulette tromped up the stairs. The wording was standard stuff. The estate of Benjamin Marshall deeded ownership of the property and structure to Franklin and Loretta Marshall. All the proper signatures were in place, including that of the notary. Zoe thumbed the raised seal.
From upstairs, the now familiar and dreaded sound of Loretta’s raised voice carried down along with the clomp, clomp, clomp of her shoes on the stair treads.
“Crap.” Zoe darted around the desk and stuffed the deed into the center drawer, slamming it shut as the widow appeared in the office doorway.
Loretta’s dark eyes took in the room and settled on Zoe. “Why are you still here?”
She opened her mouth, but Loretta gave her no chance to reply.
“I told you I wanted you out. At the very least, I expected you to have your coroner stuff packed and ready to go.”
If Loretta truly was the funeral home’s owner now, Zoe wanted nothing to do with maintaining Franklin’s old office. If Loretta didn’t have a legal claim on the property, it would take time to sort through the red tape. And Zoe didn’t need the distractions of Loretta’s constant hounding. “I had a meeting with the DA and two homicides to investigate.”
“I. Don’t. Care. I want you out.” Loretta wheeled on Paulette, whose eyes widened as if facing the Grim Reaper himself. “And you. You’re fired.” She fluttered a hand. “Tell whoever Frank’s been using as the mortician that he’s fired as well.”
Paulette blanched. “What?”
“Do I need to spell it out for you? Effective immediately.” Loretta aimed a thumb toward the ceiling. “Clear your personal belongings and get out. I want you off the premises within the hour.” She came back to address Zoe. “I’ll use her office until you’re gone. Which better be within twenty-four hours or I’ll have the sheriff remove you.”
Zoe wanted to say, “I’d like to see you try,” but she also realized, if Loretta was going to be right upstairs, this office was the last place she wanted to be.
Loretta wasn’t done with her orders. “I want Frank’s body released to Hulton’s Funeral Home immediately.”
“Hulton’s?” Paulette said, her voice squeaking. “He would never want his prime competitor to handle his service.”
“Well, I can’t have his funeral here. Marshall’s Funeral Home is closed for business until further notice.”
Paulette covered her mouth with her hand, a glisten of tears rimming her eyes. Zoe gave her what she hoped was a soothing look before facing the widow. “I’ll be out by morning. On one condition.”
The not-so-grieving widow’s jaw clenched. Clearly this woman was not used to having conditions set. “Which is?”
Zoe nodded at Paulette. “She gets to stay and help me pack.”
“That will be acceptable. But I want her out of the upstairs office now. I’ll be working up there all night.”
Zoe shot a questioning look at the flustered secretary, who gave a quick nod of agreement.
“Fine,” Zoe said. Although at that moment, she couldn’t imagine things ever being “fine” again.
Loretta vacated the building, presumably to have dinner, while Paulette packed her personal effects. Zoe made a phone call to Pete to let him know she’d be late. Very late. He gave her a brief recap of his day, although she had a feeling he was leaving out a lot.
He’d heard about her meeting with Frattini.
