“No, I’m fine, thanks,” the attorney said, producing a stained handkerchief and dabbing at his clothes. He eventually managed a sip of the coffee.
“Boris, you do know I’m not family?”
“Of course.”
“Wouldn’t you rather see the Vogel daughters?”
Boris tucked the handkerchief away. “I’d rather not, actually. I’m here to see you.”
Gage was confused. “Do you need a statement, or something like that, since I was there last night at the time of her death?”
“No, the death certificate from the hospital will satisfy the German courts.” Boris again sipped the coffee, remarking that it was a bit strong. Then he sat back and straightened his bowtie. “I’m here to discuss Frau Vogel’s wishes with you.”
Gage nestled back into the sofa with his coffee and said nothing. He really didn’t want to hear more about Claudia cutting her daughters out of the will, but that was the only thing he could think of that matched with what Boris was saying.
After removing a sheaf of papers from his briefcase, the attorney produced a battered iPhone and what looked like a tabletop tripod.
“I spoke with Frau Vogel last week, and then in person yesterday.” He tapped the papers. “She signed these instructions at that time.”
“Yesterday?”
“Indeed.”
“Here?”
“Yes. You were out of town.”
Gage recalled what Thomas and the nurse had told him about attorneys being here. “Go on.”
Boris reverently sandwiched the papers between his hands. “Would you prefer to read, or shall I summarize the content of this addendum?”
“Please summarize. I don’t care for legaleze.”
“Do you mind if I film this?” Boris asked.
“Why?”
“I need proof that I relayed this to you. I need more than just a signature since we have no witnesses. The timestamp on the video, which is verified by the wireless carrier, is now sufficient under German law.” He opened the small tripod. “Additionally, when dealing with an estate of this magnitude, every shred of video or recorded evidence helps.”
“I’m just a paid consultant. I’m not family. I’m not even what most people would consider a close friend. Look, Boris, I’m sad about Claudia’s death, but I justify it in my mind as a life well lived. Like anyone, there were some rough patches along the way, but she lived a good long life.”
“I agree.” Boris again touched the papers. “But, if you’ll be patient, this document has the power to change your current relationship with her estate. Now, may I please video this?”
“Who will see it?”
“No one, unless I need to present it in legal proceedings.”
Gage narrowed his eyes. He lifted his own mobile phone, opened the camera, and began recording a video. “Boris, explain what you’re asking me.”
Once Gage had it all on video, he agreed to be recorded. Boris set up the camera and tested the audio. Finally, when he was ready, he began recording and explained who he was and his relationship to the estate.
Boris then addressed Gage. “You’re Gage Nils Hartline?”
“Yes.”
Boris verified several personal items about Gage. Then Boris gestured to the phone.
“And you know I am recording audio and video?”
“Yes.”
Boris glanced at the phone and muttered a curse word.
“What?” Gage asked.
“I thought it was recording.”
Gage let out an exasperated breath.
Boris touched the record button and they went through the rigmarole once again. He had Gage voice the time and date, and also asked him about Frau Vogel’s death, which Gage summarized. Then, Boris began to synopsize the contents of the document.
“Essentially, Mister Hartline, what this document does is provide for an adjournment in the period of time between now and the final processing of Frau Vogel’s estate. What happens during the adjournment, and the discoveries that are made, shall decide how the estate is divided and to whom the assets are ultimately bequeathed.”
Gage sat forward. “I don’t understand whatever it is you just said.”
“Essentially, Frau Vogel is giving you ninety days from today’s date to determine who killed her husband. If you can prove it wasn’t her daughters, then they will receive their fair portion of her estate.”
Gage didn’t move, didn’t breathe, for a long moment.
“Do you understand?”
Eyes closed, Gage responded as patiently as he could manage. “I told Claudia, many times, that I’m not an investigator. Putting this all on me isn’t wise—and it’s not fair to her daughters.”
Boris stopped the iPhone video camera. “I can’t speak of the wisdom of the decision, but I can assure you she wasn’t concerned about fairness.” He glanced around conspiratorially. “Very little in their family is fair.”
“I’m beginning to understand that. Regardless, Boris, I’m not an investigator.”
“Say that again, but wait a moment.” He tapped the phone, resuming the recording, chronicling for the courts that he’d stopped the video for a short break. He had Gage confirm this.
Then Gage repeated his statement.
“She made a number of provisos that will help you, sir,” Boris said, tapping the paper with an onyx pen. “You have some latitude regarding your not being an investigator. In addition, you will be handsomely compensated by the estate.”
“I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
“Certainly you will, Mister Hartline. In fact, Frau Vogel told me you’ve already begun an informal investigation.”
Gage shut his eyes and pressed on his eyeballs with his fingers.
“Do you accept?” Boris asked.
“So, Frau Vogel desired for me to stay here and attempt to figure out her husband’s killer, when we don’t know for sure that he was even murdered?”
“I’ve reviewed the autopsy results with three forensic pathologists. Of course, the test results were shared blind—the pathologists had no idea of the identity of the deceased—only his age and medical status. All three firmly agreed that Herr Vogel’s potassium chloride levels were far too high. The condition is known as hyperkalemia. He couldn’t have lived at those levels—nor could such
