Page 71 of The Murder Club

Within a half an hour she’d finished the bills, cleaned out her refrigerator, and folded the clothes she’d forgotten in the dryer. Then, gathering the trash, she retraced her steps through the living room. She didn’t want to miss the garbageman, who would be by any time. She was grabbing the door handle when Bert and Ernie burst into the room, loudly barking at the window.

Bailey came to an abrupt halt at the sight of the man who was peering through the open curtains, the air squeezing from her lungs. Grabbing the phone from the pocket of her jacket, she was pressing 911 when she belatedly realized she recognized the trespasser.

Ward Bennett. The lawyer dealing with Nellie’s estate.

Cautiously, she pulled open the wooden door, leaving the screen door locked.

“Yes?”

The large man was attired in another suit that was a shade too tight and a tie wrapped around his thick neck. With a practiced smile he moved across the porch to stand directly in front of the screen.

“Sorry. I was just about to knock. I couldn’t tell if you were home or not.”

Bailey narrowed her gaze. It was hard to imagine this man was a threat. He was not only standing on her front porch in broad daylight but he’d parked his black Mercedes directly in front of her house. The entire neighborhood would be gawking out their windows trying to figure out who the car belonged to.

Only an idiot would be that conspicuous if he was there to hurt her.

Then again, he had been peeking in her window. She kept the phone in her hand as she patted Ernie’s head. The dog was leaning protectively against her, growling at the intruder.

“What are you doing here?”

He held up a manila folder he was holding. “I have some paperwork I need you to look over.”

Bailey remained wary. “There was no need to bring it yourself. I could have come to the office.”

“I’m afraid I didn’t have your cell phone number.”

His smooth response reminded Bailey that she still didn’t know how the stalker had gotten her number. It also suggested that Ward Bennett wasn’t the killer.

“Come in.”

She reached to push on the screen door, allowing it to stay open as Warren stepped into the house. Turning to face him, Bailey remained next to the threshold, prepared to run at the least sign of danger. At the same time the dogs moved to stand in front of her. Did they sense her tension? Certainly Ward did. He was eyeing her with a puzzled expression.

“You said you had some paperwork?” she prompted.

“Yes.” He cleared his throat, reverting to lawyer mode. “I suppose you’ve heard that Gage Warren died in an unfortunate accident?”

Bailey’s mouth was suddenly dry. There’d been so many things happening, it was a shock to be reminded that Gage was dead.

“I did.”

“That, of course, changes Nellie Warren’s will since he was the primary beneficiary.”

Bailey felt a sharp flare of relief. It wasn’t that she couldn’t use the money. Or that she didn’t believe Nellie truly wanted her to have it. But everything about the inheritance had been tainted by Gage Warren’s ugly accusations.

“Oh, well, if I’m no longer included, that’s fine,” she assured her companion. “In fact, it’s great.”

“Oh no.” He held up the file, as if she could provide all the answers. “The provision that included your legacy remains the same. Nellie was very specific about that. But now that Gage is . . .” The words faded, as if in grief for Gage’s unexpected death. Bailey hid a grimace, fairly confident that it was an act the lawyer had developed when discussing wills with heartbroken families. “Now that he’s gone, the bulk of the estate will be split between Nellie’s favorite charity and the nursing home.” His practiced smile returned. “You’ll be happy to know that they’ve already agreed that the will can proceed without being contested.”

“Wait.” Bailey didn’t try to disguise her shock. “The nursing home is going to get Nellie’s money?”

He nodded. “Nellie made a provision that if her heir was to die before her, or within a year of her death, his inheritance would revert and be split between Crossroads Food Bank and Pike Nursing Home.”

Bailey tried to process what he was saying. Nellie died. And then Gage. And now the Donaldsons were going to inherit half of a lumberyard and who knew how much in life insurance? Was it connected? Did it have anything to do with her stalker?

She shook her head, realizing that Ward was waiting for her to speak. “Is that unusual?” she blurted out.

“Which part?”

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