Page 42 of Murder on the Page

“Your sister is innocent,” Zach said matter-of-factly. “All of you may proceed with the business at hand. If you have any further clues as to who might have killed your aunt, don’t hesitate to contact me. We appreciate all tips.” He turned to leave.

“Detective, do you have suspects?” Noeline asked, her voice plaintive.

“Ma’am, we’ll keep our findings to ourselves, but rest assured, we’re doing all we can.”

“Zach,” I began, hoping to pull him aside and ask about the water bottle theory.

“Not now, Allie,” he said. I must have flinched at his curtness, because he said, “Sorry, but I’ve got to go.”

When he closed the door, Tegan and I took our seats, and Tannenbaum resumed, declaring that most of Marigold’s jewelry went to Vanna and Tegan.

“Most?” Vanna asked.

“Most,” Tannenbaum said with no inflection. “I’ll read whatMarigold wrote. ‘Noeline, if I do not outlive you, as well I shall not, I know you are well-off and do not need my money or personal items to sustain you. Therefore, in remembrance, I give you my treasured Georgian-style trembling floral brooch. You have always admired it.’ ”

Noeline moaned and pressed a hand to her chest.

Tannenbaum continued, “‘Wear it well and often. And know that I will love you forever.’ ”

Noeline sucked back a sob.

“There are a few more items to contend with,” the lawyer went on. Humming, he flipped a page. “Regarding the cash on hand and in savings—”

“Mr. Tannenbaum,” Vanna cut in. “I want to know what happens to the bookshop.”

He cleared his throat. “Fine. We’ll divert to there.” He turned over a few more pages. “As you know, Noeline, your sister owned three-quarters of the bookshop, with you owning the final quarter.”

“Yes.”

“Your portion remains untouched, per your contract. However, as to her three-quarters ownership, half the bookshop will go to Tegan, and—”

“I told you!” Vanna cried.

Tannenbaum held up a hand. “I quote, ‘My niece Tegan is the reader in the family. She will cherish and foster the bookshop and its customers, thus giving my sister, Noeline, freedom to pursue her own dreams.’ ”

“I read!” Vanna said.

“Cookbooks,” Tegan taunted.

Vanna jumped to her feet. “Why, you—”

“Sit!” Noeline ordered. “Girls, listen through the entire presentation, please. Vanna, your aunt has left you a very wealthy young woman, and you will be happy with whatever she doled out to you. She could’ve disinherited you, but she didn’t.”

“She wouldn’t have.”

“She had a mind to. Your acerbic ways were never to her liking. I begged her to be kind.”

“Are you . . .kidding?” Vanna sputtered, her eyes wide.

Tannenbaum continued where he’d left off. “Half of the bookshop’s ownership will go to Tegan, and the remaining quarter—”

“Will go to me,” Vanna stated.

“No.” The attorney eyed me. “Ms. Catt, I’m glad you’re here, because the final quarter will go to you.”

“Me?” I squawked. “But I never . . . Marigold needn’t . . .” I felt my pulse racing. “I didn’t ask for anything.”

“She’ll own the same percentage as our mother?” Vanna squealed. “That’s insane.”

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