Chapter Twenty-One

“My source tells me the lawyer is the problem.”

The little roach couldn’t seem to control his shaking voice. That thought brought a bit of pleasure to this farce of a meeting.

“Does your source have a suggestion?”

“They say if Finn Callahan is out of the way, Beverly would be more amenable to sharing the wealth, so to speak.” He twisted the ring on his finger in a nervous ritual. “They think Callahan is keeping her on the straight and narrow,”

“That won’t do. We need her off kilter. If we believe your source, this arrangement ends in a year. I don’t want to wait long. I’ve tried to do this your way, but I’m losing my patience.”

“We can’t kill her. The money would go to the mother.”

“I don’t want to kill anyone if I can help it. I enjoy the added benefit of making Beverly suffer, though. If all goes according to my plan, we will find a way to make the transfer of monies neat and tidy. We need more information on the non-disclosed portion of the will so we can find a way to entrap her.”

“I’m working on it,” the roach whined. “My source, who is driven solely by cash, doles out information as he sees fit.”

“Keeping your source’s identity a secret won’t save you if this goes badly.” The threat hung for a moment. “For now, pay your source what they want, but get the information we need.”

“What are you going to do about the lawyer?” The little bug swallowed hard. “You aren’t going to kill him, are you?”

“Your weakness astounds me. You want the money but are not willing to make the necessary sacrifices.”

“I thought we were trying for neat?”

“For now, we stay on task. I’ll send her a little message with the suggestion she find new counsel. It will solve two issues. One, the bitch will be looking over her shoulder and not focused on her job. If she fails at Winslow Holdings, it only serves our purposes. She might want to surrender. She’d be motivated to find a way to get out of the will. We will be there to help her find a way.”

“What’s the second issue?”

“With Finn Callahan out of the picture, we can practically handpick her next attorney. One who will be made to see it’s in his or her best interest to work for our interests.” The sick laughter rang out again.

“What if your message doesn’t work?”

“If she doesn’t get this message, I’m more than ready with another. But don’t worry about it. I don’t intend to be subtle.”

****

Joe closed the door to the modular building that now housed the Atlantic Charters offices. He scratched his head with one hand and fished for the keys in his worn jeans pockets with the other. The wind was up, and the ache in his old bones told him showers were headed their way.

His Bevie was off doing what she had to do, so he was doing what could to help. If she were here, she’d be worrying enough about the weather for both of them. Joe liked he eased some of her burden. She was at that fancy party tonight. Her mother driving up to Maine to see her. He was a bachelor for the evening, and he was glad of it. He liked being useful, but he wasn’t into parties.

Still, the office work was a bitch. He’d be glad when the intern started, and he could get back on the water—bad weather or not. Didn’t much matter, he thought as he locked the door. The weather wouldn’t affect business. They weren’t officially open for another month. Pre-season they called it.

Cold, wet tourists looking for humpback or pilot whales, not realizing the temperature drops twenty degrees between shore and open ocean. Even when you tell ’em, they don’t listen, Joe shook his head.

He limped along the narrow walkway through the marina. His nose told him Murphy’s Publick House was serving the fresh catch, and Joe intended to settle himself at the bar with a beer and enjoy it.

The sun had almost completely set, casting the marina in shadows. Two figures moved from the main sidewalk toward him. Probably lost. As the two forms emerged from the darkness, a pinprick of fear rattled in his gut. They were mean-looking bastards, but that didn’t mean nothing to Joe. People looked one way and could act another. They were big, muscular, and stupid looking. Probably trying to find work. He decided to get their measure.

“Help you, fellas?” Joe asked and took his time reaching in his pocket for his keys. He let each key squeeze between his fingers. He might not need it, but the keys would make a nice weapon. Joe landed in his share of fistfights in his time. Fighting dirty didn’t bother him.

Finally, the bigger one answered. “Yeah, we’re looking for the guy who runs Atlantic Charters.”

“You found him. I’m Joe. You two need work?”

The shorter guy snorted out a laugh. “Nah, we already got a job.” He paused. “We got a message for the lady who owns the place.”

“What’s that?” Joe asked.

“You can tell her if you wake up.”

Joe didn’t see the blow coming but felt the searing pain explode in his temple, knocking him to his knees. He tried to shake his head clear and pull himself up. That’s when he noticed the shorter one carried a baseball bat. He swung it playfully, barely missing Joe, taunting him.

“Don’t worry, old man, we aren’t supposed to kill you, but this is gonna hurt. Bad.” Joe felt fury well up from his gut as he tried to get purchase on his keys again. He wasn’t going down without a fight.

It’s the last thought he had.

****

Beverly glided down the stone stairs. Stunning. Finn appreciated how the shimmery column of the silver dress fit her curves, how her auburn hair swept back and framed her lovely face. Jesus, he was practically panting.

As her attorney, he didn’t need to be at the charity ball three hours from home on a Saturday night. As Finn Callahan, attorney at law, accepting invitations to events like this one was required. Plus it was a great cause, and he enjoyed a party. And what a party it was.

The band played standards under soft twinkle lights beneath a gauzy, white tent. The black-and-white dance floor was as busy as the food stations. The spring air blew a welcome breeze, so his tux didn’t suffocate him. He eavesdropped on other guests to hear the feedback. She was killing it. She was also killing him. He wanted her desperately.

At the precise moment he decided to chuck it all and sweep her inside her home and make love to her, his sister Kate sidled up to him.

“Hey, Kate, I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“I’m always at this one. It’s a great cause.” Kate gestured in Beverly’s direction. “She’s holding court like she was born to it. Were it not for the fact she is so nice and straightforward, I’d be jealous of the way that dress fits her.”

He was jealous of the dress itself. He’d like to be that close to the woman inside it.

“What’s eating you tonight?” she asked.

“Nothing. Why?” He leveled his voice. He wasn’t discussing his love life with his little sister.

“You like her, don’t you?”

He stepped back. “I’m not doing this with you,”

“You don’t need to do or say anything, big brother. I know all. You and your client are attracted to each other. Why aren’t you dancing with her?”

“I’m her lawyer.”

“So?”

“It isn’t appropriate.”

Kate slapped a hand on one hip. “Since when are you such a tight ass?”

He noted the white dress with lace sleeves. His sister’s sandy-brown hair, almost identical to the color of his own hair, fell in loose waves around her shoulders. “You look beautiful, Katie.”

“I know. Don’t change the subject.”

He threw an arm around his sister. “OK. I’m being a tight ass because she deserves the best. And I can’t dance with her and be the best attorney.”

“Bull.”

He tried to end the discussion. “Look, I’ll ask her to dance. Okay?”

“Dancing is a metaphor here. You can figure something out. She’s worth it.”

“I’m working on it, Katie.”

“Work harder. I like her.”

“I like her, too.”

Kate twisted fully into his arms, gave him one of her signature hugs. “I knew it.” she giggled. “Have some fun, Mr. Attorney. Life’s short.”

His sister was right. He scanned the room. Beverly was speaking to John and Serena. He made his way through the crowd. He didn’t want anything unpleasant to touch her tonight. It looked like he had a bit of lawyering to do after all.

“Hello, Beverly.” He inclined his head to the others. “John, Serena, how are you this evening?”

Serena’s face pinched, but her fake smile was in place. “Let’s just get the picture taken and then we can leave, John.”

Ignoring her, John extended his hand to Finn. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. Bev was just telling us her plans to redo the apartment and offices downtown.”

A hint of annoyance lit his eyes before he smiled. Finn wondered who had annoyed the man. “I hadn’t heard. I bet that’ll be quite a project.” They were all being rude, ignoring Serena, but the woman wasn’t even trying.

Bev reached for his hand to shake. “It’s nice to see you again. And, yes, I decided this week to make some changes. It will help me be more effective and efficient. It isn’t as big as it seems, though. I’m having Reginald’s things put in storage so Auntie Serena and my mother can sort through them.”

He couldn’t stop the grin as Serena gasped. His client knew exactly what she was doing. Giving Serena a project like this was a genius idea.

“I didn’t realize you’d want me involved.” Serena’s knuckles whitened on her black clutch.

“I believe in employing experts, Auntie.” Beverly took a glass of champagne from a waiting server. “You would know best how to sort Reginald’s things.” She toasted the air with her glass. “It is an effort to try to move on.”

Serena’s mouth finally closed. Her hand shook as she reached for her glass. “Thank you. What’s been done so far?”

“My mother is conducting an inventory of everything, and Ms. Garrett is assisting. Her expertise has been invaluable.”

John cleared his throat. “Thank you. I’m sure you need to mingle. Serena and I wish you the best with the renovations.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just some paint and new furniture.” Beverly lifted her shoulder. “I needed a desk that didn’t threaten to swallow me whole.” The group laughed, and she gestured to a waiting photographer. “How about we get to that picture now?”

Finn stepped back as Beverly, Serena, and John smiled for the camera. Mission accomplished. When Serena and John took their leave, he couldn’t resist any longer. Striding toward her before someone interrupted, he took her hand in his own.

“That was very smooth. Now, how about a dance, Ms. Winslow?”