Overnight, a cold front came through creating a rainy, Monday morning. We left the Miata home for Edie’s use. Cyn let me off in front of my Liberty Place skyscraper and then drove to her parking spot at the modeling agency on Rittenhouse Square.
Later in the day, we left work early and drove the SUV straight from Philadelphia to Wilmington for our three o'clock appointment with Andi's attorney. The ride went smoothly under grey clouds and through the silver rain as we were driving in off-peak hours. The law office occupied a two storey row house. I spotted four other law firms in the same row just north of downtown, each within easy walking distance of the city, state and federal court houses. Edie arrived first and we parked curbside behind the Miata. We put money in the meters, and hurried inside.
Walter Hines greeted us warmly into his walnut-paneled office. Hines was in his fifties, with grey hair, a grey suit and a medium build. His office was filled with Penn State University decorations, right down to the stuffed Nittany Lions on his book shelf. I spotted the framed Penn State Political Science BA and Yale Law degrees on one wall. He was a cheerful but serious man and he told us to get comfortable in the navy blue leather chairs.
His legal secretary brought Cyndie and Edie hot tea with a lemon slice and me dark, rich coffee with half and half. Hines had a refill of his black coffee. Hines lit his pipe and the smoke had a pleasant earthy aroma. He didn't ask if we cared and neither Cyndie nor Edie said anything, so I remained silent. I couldn't remember the last business meeting where someone smoked. It was at least ten years earlier.
After casual conversation we gave him an update on our recent travels and events. I explained that, even though the police didn't really have a solid lead on Andi's killer, one possible suspect was ruled out. I briefly described our Rehoboth Beach adventure.
Hines asked, “What are you doing now?”
Cyndie told him we had refocused our efforts on Andi's blackmail case as we thought the blackmail and the murder were connected.
Hines asked, “What will that prove?”
I responded, “Well, besides wanting to know who did this, our goal is to ensure Andi's will is settled in our favor.”
Hines smiled. “You liked the beach house?”
Edie’s answer took me by surprise. “Yes, actually, we did, very much.”
I changed the subject. “Walter, we are not convinced all is as it appears on the surface.”
Hines looked at both of us. “What do you mean?”
Edie answered, “It all worked out so convenient for Robert Grayson. He's able to divorce Andi and save a half million dollars in the process. Plus, we don't know why he didn't bring the police into it or investigate it himself. He knew Andi was vulnerable and we think he set out to destroy her by divorcing her and trying to prove she's at fault.”
“Do you have any proof?”
That was the problem. I admitted, “No, not yet, but I'm going to speak to him tomorrow morning. Then, later in the morning, Edie and I are traveling to Florida Wednesday to meet Red Sable, a friend of Andi and Cyndie, to find out what she knows. She quickly moved from Philadelphia after the blackmailing.”
Hines looked uncomfortable with this news and said, “Why are you meeting with Robert Grayson?”
I answered, “I want to ask him about the blackmail and see if he’ll help us.”
Walter responded, “I don't know if that's a good idea. You have a vested interest in the outcome of this investigation. I'm sure he knows that. Surely, your ex-girlfriend, Eve Simmons, has told him that you're a beneficiary of his estranged wife's will.”
“I understand what you're saying, Walter, but my instincts tell me he's involved.”
Walter puffed his pipe and smiled, slyly. “Okay, say he is. He's not about to tell you anything. As your attorney, I advise against this meeting.”
He was serious. I hadn’t thought that Walter represented us, but he did, and suddenly, I understood he was our attorney.
Cyn spoke up. “Stevie, I see what Walter's saying. Don't do it. I'm sure Eve knows about this and has told Robert to keep quiet.”
I frowned and turned to Walter. “Okay. What do you suggest we do?”
“You told me earlier. I will put Grayson and Eve on notice that we want to execute Andi's will.”
Edie asked, “Will they contest it?”
Walter answered, “I think it's likely, but we have a strong legal position. The beach house was Andi's before the marriage, the prenup agreement excluded the beach house from the marriage property just as Robert's Delaware estate and his Center City office building is excluded from marital assets, and we have Andi's will executed over six months ago.”
I conceded to his logic. “Okay, I'll cancel my meeting.”
We spoke about Andi's remains and Walter agreed to make the arrangements to have Andi's body cremated. We would get Hines a copy of Andi's death certificate.
Hines asked, “So you three are planning to keep the cottage? Will you be joint owners?”
Edie's response surprised me. “Yes, we are. We love it, and can't wait to go back again.”
Our hour visit went quickly and satisfactorily and we left Wilmington at 4:15, just ahead of the Monday night rush hour.