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  ‘Excuse me, Mr Bradley,’ interrupted Alexis, jumping to her feet. ‘I invited Miss Curtis here for emotional support. Come sit by me, Jill.’ Alexis patted the chair next to hers.

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Alexis,’ Rose muttered. ‘After the stunt your friend pulled at Rossi’s reception, we should’ve had her arrested.’ The woman’s nostrils flared like an angry bull’s.

  ‘Hiya, Jane,’ Grandpa Parker said merrily. ‘I heard you ate a bad oyster or two yesterday. How ya feeling today?’

  Jill waited until she was seated to reply. ‘I’m fine, sir. Thank you for asking.’

  This time Rose turned her withering glare on her father. ‘Since I doubt you will be named in the will, Dad, I insist that you remain quiet. We don’t need you encouraging the nosy travel writer.’

  ‘That pretty gal is a writer?’ Robert pointed a finger at Jill, looking confused. ‘I thought she worked for the catering staff. She delivered my meatball dinner last night.’

  Kenneth Bradley cleared his throat. ‘If we could get started, I’d like to identify everyone in the room for the audio recording being made by my assistant.’ He bobbed his head at the young woman across the room.

  ‘You’re taping this?’ asked Grandpa Parker. ‘Your daddy never monkeyed around with such nonsense and he practiced law for years.’

  ‘Dad, please,’ Rose pleaded. ‘If you can’t sit quietly I’ll have security remove you until we’re finished.’

  ‘You’ll do no such thing.’ Alexis hurried around the table and wrapped an arm around her grandfather’s shoulder. ‘Please go on, Mr Bradley.’

  After a second clearing of his throat, Bradley continued. ‘We are assembled on the twentieth day of June for the reading of the Last Will and Testament of William Douglas Scott, born and raised in Shephardstown, Kentucky and a resident of Louisville for the past thirty years. I am Kenneth Bradley, Esq., senior partner of Bradley, Cooper and Day, and executor of the estate. With me are Mrs Rose Parker Scott, widow of the deceased; Alexis Scott, daughter and sole child of the deceased; James Thomas Scott, of Shephardstown, Kentucky, brother of the deceased; Father Timothy Webster, parish priest for the family; Miss Jill Curtis, personal friend of Miss Alexis Scott; Mrs Mabel Hawkins, the family’s long-time housekeeper; Wilson Clark, personal chauffer of the deceased; and Miss Trixie Scaggs, my legal assistant.’ The lawyer glanced around the room, making sure he hadn’t missed anyone. ‘If there are no additions or corrections, I shall commence with the reading. As required by law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I will read the document in its entirety.’

  ‘Get on with it already, Bradley,’ mumbled the man identified as James Scott. ‘You ain’t getting paid by the hour this time.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Jimmy,’ Rose sneered. ‘The blackjack tables stay open twenty-four-seven on the riverboats. They’ll wait until you get re-bankrolled.’

  Jimmy Scott tipped his cap to his sister-in-law. ‘I’ve missed you too, Rosie. Maybe we could hit the tables together, just like old times.’

  Jill glanced over at Alexis who was still with her grandfather. They both seemed to be trying not to laugh. What kind of rich family was this? Infidelity between spouses? Open hostility among in-laws? What’s next? Gunplay if the settlement doesn’t go as planned? Suddenly Jill’s own family, including jailbird Granny Emma, seemed downright normal.

  Apparently tired of clearing his throat, Bradley tugged down his cuffs then read the entire document from top to bottom. Unfortunately for everyone in the room, which was growing stuffier by the minute, there was plenty of legalese before the actual disposition of William Scott’s assets and earthly possessions. Finally he got down to what everyone other than Jill was waiting for.

  ‘To St Patrick’s Episcopal Church of Louisville I bequeath the sum of ten thousand dollars to be entrusted to Father Thomas Webster and spent at his discretion within the parish.

  ‘To Mrs Mabel Hawkins, I leave the sum of five thousand dollars along with my collection of watercolor paintings of the Mississippi River that hangs in my study. Mabel always admired those paintings.’

  Upon hearing the bequest to the housekeeper, Mrs Scott turned very pale, leading Jill to assume either Rose really liked the artwork or more likely, they were worth a lot of money.

  ‘To Mr Wilson Clark, I leave the sum of five thousand dollars along with my diamond stud cufflinks and my Land Rover. I know Wilson has been looking for a reliable car for his grandson, Willie, to get him back and forth to school.’

  This time Rose couldn’t keep silent about a bequest. ‘A forty-thousand-dollar SUV for an eighteen-year-old kid? He couldn’t afford the upkeep.’

  ‘Shush, daughter!’ demanded Grandpa Parker. ‘I thought there was to be no talking during the meeting.’

  Rose crossed her arms, seething. ‘I beg your pardon, Mr Bradley.’

  The lawyer nodded before continuing. ‘To Mr James T. Scott, my sole sibling, I leave the sum of fifty thousand dollars, along with my Rolex watch, and any or all of my clothing and personal effects he wishes. Maybe you could wear some of my sport shirts on the golf course.’

  As a ripple of chuckles could be heard around the table, Jill focused on Rose in anticipation of another outburst. But this time the widow only rolled her eyes.

  ‘To my beloved wife of thirty-five years, Rose Parker Scott, I leave my four-hundred-and-one-thousand-dollar retirement account, my half of our jointly owned investments, including the condo on Sanibel Island, and the remainder of my art collection in our home.’

  ‘What about his shares of Parker Estate stock?’ Rose swiveled toward her father. ‘I know you sold William some shares over the years because you refused to stop pouring money into that farm.’

  ‘Not some of them, daughter, all of them.’

  ‘All?’ Rose sputtered.

  Mr Bradley pushed his glasses up his nose. ‘If I might continue, ma’am, there is one additional bequest.’

  ‘Only one more?’ Grandpa asked. ‘But what about Jane, Lexi’s friend? Shouldn’t she get something? She’s here, isn’t she?’

  ‘Dad, please!’ Rose was close to exploding. ‘Her name is Jill, for heaven’s sake, and she’s not one of William’s heirs. She’s here because Alexis likes her for some odd reason.’

  Jill couldn’t remain silent another moment. ‘Look, I’m sorry about the mess last night, but I believe someone drugged me.’

  ‘If there were any drugs involved, young lady, you took them yourself. You seem to have self-control issues.’ Rose arched her neck like a goose.

  ‘I do not! I seldom drink and I’ve never taken drugs other than aspirin. I am tired of you besmirching my reputation.’ Jill wiped away beads of sweat from her upper lip.

  Grandpa clapped his hands as though watching a sporting event. ‘Atta girl, Julie. Stick up for yourself.’

  ‘Everyone, please settle down,’ Bradley shouted above the din. ‘And let me finish.’ He waited until the room grew quiet, then he read the final bequest.

  ‘And to my beloved firstborn legitimate child, Alexis Nicole Scott, I leave the proceeds of my one-million-dollar annuity and my fifty percent share of Parker Estate Distillery. Those, along with the shares she already owns from profit sharing, will give Alexis the voting majority. Alexis will become CEO of the corporation and appoint a new director of operations at her discretion.’

  Rose wobbled as she scrambled to her feet, as though her stilettos could no longer support her body weight. ‘William gave you his shares and made you CEO, not me?’ If her demeanor could be trusted, this news came as a surprise to the widow.

  Alexis shook her head, her eyes moist with tears. ‘I had no idea what Daddy had planned. But he knew you didn’t like hanging out inside the distillery.’

  ‘I’ve been in the distillery plenty! I was practically brought up in the stinky place. But usually your father sent me on some fool errand to get me out of his hair.’

  ‘Sounds like Billy picked the right person for the job.’ Jame
s Scott’s comment was met with plenty of smiles and a few laughs.

  Rose slapped her palms flat on the table. ‘How dare you come around with your hand out after not seeing William in years?’

  James jumped to his feet and began launching epitaphs across the room like pellets from a shotgun. While the in-laws verbally attacked one another and the lawyer tried to quiet the crowd down, no one noticed the door open or the two well-dressed men walk in. Except for Jill.

  ‘Who are you?’ Jill asked the younger of the two men.

  Her softly spoken question attracted plenty of attention. Rose, James, and everyone else stopped jabbering and stared at the late arrivals.

  ‘Excuse me, gentleman,’ said Ken Bradley. ‘You have wandered into the wrong office. Trixie will help you on your way.’

  The legal assistant dutifully jumped to her feet and approached the men.

  But the younger of the two held up his hand. ‘That won’t be necessary, Trixie. We were looking for the reading of William Scott’s will and from what we’ve overheard at the door I believe we’re in the right place.’

  ‘How dare you, sir!’ Bradley demanded, outraged. ‘These are closed proceedings. I’ll have security remove you from the premises immediately.’ He pulled a cell phone from his briefcase.

  ‘Please, Mr Bradley,’ Alexis said. ‘Let’s see what the gentlemen want.’

  ‘Thank you, Miss Scott.’ The young man bowed slightly. ‘I should have started with identification of myself and the gentleman on my right. I am Kevin Scott of Bardstown, Kentucky and this is my attorney, Justin Delacroix of Delacroix and Broussard Attorneys at Law.’ Kevin pulled a driver’s license from his wallet to show those closest to the door, namely Jimmy Scott and Mabel Hawkins. Mrs Hawkins showed no interest whatsoever, but Jimmy Scott became almost gleeful. ‘Yep, that’s what the license says.’

  Everyone at the conference table looked bewildered, except for Mama Rose. Her face flushed so bright red, Jill thought steam might burst from her ears.

  ‘Have these men removed, Ken. In fact, call the police and have them arrested for trespassing.’

  Alexis rose to her feet with supreme dignity. ‘No, Mother, as one of my father’s principle heirs, I insist that we hear Mr Scott out.’

  After her pronouncement Alexis returned to her chair next to Jill, who slipped a reassuring arm around her shoulder. After all, hadn’t she been invited expressly for emotional support?

  ‘Alexis,’ Rose pleaded, moisture glistening in her eyes. ‘Please trust my judgement this one time. This man is a fraud, a scammer who lies to fill his pockets with money.’

  ‘So I gather you’ve met Mr Scott before?’ Alexis asked in a voice Jill had never heard before – low, precise, controlled, devoid of emotion. ‘That gives you an unfair advantage, one you’ve had your whole life. Let’s all sit down. I am no longer a child and I want to hear what Kevin has to say. Then if anyone calls security, it will be me.’

  Jill tightened her arm around Alexis’s shoulder. ‘I don’t know who you are,’ she whispered, ‘but I want to be you when I grow up.’

  Alexis didn’t reply, but one corner of her mouth pulled up into a half-smile.

  Then the other attorney, Mr Delacroix, spoke with a faint Louisiana accent. ‘Without prejudice or animosity, Mr Scott refutes the assertion that Alexis Nicole Scott was the firstborn child of William Douglas Scott.’ As all eyes turned in his direction, he pulled a sheaf of papers from an inside pocket. ‘These papers are a mere courtesy of our intention to contest the will as read by Mr Bradley. We shall offer evidence in probate court of the birth certificate of Kevin Scott.’ Delacroix handed the papers to Mrs Hawkins who dutifully passed them down to Bradley. ‘You will see that Kevin Scott is eighteen months older than Miss Alexis. And by the wording “to my legitimate firstborn child I bequeath” we feel we have legal precedent. Also, I have proof that William Scott and my client, Kevin, have been in contact, albeit sporadic, since his birth. We will also present as evidence a recent email indicating William Scott’s intention to amend his will to include his son.’

  ‘Holy Toledo,’ exclaimed Grandpa. ‘That man you married, Rosie, was a sly little devil.’ He punctuated his description with a cackle of laughter.

  ‘Shut up or I’ll have you committed to an asylum.’

  Rose’s threat prompted plenty of conversation at the table, but Jill remained focused on Alexis and her new … half-brother. Alexis looked downright shell-shocked, while Kevin, on the other hand, didn’t appear particularly joyful at the chance for long-awaited justice. Instead, he gazed on his half-sister with an expression of pity.

  After several uncomfortable moments, Kevin cleared his throat and spoke in a clear voice. ‘Whether the probate court recognizes my claim as a legitimate heir of William Scott I’m willing to let the judge decide. But I can assure you my father wished me to be part of his world. Although his position in the company was due to his marriage to Rose Parker Scott, my father worked his entire career at Parker Estate Distillery and wanted me to be part of that legacy.’ He bobbed his head respectfully in Grandpa’s direction. ‘And he wanted me to know his family, namely Alexis.’

  ‘Over my dead body,’ Mama Rose muttered.

  ‘I don’t know what to say.’ Alexis grasped the edge of the table, looking weak and very young.

  ‘Sit down, girlfriend.’ Jill tugged on her arm until she complied.

  ‘You don’t need to say anything, Alexis,’ Kevin continued. ‘I just want you to know I harbor no animosity.’

  ‘You’re correct, young man,’ said Attorney Bradley, finally pulling himself together. ‘Alexis has nothing to say. This ridiculous claim has a snowball’s chance of holding up in court.’

  With that Delacroix and Kevin Scott turned and walked out the door.

  ‘Do I still get my paintings of the Mississippi?’ Mrs Hawkins asked, recognizing the significance of the interruption.

  ‘What about the Land Rover for my grandson to take him back and forth to school?’ Mr Clark was equally as exasperated as the housekeeper.

  ‘Let’s not overreact, folks. All bequests must await the judge’s approval. Mr Scott’s appearance is nothing but smoke and mirrors, an unfortunate turn of events.’

  Without warning, Alexis jumped up and ran from the office with Jill on her heels. ‘Wait,’ she called as Kevin and Delacroix stepped into the elevator.

  A quick reaction by one of the men stopped the door from closing. Kevin stepped back into the hallway to face his half-sister.

  ‘Why now?’ Alexis rested her hands on her hips. ‘For all those years growing up I would have loved a brother or a sister, but you wait until we’re grown and our father is dead?’

  ‘We don’t know if this guy is telling the truth or not,’ Jill said in Alexis’s ear, none too softly.

  ‘Who are you, miss?’ Kevin’s pale blue gaze landed on Jill.

  ‘I’m Jill Curtis, her friend.’

  ‘I don’t blame you for protecting her, but I assure you a blood test will prove I’m telling the truth.’ He refocused on Alexis. ‘I didn’t know who my father was until recently. When my mother suffered a health scare, she had to face her own mortality. She contacted my father and asked him to publicly acknowledge me. He kept stalling, insisting the time wasn’t right. But at least he started writing me letters on a regular basis. I can produce those letters in court if necessary.’

  ‘You wish to have my share of my father’s estate?’ Alexis asked in a strangled voice.

  Kevin’s features seemed to soften. ‘Not particularly your share. Whether or not I end up inheriting anything, we’ll let the courts decide. But my father wanted me to learn the business and become part of his world, part of his life. I hope you can accept the fact I’m not crawling back under a rock.’ With that, Kevin stepped back and the elevator door closed in Alexis’s and Jill’s face.

  Nick pressed the redial button for the twentieth time. If Jill didn’t pick up this time or answer his texts he wo
uld put an APB out on her car.

  ‘Hello. That you, Magic Man?’ Jill asked sweetly.

  ‘Yes, it’s me. Where have you been? And why didn’t you answer my texts?’

  ‘I told you that today was the reading of Mr Scott’s will. Wait until you—’

  But Nick had no time to wait. ‘How long does it take to read who gets what in an estate? It’s after two o’clock.’

  ‘Alexis took me to lunch after the meeting with her lawyer. With that kind of mind-boggling news, she needed to calm down without her mother nearby. Nothing settles a person like a—’

  Nick interrupted a second time. ‘Why couldn’t you at least text me? After the condition you were in last night, I was worried.’

  Jill let a few silent moments spin out. ‘What do you think happened – Alexis and I went for a four-martini lunch and I passed out face-down in my Caesar salad?’

  ‘Of course not.’

  ‘I told you, Nick. Someone drugged me last night.’

  ‘And who would’ve done that?’

  ‘It could have been anyone at the party – Mama Rose, the new master distiller, Mr Rossi, even … and I can’t believe I’m saying this … Alexis. But why on earth would she do something like that?’

  ‘Didn’t you get your last drink from Grandpa Parker?

  ‘Why would that nice old guy want me dead? I’ve only talked to him once or twice. I doubt someone who suffers from memory loss could be a calculating murderer. Grandpa was probably the intended victim.’

  Nick knew he’d better tread carefully. ‘I’m sorry, Jill. I just had news of my own to share. Tell me what happened at the lawyer’s office.’

  ‘Oh, no, by all means, you go first,’ she insisted, still sounding annoyed.

  He tossed his overnight bag in the trunk and took a deep breath. ‘I got a call from Detective Grimes. When the police executed a search warrant at Ross Lacey’s, they found pictures of Alexis plastered all over one bedroom wall. Lacey has been charged with violating the restraining order and stalking. Unfortunately the techs found nothing that connected him to William Scott’s murder, not inside his townhouse or his car. And Lacey has an alibi for around the time Mr Scott died. So as soon as he posts bail he will be released.’