The Return of the Fallen Angels Book Club (A Hollis Morgan Mystery 3) by R. Franklin James Page A

trust takes precedent. The divorce wasn’t final. I know you may not want to hear this, but unless there is language in the trust specifying otherwise, your stepmother—subtracting your father’s separate property and the amount to the Public Library Foundation—will still have full access to his estate.”
    “I knew it.” Brian rubbed the nape of his neck. “She already spends like there’s no tomorrow.” He stopped and held out his hand out as if to stop whatever Hollis must be thinking. “Look, I admit I would like the money, but I’m not desperate for it. I have a good job as a supply manager, but … but ….”
    Hollis offered, “But you don’t think your father would want a woman who was getting ready to divorce him to have his hard-earned money after his death.”
    “Exactly.”
    “What do you think Gene or I can do?”
    “Dad told me about the Fallen Angels. He was very proud of all of you, especially after the trial.” He sat down again. “Gene can run a background check on Frances. He can use his newspaper connections. For some reason, she’s very secretive about her past. My mom died when I was five. I think Dad must have been really lonely when he met Frances and didn’t bother to learn much about her.” He leaned across the conference table. “Hollis, Dad once told me you had the sharpest deductive mind he knew of. I want you to find out what’s she’s up to.”
    She felt her brows knit together. “Have you heard anything about your father’s killer? Do the police have any leads?”
    “What?” Brian looked startled. “Oh no, there’s nothing so far. They talk or come by to see me every day. Er … I do know they’re following up on the angle of possible disgruntled parolees.”
    She shifted in her seat. “I’m sure there’s always that possibility, but after office hours it’s not likely he would have let a—”
    “Look, I’m not a cop. I think a parolee is a real strong possibility for a suspect, and so do the police.” Brian took a swallow from the glass of water. He was starting to sweat profusely. “Do you think you can help me with the trust or not?”
    “You have to understand that even with a straightforward court filing, it takes thirty days from the date we file to get a hearing.”
    “Okay, no problem. We can use the time to flush Frances out.”
    “During that interval I can run a public records check on her while Gene covers her friends and family background.” Hollis looked down at her notepad. “But this can cost a lot of money. I’m not a private detective, nor do I want to get in the way of the police investigation.”
    “I don’t have a lot of money.” He played with his pen. “I was hoping the Fallen Angels and not your law firm could help with digging up the truth. And maybe you could help me with processing the trust as co-executor; then you wouldn’t have to charge your full rate. You’d get paid out of the trust.”
    Hollis grimaced. George was right about clients looking for a fee break from new attorneys.
    “Brian, did you tell the police what you just told me, I mean about the trust and divorce? Money is a great motivator.”
    “Yes, I told them. They asked me if I thought Frances killed my father and honestly, I don’t think she did. Frances has her issues, but I don’t think she’s a murderer. Besides, she was conducting an evening seminar when Dad was shot.”
    Hollis glanced down at the time on her cellphone. “Okay, let me get things moving. Today is Thursday; I’ll file a request for hearing on Monday. Then I’ll talk with Gene and we’ll get back to you.”
    Brian dabbed at his damp forehead as the two of them walked to the elevators. He held out his hand and she shook it. It was clammy. She hoped he didn’t notice her wiping her hand against her pants afterwards.
    “Thanks Hollis, I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
     
    Hollis was in her office munching on a lunch of flavored crackers when she called