Fatal February by Barbara Levenson Read Free Book Online

warehouse. The front desk told me you were here waiting.”
    “I was just keeping her company while she waited,” Beverly said.
    “Yes, I can see that. Thank you, Beverly. You should have called me.”
    “I would have, if I’d known where you were,” Beverly answered.
    “Well, Ms. Katz, let’s go into my office. I don’t have a lot of time, but I see you are persistent, so let’s have our little talk,” Jack said.
    I followed him down a long hall with pictures of Miami as it had been over the years. We entered a large corner office, well furnished, with the neatest desk I’d ever seen. Beverly was right. This was a man who tended to details.
    Jack motioned to the chair across the desk from him. “Now, Ms. Katz, the company and I are prepared to assist Lillian in every way possible. I will tell youstraight out that I wanted to hire a more, shall we say, well-known attorney for my sister. I contacted a New York firm. However, Lillian feels that she wants you, so that’s that. What is it you want from me?”
    “I need to gather all the information possible regarding Gary, his friends, family, his work, anything that will lead to a defense. I’m sure you know that Lillian is in shock and not able to assist me very much at this time.”
    “Lillian has always been a delicate woman. I did not know that she was unwell. I will call the family doctor.”
    Jack’s expression of impatience was growing. He reminded me of Sam when I’m slow in getting his dog chow served up. I thought he might leap from his chair at any moment.
    “I understand that you’re very busy, but I need to ask you some questions. Did Gary have any business enemies? Anyone you know of who would have wanted to hurt him?”
    “On the contrary, everyone loved Gary. He was Mister Personality.”
    “Did you share that view?”
    “What I thought of him is unimportant. As long as he kept my sister happy, he was okay with me.”
    “Were you friends as well as family and business colleagues?”
    “None of this is really your business, but I’ll try toexplain. Gary didn’t really fit in to our family or community. He was raised in a very poor family. He lacked many advantages that we grew up with. He expanded his horizons when he married Lillian and came into the business. I’m sure you understand what I mean. Now is there anything else?” Jack started to get up.
    “Yes, there is. Was Gary seeing another woman?”
    Jack’s face turned red. “Why would you ask that?”
    “Look, Mr. Brandeis, if Gary was cheating on Lillian, that could be a motive for her having murdered him. The prosecution will use that. I need to know matters like this so I can stop any speculation about a motive. You and I are on the same side. We both want what’s best for your sister.”
    “I know nothing about Gary’s personal affairs. Now, if you will excuse me, I must get back to work.” Jack was up and opening the door.
    “If you remember anything else, please call me at once,” I said as I moved out the door. This whole family was a puzzle. Why wouldn’t Jack tell me what he knew? And why was it so apparent that he had hated Gary?

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    My office was just as messy as I had left it. I picked up a bunch of new phone messages on my way in. I realized I’d never had lunch. I found an apple and a candy bar in my desk drawer and washed them down with a cold cup of coffee left over from the morning.
    The first phone message was from Ray Abruzzo. His son had been arrested again for car theft. He had posted bond, but needed me to appear at the arraignment. Nothing new there.
    The second message caught my attention. Catherine Aynsworth was looking for a paralegal position. One of the secretaries in the building had recommended she call me. I grabbed the phone and dialed the number and extension. She was at German and Duke, a large well-respected firm downtown.
    “This is Catherine. May I help you?” a warm voice said.
    “Catherine, this is Mary Katz.