Tip a Hat to Murder
Page 18
“Sure.”
Stone continued. “Gordon Beals called today. Turned out Ben made some changes to his life insurance policy.”
“Can you say leaving what to whom?” Elizabeth asked.
“Most of it is for me to manage, but Beals said Ben’s note stated that he wanted the money to go to keep the diner running.”
“And Gordon knows this how?” Elizabeth fumed. The jerk should have told her that.
“Ben gave him a letter for the files, but it wasn’t to be opened until he died. Beals thought it had information on contacting survivors, and followed Ben’s instruction not to open it. He looked at it early this morning.”
Elizabeth scowled. “Surely Ben discussed it with Beals.”
Stone shook his head. “Ben had originally named his sister to get his benefits, but I guess she’s not going to live long. He left her a smaller amount, and he changed the designated beneficiaries directly with the insurance company's corporate office, not through Beals.”
Elizabeth raised her hands in a shrug. “Didn’t want to go through Beals?”
Stone smiled. “It’s a small town. Technically, I don’t have to follow Ben’s instructions. He left me no legally binding guidance.”
“What about not technically?” Hammer asked.
“Based on the note in his file at Beals’ office, I’ll do what Ben wanted.” He shrugged. “I won’t have to pay taxes on the money.”
“Did he say who he wanted to run it?” Elizabeth asked.
The phone rang and Hammer went to answer it.
“That’s where some of the other businesses come in,” Stone said. “Ben wanted Marti and Nick to operate it. If they run it for five years, they get the building. Gene and Doris already said they’re going to work with Nick and Marti.”
“How do Gene and Doris even know about this?”
Stone shook his head. “Once Beals knew, he blabbed.”
Hammer laughed as he hung up the phone, and addressed Elizabeth. “The mayor just called. She heard about Ben’s will and insurance. She was so pleased it could stay open, I think she’ll volunteer to cook.”
Elizabeth looked skyward for a moment. “When did Ben write all this?”
Stone sobered. “Right after he did away with tips.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Good thing we have a suspect. Being given the diner to run could be a motive for murder.”
Stone smiled. “Makes your life easier, I’m sure. I’m on my way to the Weed and Feed to find out their schedules. I’ve no idea how to reach either of them.”
“Tell ‘em I got a suggestion,” Hammer said.
Stone raised his eyebrows. “Sure.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Change the chili recipe?”
* * *
Thank you for reading Tip a Hat to Murder. Authors love reviews. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review at the site at which you purchased the book.
Author note: I had planned Tip a Hat to Murder as a stand-alone book, but I’ve grown to like the characters. The second book in the Logland Mystery Series is Final Cycle.
LINKS TO ELAINE’S BOOKS
Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series
Appraisal for Murder:
Rekindling Motives
When the Carny Comes to Town
Any Port in a Storm
Trouble on the Doorstep
Behind the Walls
Vague Images
Ground to a Halt
Holidays in Ocean Alley
The Unexpected Resolution
Underground in Ocean Alley
Jolie and Scoobie High School Misadventures (prequel)
River’s Edge Mystery Series
From Newsprint to Footprints
Demise of a Devious Neighbor
Demise of a Devious Suspect
Logland Mystery Series
Tip a Hat to Murder
Final Cycle.
Final Operation (March 2019)
Reflective Fiction
Falling Into Place
In the Shadow of Light
Biding Time (YA)
Common Ground (one-act play)
http://www.elaineorr.com
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http://www.elaineorr.blogspot.com
Bio for Elaine L. Orr
Elaine L. Orr is the Amazon bestselling author of the Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series, whose nine books are set at the Jersey shore. Behind the Walls was a finalist for the 2014 Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem Awards. The first book in Elaine's River's Edge cozy mystery series, From Newsprint to Footprints, debuted in late fall 2015. Elaine also writes plays and novellas, including the one-act, Common Ground, published in 2015. Her novella, Biding Time, was one of five finalists in the National Press Club's first fiction contest, in 1993. Elaine conducts presentations on electronic publishing and other writing-related topics. Nonfiction includes Words to Write By: Getting Your Thoughts on Paper and Writing in Retirement: Putting New Year’s Resolutions to Work. A member of Sisters in Crime, Elaine grew up in Maryland and moved to the Midwest in 1994.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Gracious thanks to the Decatur critique group – Angela, Dave, Debbie, Marilyn, and both Sues. Your comments make my work much better. And to Dottie, who always asks the basic questions.