Before anyone could say anything, Lyons added, “As you all know, Andrew’s death was ruled a suicide. Therefore, the ownership of the entire business—Granger’s Grapes, Inc.—goes to his closest blood relative. In this case, that would be his sister, Edwina Granger.”
The fake sister clapped her hands and let out a loud “Whoop!”
Nina’s jaw dropped as she stared at Lyons.
Allison lowered her head and began to cry into her wad of tissues.
It was time to call out the fraud. Deena stood and asked Lyons to join her by the door. Looking helpless to relieve his client’s distress, he got up and followed her. Deena told him what she had overheard as well as how Edwina the First had accused Allison of murder.
His eyes narrowed as he nodded his understanding. He walked over to the fake sister and whispered something in her ear.
She leaped from her seat clutching her purse. “How dare you accuse me of fraud! We’ll see who’s a fraud!”
“Perhaps you’d like to explain that to the police. I’m sure they’ll be happy to sort this all out for us. Although, I believe the penalty for fraud and perjury carries a good deal of jail time.”
“Jail!” she shouted, wide-eyed. “I’m not going to jail for this. That creep Woody Davenport should be the one going to jail. Not me.” She raced from the room.
“Should I follow her?” Deena asked anxiously.
“No,” Gary and Lyons said simultaneously.
Lyons added, “I doubt we’ll ever see her again.” He turned to Nina. “Have you ever heard of a man named Woody Davenport?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course. He’s my husband.”
“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!” Allison moaned. “That snake went and killed himself knowing full well that he was leaving me destitute. And after all I did for him and put up with.”
“Perhaps we should discuss this in private, Allison.” Lyons motioned toward the door. “Would you like to come back to my office?”
Allison shook her head. “Not if it’s going to cost me more money. Now I’m not going to be able to pay you. That stupid Andrew.”
Nina eyed Allison. “That was a fast change of heart. At least now you see him for the conman he really was.”
“Shut up,” Allison said. “You have no right to talk about him that way. Besides, it seems to me if your father cut you out of his will, you shouldn’t get to inherit the business anyway. Right, Eric? Can we sue her or something?”
He cleared his throat. “There are a number of ways to challenge probate. We can discuss those at another time.”
Deena wondered why he was being coy with Allison. Maybe he was hoping to bag the now-rich Edwina Granger Davenport as a new client. Then Deena remembered something. “What about the baby?”
Allison’s face turned three shades of purple. “What?”
“Mr. Lyons said the inheritance would go to Andrew’s closest relative, right? Since you’re pregnant, maybe your unborn child is first in line.” Deena expected Allison to jump for joy; instead she just stared back with her mouth ajar.
“You’re expecting?” Lyons knitted his brow. “You never mentioned that.”
Allison sucked in a deep breath. “That’s because I’m not.”
Gary shot daggers at Deena, then said, “I think we should be going.”
Deena remained seated. “But—but—you said—”
Allison cut her off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mrs. Sharpe, and neither do you.” She turned back to her lawyer. “Andrew couldn’t stand his sister, and I’d rather anyone else get the winery than her. Are you sure there’s not a loophole in there somewhere that would block this?”
Nina’s face turned smug for the first time. “I didn’t even want the business...until now.”
Lyons, trying to avoid a family feud or catfight or worse, pulled Allison up by the arm. “Let’s discuss this in my office.”
“I’m not a child,” she said, shaking his hand loose from her arm. “Besides, how do we even know Andrew actually did commit suicide? Mrs. Sharpe thinks he was murdered. She said so right there in the Tribune.”
Before Deena could protest again, Lyons was pushing Allison out of the conference room. Over her shoulder, Allison called out, “Deena, I’ll be in touch.”
Chapter 18
The Sharpes, Edwina Granger, and Lonnie Fisher all sat in stunned silence, not sure of what to do next.
“Well,” Gary finally said, “I guess we should leave.”
Just then the receptionist stuck her head in to say Mr. Lyons would contact them as soon as he had more information to share. She asked Edwina to stop by the front desk to leave her contact number.
Gary leaned across the table. “Lonnie, nice to see you again.” They shook hands.
“Maybe I’ll see you sometime in the future, unless I end up moving back to Dallas. Who knows if I still have a job after today.” He looked over at Deena. “And you, Mrs. Sharpe, I certainly hope you are not seriously planning to follow that ridiculous claim that Drew was murdered. It would be a shame to smear such a good man’s name when he’s not here to defend himself.”
Deena started to say something when Edwina interrupted. “Mr. Fisher, is it? You obviously didn’t know the same Andrew Granger that I grew up with. The Andrew I knew—”
“You’re right, Mrs. Davenport. I didn’t know the man you described as a conman. It’s too bad you didn’t know the Drew that I worked side by side with all these years. People can change, you know. We aren’t just stuck in one place our whole lives. Have you ever thought that maybe you and your family caused your brother’s problems when he was younger?” Without waiting for a response, Lonnie stormed out of the conference room.
Edwina glared as he rushed by her. “It’s obvious Drew pulled the wool over his eyes.” She picked up her handbag. “Sorry if I was rude, Mrs. Sharpe. It’s been a rough couple of days. I had no idea that woman was trying to pass herself off as me.”
“I completely understand,” Deena said as she got up and stood by Gary. “I’m sure you’re exhausted and confused and...thrilled.”
“Thrilled?” Edwina narrowed her eyes. “Why on earth would I be thrilled?”
Deena ignored Gary’s throat clearing. “Because you just inherited the winery. I’m sure it will make you a rich woman.”
“Oh, that.” Edwina walked around the table toward the door. “I’m sure I’ll never see a penny of that. Allison will do everything in her power to keep it out of my hands. Frankly, she can have it for all I care.”
Why on earth would she say that? Was she already wealthy? The rich never act like they care about money. Deena was determined to find out what the woman’s story was. “Nina, where are you staying? Do you need a ride? We’d be happy to give you a lift.”
Her face softened. “I have a rental car, but thanks. Actually, I thought I might be getting an invitation to stay with Allison. Obviously, that’s out of the question.”
“You’re welcome to stay with us. Right, Gary?”
His face was a mixture of surprise and worry. “Um, sure. Although there are a number of charming bed and breakfast places in Maycroft that you might enjoy.”
Nina chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mr. Sharpe. I’m not going to invade your home. I appreciate the offer though.”
Deena followed Nina into the lobby. “Well, at least let us buy you lunch.”
Nina shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m really tired. I just want to find a place to crash and get my thoughts together. By the way, do you know where Drew was buried? I’d like to visit his grave.”
Deena glanced at Gary, hoping he wouldn’t blow her cover. “Actually, I do. I can take you there. Why don’t we meet at the Café Hut on Main in about an hour, and I’ll take you to the cemetery?”
Maybe Nina wanted some company or maybe Deena had just worn her down, but either way Nina agreed.
After she left, Deena pulled Gary’s arm back toward the receptionist’s desk.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I’ve got to talk to Allison before we leave.”
“Why?”
“I have to find out where she buried her husband.”
Chapter 19
Anxiously drumming her fingers on the table, Deena watched as car after car drove by the coffee shop without pulling in. Why hadn’t she gotten Nina’s cell phone number? For all she knew, Nina Davenport could be on her way back to Nevada, and Deena would be left with a million unanswered questions.
On the other hand, at least she wouldn’t have to admit to lying to the woman’s face. Not only had she not known where Drew Granger was buried, she also didn’t realize that Allison was still in possession of his ashes. Deena had gotten that bit of information before leaving the attorney’s office.
She debated calling Dan and catching him up on the latest developments when she saw Nina pull into the parking lot. Deena gulped down the end of her mocha latte and put on her best concerned-friend face.
Nina waved, ordered a coffee, and joined Deena at the table. “Thanks for waiting,” she said. “I didn’t have your number to let you know I was going to be late. I took a room at the Wisteria Inn and Mrs. Swanson felt the need to explain the whole history of the property, including how to properly flush the toilet.”
Deena laughed. “The Swansons go to our church. She’s a real talker, that’s for sure. But she makes a mean sausage gravy and biscuit though, so it will be worth it.”
Nina nodded slowly and eyed Deena cautiously. “I realize that you are a reporter, but I hope you aren’t just trying to get information for a story out of me.”
The guilt was too much for Deena to brush off. “Actually, that’s part of it. I would be lying to say otherwise. But you need to know your brother was a client and friend of Gary’s, and we both really care about what happened to him. From what I have discovered, there were no signs that he was depressed to the point of taking his own life. Yes, I’m writing a story for the newspaper, but the end goal is to be sure there is justice if someone did something to Drew.”
Nina stared over her coffee cup out the window as Deena held her breath. She was hoping Nina wouldn’t jump up and take off like a scared rabbit.
At last she said, “Fair enough. But before we head out to the cemetery, I want to ask you about the imposter who was claiming to be me and what involvement my husband may have had in their little scheme.”
Relieved, Deena started from the beginning. “You see, over the past few years, I’ve been involved in investigating a few murder cases around here. It began with my uncle’s cold case and just spread from there. I guess I’ve developed a reputation for finding killers.”
“Unusual hobby.”
She shrugged. “Some people knit. I sleuth. Anyway, a woman came to me claiming to be you. She said her brother was murdered and that she thought Allison had done it.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. If Woody was involved, he’d be looking to get Allison out of the picture.”
“There’s more,” Deena added, wishing she hadn’t finished her coffee so quickly. “She said Allison was having an affair. I don’t know if that’s true or not, although Lonnie Fisher confirmed that Drew and Allison hadn’t been ‘intimate’ lately.”
Nina wrinkled her nose. “That’s an awfully private detail for a man to share with his coworker, don’t you think? I can’t imagine Drew would have said that to anyone.”
“I know what you mean, but apparently the two were close. Lonnie said they were like brothers.”
Nina scoffed. “That’s what Drew said about Woody after we got married, and you know how that turned out.”
“Actually, I don’t. What happened with you and your brother?”
Nina sat back. “I’ll tell you, but only if it’s off the record and only if we get more coffee.”
“Deal.” Deena fetched them each a second cup and they moved to a table in the far corner to avoid the early lunch crowd that would soon fill the small shop.
Nina doctored her coffee with cream and artificial sugar while Deena spooned heaps of whipped cream into her mouth. Maybe she would have Nina’s trim figure if she’d skipped the mocha and sugar, but then life really wouldn’t be worth living.
“Woody Davenport and I got married right after we graduated high school. I went to college and got an associate’s degree in accounting. I was too impatient to spend four years in college just to end up working in my father’s business. Woody was already working in the production end of the company when Drew and I both started working there full-time. I was the money manager; Drew was in charge of marketing and sales.”
“Quite the family business.” Although the arrangement sounded cozy, she could also see it had the potential for problems.
“Things rocked along just fine for a few years until my father became ill, that is, and stepped out of the day-to-day operation. He made Drew the CEO and me the chief financial officer. I was fine with that. Woody and I were hoping to start a family and Drew was still single, so it made sense.”
“I have a feeling there’s a ‘but’ coming,” Deena said.
“Yep. The company was starting to make money, but expenses seemed out of whack. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that Drew and Woody had pulled the wool over my eyes. They were inflating expenses and pocketing the profit. I was stunned. Not only that, but I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the whole thing and cheat my father, you know?”
“Of course not. But what did you do?”
Nina sipped her coffee. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I’d do it again today if I had to.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I ratted them out to my father.”
Deena shook her head. “That was incredibly brave and responsible of you.” Her opinion of Nina Davenport kicked up about three notches. “Is that what caused the big fallout between you and Drew?”
“Yes, but it gets worse. You see, my brother denied any involvement in the scheme. He blamed it on Woody and me.”
“Oh no,” Deena said as her hand flew to her mouth. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish I were. Since I was in charge of the bookkeeping, it was easy for my father to blame me. And since he had never really cottoned to Woody, he and I got all the blame. That’s when Daddy disowned me and turned over everything to Drew. I heard he got married shortly after that.”
“No wonder you and your brother were estranged all these years.” Deena couldn’t imagine being in Nina’s shoes. She was close to her own brother, Russell, and would be lost without him. She remembered something else. “Is that why your father put the clause in his will about Drew living a sin-free life?”
“I suppose so.” Nina stirred her half-empty cup, creating a miniature tornado. “This morning was the first I’d heard about it. I doubt Drew knew about it either. Of course, the irony is that the terms of the will mean that everything reverted back to me anyway. Daddy would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that.” A few tears slipped down her cheeks.
Deena handed her a wad of napkins from the dispenser. “I’m so sorry. Family issues can be complicated.” She didn’t know what else to say.
Nina dabbed her eyes. “What makes it even more crazy is that I don’t think Drew really killed himself. If it turns out that someone else killed him, I lose the family business and it all goes to Allison.”
“Unless Allison killed him,” Deena added.
“Do you really think she might have?”
Deena didn’t want to expose all the cards in her hand. After all, she’d just met this woman. She didn’t want to tell her about the possible physical abuse, the sketchy book club alibi, or the pregnancy hoax until she found out more about Edwina Granger Davenport. However, her first impression was that the woman seemed honest and everything she said made sense.
“Tell me about your husband, Woody Davenport,” Deena said. “How do you think he is involved in this?”
Nina’s eyes went from
weepy to worried. “You heard that woman say that he was behind her scam. I wouldn’t put it past him to do something to get revenge on Drew and his hands on the family money.”
The coffee shop began filling up as Deena had suspected. It was getting harder to keep their conversation private. She waved to a couple of people she knew as they glanced suspiciously at the stranger with whom she was sitting.
“Maybe we should go somewhere more private,” Deena suggested.
“How about the cemetery? I can follow you.”
Deena’s mouth went dry. “Why don’t you let me drive you? I can drop you back here afterwards; that way we can talk in the car where it is warmer.” If she trapped Nina in her car, she’d be a captive audience when she confessed to lying about knowing where Drew was buried.
“Okay,” Nina sighed. “Are we going to Restful Pines? That’s where Daddy is buried.”
“Yes,” Deena said quickly. “Restful Pines it is.” If nothing else, Nina would be able to visit her father’s gravesite while they were there. It wouldn’t be a complete waste of time.
Deena headed to the highway that led just out of town to the cemetery. “Does Woody live with you in Nevada?”
“Oh heavens, no,” Nina said. “He lives just west of here. We separated shortly after my father fired us. That was about eleven years ago. Neither of us bothered to file for divorce. I guess that means Woody never found someone else to settle down with either.”
Deena drove just under the speed limit, taking her time to reach their destination. “What about you? What have you been doing all this time?”
“I wandered here and there for a while until I stumbled upon this boys ranch near Lake Tahoe. They were looking for someone to be a house parent who also knew how to handle horses. We grew up with horses, so I applied and got the job. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the place. I went to school part-time to become a licensed counselor. Now I do social work with troubled boys.”
“Like your brother?”
Stay Sharpe Box Set Page 24
