Read Online Death of a Hot Chick by Norma Huss - Free Book Online Page A

tiny alligator on the
pocket. I listened as my sister thanked him profusely for meeting
us on his day off.
    “ How could I refuse to see my favorite
professor?” he asked. “I’ve got to tell you, your course on recent
Central American history changed my entire life.”
    As Kaye and J. Smith Owens talked college
courses, study in Panama and Costa Rica, his uncles and father, I
studied the framed certificates on the wall and the view from the
small window. I learned J. stood for Jonathan, he had four pens in
a black, initialed holder, and three pictures on his desk. One was
the graduation photo of a cutie. Probably the girl friend. The
other two were family groups. Judging from the clothing, one group
was likely dead. That would account for most of the Smiths.
    Finally, Kaye said, “My sister has an
interesting legal problem related to Nicole Joline’s death. This
title,” she said, as she placed it before him.
    He frowned, held it up, then turned it
over.
    I didn’t like that frown. “Is anything the
matter?” I asked.
    “ This does seem to be a legal title.
However, it is unusual to see one that has not been kept in the
best condition. The damage does not seem to be related to the age
of the document. The paper was wet at some point?” He didn’t wait
for an answer, but turned to the front of the paper and muttered to
himself, “Not sure about that handwritten addition. It is witnessed
and dated, but not notarized.” After a moment, he turned to me.
“How did you come by this document? Did Miss Joline give it to
you?”
    “ Yes.” In way, that was
true.
    “ The time-date is before her death?” I
nodded. “That may preclude the absence of notarized signatures. You
and the witness can testify these are your signatures?”
    I nodded again. “She said it made everything
all legal.”
    “ There will be an inquest into her
death. This may figure into her estate.” He opened a drawer,
removed a folder, and opened it. “I must study the ramifications,”
he said as he placed the title in the folder.
    “ No! You can’t have it.”
    Kaye jerked her head around to look at me,
then she nodded. Obviously we were of the same opinion because she
said, “Perhaps we should make copies and put this one in a safe
deposit box. The original could always be shown later, if
necessary.”
    “ Of course. I’ll make a copy for my
use to research the applicable laws. It needn’t be notarized.
Although, I recommend you do obtain notarized copies.”
    “ Excellent suggestion,” Kaye said.
“Now, let’s discuss your retainer.”
    “ Oh, please. Should I ask my favorite
teacher for money? Let’s see how much time this requires. We’ll
talk about that later.”
    I opened my wallet and took out all the
bills. One ten and four ones. “Fourteen dollars. I insist you take
this for now.”
    J. Smith’s face got red. “Please, no,” he
said.
    “ Do take it, Jonathan,” Kaye said.
“Little though it is, you are now her lawyer. And believe me, you
will be paid in full. Didn’t those years at college teach you
anything about finances?”
    That’s when he actually got serious, filled
out a bunch of papers promising to research the boat title and
represent me in any dealings. He even looked at me twice. But he
definitely spoke to Kaye when he added, “I’ll also file a notice of
interested party to the estate of Nicole Joline.”
    “ Of course,” Kaye said.
    “ Thank you for handling my case,” I
said, belatedly acting like a client. As I watched Kaye take care
of my business, I wondered when my sister would start going the,
“tough love,” route. Telling me, “You’re a big girl now. Handle
it,” whatever “it” might be at the moment. How did I get so messed
up? Had I depended on Al so much that I’d forgotten everything I
knew before? How to be independent, responsible? And, when would I
break away? When would I tell Kaye, “Thanks, but no
thanks?”
    Not today.
    Kaye’s insurance company was our next