“Checking into whether other beneficiaries
are in desperate need of money. Starting with Cecilia. How did her last divorce
leave her financially?”
“We can skip Cecilia. She’d never hurt Grandfather.”
“We can’t skip her.”
“You only suspect her because she’s been divorced three
times. You figure there’s either something wrong with her or she’s a
gold-digger.” Ben’s voice had an edge.
“Why would I think that?” Lexie asked. “I don’t know her
well, but I like her. It sounds like she makes bad decisions about men and has
mother issues, which are two things we’ve got in common. Max wanted my
objectivity. That means looking into everyone.”
Ben let out a long breath. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little
protective of Cecilia. I can pretty much guarantee she needs money. Cecilia’s
an incurable romantic and always thinks this man is the one she’ll be with
forever, so she signs truly lousy prenuptial agreements. But unfortunately she
also has lousy taste in men.”
“What does she do for a living?”
“She’s pretty much a professional wife,” Ben said. “She’s
never had a paying job in her life. Her mother can’t survive without a man
supporting her, and she’s convinced Cecilia that she’s the same way. Cecilia’s
smart and talented and could succeed at any career she tried, but it’s hard to
overcome years of your mother’s influence.”
Lexie’s lips twisted wryly. “I can relate to that. What
about Seth?”
“Seth is supporting a wife and two little boys on what he
makes videotaping weddings and bar mitzvahs. They also live in California,
which isn’t exactly cheap. I’m sure he could use the money,” Ben said. “But
he’s got a bigger motive. Seth’s share of the trust will allow him to finally
break into films or television. And his wife Joanna will get to act in
something other than local theater and tampon commercials, which I assume is a
big part of why she married Seth.”
Ben tapped his knuckles against his chin. “Actually, Joanna
could be involved, too. She was here with Seth and the kids for Easter. She’s
always struck me as one of those Lady Macbeth types.”
“I take it you don’t like her.”
“Not so much,” Ben said. “I think Joanna is my second
favorite suspect.”
Presumably Jeremy was his first. Lexie made another note.
“How about Muriel?”
“Aunt Muriel inherited quite a bit when her husband died,”
Ben said. “But she contributes to a lot of religions and might have given more
than she can afford. I’ll see what I can find out.”
“That leaves Jeremy. I’d better talk to him, since he
clearly won’t tell you the truth.”
“If he’s having money problems, he’ll lie to you, too, if
only out of pride,” Ben said. “I’ll ask my ex-wife. She isn’t a big fan of
Jeremy’s either.”
“Doesn’t Jeremy live in New York?”
Ben shrugged. “Olivia knows a lot of people.”
Lexie looked down at her list. She’d reached the end, and
every task had been delegated to Ben. “If you’re going to find out all the
money stuff, what am I supposed to do?”
“Once you’re done discussing Grandfather’s ghost with
Dylan?” Ben asked, a corner of his mouth quirking. “Why don’t you ask everyone
about Grandfather? Since he was famous, you’d naturally be curious about him.
Maybe someone will admit resenting him.”
“Wouldn’t I ask you?”
“Tell people I’m too upset to talk about him.”
“I guess I can also ask them about you,” Lexie said.
“Me?”
“I’m not about to take your word for it that you have no
interest in Max’s money.”
Ben narrowed his eyes at her. “Grandfather trusted me enough
to appoint me a co-investigator. You’re just trying to get back at me for
making you ride on my motorcycle.”
That sparked Lexie’s temper, and she lifted her chin. “I’m
not that petty. I’m trying to be thorough. I can’t exclude one beneficiary from
the investigation.”
“Fine. Ask
are in desperate need of money. Starting with Cecilia. How did her last divorce
leave her financially?”
“We can skip Cecilia. She’d never hurt Grandfather.”
“We can’t skip her.”
“You only suspect her because she’s been divorced three
times. You figure there’s either something wrong with her or she’s a
gold-digger.” Ben’s voice had an edge.
“Why would I think that?” Lexie asked. “I don’t know her
well, but I like her. It sounds like she makes bad decisions about men and has
mother issues, which are two things we’ve got in common. Max wanted my
objectivity. That means looking into everyone.”
Ben let out a long breath. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little
protective of Cecilia. I can pretty much guarantee she needs money. Cecilia’s
an incurable romantic and always thinks this man is the one she’ll be with
forever, so she signs truly lousy prenuptial agreements. But unfortunately she
also has lousy taste in men.”
“What does she do for a living?”
“She’s pretty much a professional wife,” Ben said. “She’s
never had a paying job in her life. Her mother can’t survive without a man
supporting her, and she’s convinced Cecilia that she’s the same way. Cecilia’s
smart and talented and could succeed at any career she tried, but it’s hard to
overcome years of your mother’s influence.”
Lexie’s lips twisted wryly. “I can relate to that. What
about Seth?”
“Seth is supporting a wife and two little boys on what he
makes videotaping weddings and bar mitzvahs. They also live in California,
which isn’t exactly cheap. I’m sure he could use the money,” Ben said. “But
he’s got a bigger motive. Seth’s share of the trust will allow him to finally
break into films or television. And his wife Joanna will get to act in
something other than local theater and tampon commercials, which I assume is a
big part of why she married Seth.”
Ben tapped his knuckles against his chin. “Actually, Joanna
could be involved, too. She was here with Seth and the kids for Easter. She’s
always struck me as one of those Lady Macbeth types.”
“I take it you don’t like her.”
“Not so much,” Ben said. “I think Joanna is my second
favorite suspect.”
Presumably Jeremy was his first. Lexie made another note.
“How about Muriel?”
“Aunt Muriel inherited quite a bit when her husband died,”
Ben said. “But she contributes to a lot of religions and might have given more
than she can afford. I’ll see what I can find out.”
“That leaves Jeremy. I’d better talk to him, since he
clearly won’t tell you the truth.”
“If he’s having money problems, he’ll lie to you, too, if
only out of pride,” Ben said. “I’ll ask my ex-wife. She isn’t a big fan of
Jeremy’s either.”
“Doesn’t Jeremy live in New York?”
Ben shrugged. “Olivia knows a lot of people.”
Lexie looked down at her list. She’d reached the end, and
every task had been delegated to Ben. “If you’re going to find out all the
money stuff, what am I supposed to do?”
“Once you’re done discussing Grandfather’s ghost with
Dylan?” Ben asked, a corner of his mouth quirking. “Why don’t you ask everyone
about Grandfather? Since he was famous, you’d naturally be curious about him.
Maybe someone will admit resenting him.”
“Wouldn’t I ask you?”
“Tell people I’m too upset to talk about him.”
“I guess I can also ask them about you,” Lexie said.
“Me?”
“I’m not about to take your word for it that you have no
interest in Max’s money.”
Ben narrowed his eyes at her. “Grandfather trusted me enough
to appoint me a co-investigator. You’re just trying to get back at me for
making you ride on my motorcycle.”
That sparked Lexie’s temper, and she lifted her chin. “I’m
not that petty. I’m trying to be thorough. I can’t exclude one beneficiary from
the investigation.”
“Fine. Ask
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