Read Online Tattered Legacy (A Nora Abbott Mystery) by Shannon Baker - Free Book Online Page B

too,” Nora said.
    Marlene dabbed the last of her tears. “She was that way, wasn’t she?”
    “I need to go out to Rachel’s. Are you going to be okay?”
    Marlene tilted her head and gave Nora an are-you-kidding-me look. “Leave that door open on your way out. I’ve got books to sell.”
    Nora understood drawing all that pain and anxiety deep inside to form an impenetrable ball of strength. “Sure. I hope you don’t mind if I call you.”
    Marlene frowned at her. “Why?”
    Nora traced the bright blue band on the box. “You might have some insight into what Lisa had planned. I’ve got to finish the film.”
    Marlene came around the sales counter to face Nora. “That’s a bad idea.”
    “Sort of like someone taking Hemingway’s unfinished novel and publishing it. I know I won’t get it the way Lisa would have wanted, and heaven knows it won’t be as good. But I need to finish it.”
    Marlene’s weak moment had definitely passed. “Are you some kind of idiot?”
    Nora was lots of kinds of idiot but didn’t know which kind Marlene meant.
    “Do you honestly think Lisa slipped and fell? Use your brain. Someone didn’t want her to finish that film, and they found the most effective way to silence her.”

Nine
    The spotless Bentley eased to the curb and Warren braced to step out, knowing his neuropathy would shoot pain into his feet. “I won’t be long, so circle around.”
    Ben nodded. “Sure thing, Mr. Evans.”
    Ben’s easy manner and friendliness saddened Warren. He’d always liked Ben, ever since he’d brought him here from Salt Lake City thirteen years ago. Back then, Ben had been a homeless runaway, just one of the countless others Warren had given a hand up.
    Warren pulled himself out and patted the top of the car to send it off. He pushed aside the stinging in his feet and strode through the bustling crowd to the glass doors and into the plush office building. He rode the elevator twenty-one stories up and exited to one of his shell corporation’s headquarters. The attractive receptionist, who had no idea what business was transacted there, greeted him. “They are in the conference room waiting.”
    Warren liked to personally greet the new immigrants whenever possible. A good leader took the time to know his followers, and even though Warren wouldn’t go forward with them, giving them individual attention would create a more cohesive group.
    He entered the window-lined conference room with a grin. “Welcome to America. How was your flight?”
    The straight-backed man looked exhausted. From the carefully vetted application and extensive Skype interviews, Warren knew Hans had made a respectable fortune in construction in Germany. At forty-five, he’d never had any serious health issues, left behind no siblings, and his parents were deceased. His wife, Katrina, likewise had no extended family. They had brought their four children with them.
    Katrina and the children looked equally worn out by the overnight flight from Germany. Two boys, ages six and eight, sat together in one leather chair. The oldest, a girl of thirteen, blinked bleary eyes at Warren. Katrina leaned back in another chair with their youngest, a cherub with pink cheeks and dark ringlets who stretched across her lap, sleeping.
    Hans jumped to his feet and shook Warren’s hand with enthusiasm. “Mr. Evans. I’m honored. I had no idea you would meet us personally.” His English, though precise, was heavily accented and halting. Warren insisted all the immigrants speak English.
    At the sound of voices, the little girl opened her eyes. She flashed an immediate smile and sat up, rubbing a hand across her nose. With that minor transition between sleep and play, she slid off her mother’s lap and hopped to the two boys. Her little tennis shoes twinkled with lights in the heels.
    Hans glanced at her but didn’t give her his complete attention. He seemed oblivious to the precious gift of his daughter. Abundance bred