In essence, Julia cancelled the policy so that Lauren and Colin wouldn’t benefit from a multi-million-dollar award, but she hired a lawyer that would have cost her a considerable sum. This meant that she had the money to pay him.

“She called my office one day and made an appointment. It was that simple.” Bradley sat behind a cheaply made desk, which Val guessed was veneered and not solid wood. The carpeting in both the office and hallway was standard industrial-grade steel gray, worn in many places by years of traffic. Mass-produced art hung on the walls. As she looked around at the unimpressive surroundings, Val couldn’t help but wonder how and why Julia picked Bradley Underwood as her lawyer.

“And you were paid privately?” Jack asked.

“Yes.”

“What is your retainer?” Val joined in.

“Twenty thousand.”

She was stunned at the amount and fought hard not to show it on her face. “Is that all you asked for in this case?”

“No. I also have an hourly fee once the retainer is exhausted. I usually ask for this to be paid as a lump sum at the end.”

“How much did that total up to the date she died?” Val asked a little too quickly, not thinking the question all the way through.

Bradley looked at her oddly. “I’m really not at liberty to divulge that kind of information.”

Val took a deep breath. “Okay. Hypothetically, if someone were to hire your services, and you were to put in the same amount of time as you did in Julia’s case up until her death, what would a ballpark figure be?”

Bradley shrugged his shoulders.

“Over twenty thousand?” Val pressed.

“Possibly. Give or take.” Bradley smiled and Val couldn’t help but think that amount was definitely on the give end.

Val decided to go out on a limb here. “Didn’t you think it was strange that she gave you cash and not a check for the retainer?” It had to have been in cash. There was no record of Julia paying by check.

“No. She was going through a divorce, as you must know. Her husband was after her money and it was easier for her this way.”

Julia paid twenty thousand in cash? Val thought.

“As far as the lump sum payment at the end then, weren’t you worried how Julia would be able to pay? I mean, how could she compensate you in the end if she also had to give Lauren a large award? Julia would be broke. Neither of you would get anything.”

“What do you mean?” Bradley shook his head in confusion. “Julia’s malpractice policy would have covered any award.”

Val grew puzzled. “But Julia had no malpractice insurance.”

“That’s incorrect. She had a pretty large policy. Ten million from what I recall,” Bradley said confidently.