Val immediately grew paranoid but thought for a second. Tact. She needed to be tactful. But that didn’t happen. “What was said about me?” she blurted.

Candace maintained a cool and even tone. “Well, far be it from me to say, but it was about how you were hired.”

Val could feel her face grow hot and her stomach flipped. “What was wrong with how I was hired?”

“Oh, nothing at all. Just some, and let me just say that I am not part of the some…” Candace put one hand on her chest and waved the other one in the air to emphasize insincere non-involvement in the gossip. “Well, these people are just a little concerned that you have no…” She whispered the last word, “experience.”

“They don’t need to be worried about me. I can hold my own.” Val’s worst fears had come true. The fact that she had no experience was exposed. Julia had warned her to be ready for this.

“Oh I know. And I’m not judging. I just thought you ought to know about the things being said about you behind your back. Everyone is wondering why Oliver would recommend someone for this job who’s never been a death investigator before.” Candace took a sip of her soda and pointed to several pictures. “These are from the last party we had. Oliver was still alive then. Doesn’t he look good? Who would have thought he’d drop dead two weeks later.”

Val didn’t know what to say. She felt as if she was being baited. The wrong answer would place the hook firmly in her mouth. There were two men in the pictures that she didn’t know. One looked like he could run a marathon and the other seemed as if he needed a wheelchair. The wrong answer could get her fired. She opened her mouth to respond, but Julia quickly arrived by her side.

“I miss Oliver so much,” she said, placing a finger on the image of the man who might have needed a wheelchair. She stroked it in a caring manner and then smiled at Val.

Candace stayed only a moment more before walking away. As soon as she was gone Julia said, “I have to run. My lawyer’s waiting for me and I’m looking forward to meeting with him. I know what’s going on, and I’m ready for it. There’s no way Colin’s going to win this.” She touched Val’s arm. “I think we’ll need an extra bottle of wine to celebrate tomorrow.”

12

When Julia arrived at The Towne Restaurant, she saw her lawyer, Bradley Underwood sitting at a table by the window. He was waving, trying to get her attention.

“Sorry I’m late. Things have just been hectic. More remains were found from that murder case. The ones with the teeth removed,” she said, picking up the menu, glancing at the Greek choices.