Karen laughed. “I understand. I’m so happy for you! I hate to bring this up, but you know the partners aren’t going to take this lying down. Even though Morty’s will is pretty airtight as far as I can see, they’re going to fight the will after it’s probated. Count on it. And they’re going to say nasty things about you. I have to warn you, Mare, it could get ugly. At the very least, they’re probably going to accuse you of sleeping with Mortimer.”

“Sleeping with him? Ewww! I’d rather die first.”

“You and me both, sister. Even though the paramedics said it looked like a clear-cut heart attack, the partners are going to demand an autopsy. So don’t be counting all that wonderful wampum just yet.”

“I won’t. Thanks, Karen. For being such a good friend. For everything.”

“You can thank me properly later, Mare, when I hit you up for a great big loan. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I didn’t have time to savor my windfall as the shadows shifted as I hung up. Movement where the driveway dropped down behind the house drew me closer. A rustle of branches startled me out of my euphoria.

I searched the dark. “Hello?” I called out.

Curiosity trumping fear—and good sense—I crept toward the sound rather than away from it, like the witless victim in a horror movie. Probably just a stray dog or cat, I rationalized. I tiptoed halfway down the walkway, armed with a broken branch from the crab apple tree. “Who’s there?”

An outline lurched forward into the light.

“Mom?” I gasped, pressing a palm to my frantic heart.

“Hi, Marin. I was just parking behind the house.”

“You almost gave me a friggin’ heart attack!” I exclaimed.

I thought I was glad to see Debra, until I saw she wasn’t glad to see me. She didn’t speak, only shot me a withering Obama Frown. For a petite white woman, she had the expression down pat.

“Sorry to scare you, but I couldn’t help overhear your conversation. What’s this about someone being dead and you being the beneficiary?”

I could see how when heard out of context, it could raise some concern.

“It’s my boss. Apparently he died tonight and left me his money. What’s crazy is that I was planning to quit…and then this happened. This money could change everything for me and Cody!”

Another judgmental silence. Another Obama Frown. Why didn’t she share my joy?

“What’s wrong, Mom?” I ventured. This was not the sweet mother-in-law I knew and adored.

“It’s awfully suspicious timing, is all. And what makes you think Cody will even want that horrible man’s money?”