Still under ‘medical observation’ in Twentynine Palms. I should be discharged by early next week. We need to talk.

But I didn’t want to talk to Todor.

There was another message. From Elise’s lawyers.

We are trying to reach you on an urgent matter …

Thirty miles further south on the Interstate I pulled into a rest stop. I used the men’s room. I bought a bad coffee. I called the number that the law firm had texted me. I was put through to a guy named Dwight Simplon. He asked if I was in Los Angeles. I told him I was out of town.

‘Have you been following the news? Have you heard that Mrs Flouton was killed several nights ago?’

‘Yes, I did hear that. I was … shocked.’

‘We all are. Her husband was one of the founding partners of the firm – and even after his death Elise kept a keen interest in our goings-on here. We all considered her a class act. And we are appalled at the circumstances of her death. When might you be back in LA, sir?’

‘Late tonight.’

‘Might you be able to come in to see us as soon as your schedule permits?’

‘I suppose so … but why do you need to see me, Mr Simplon?’

‘I’d rather we talk face-to-face.’

‘It’s that serious?’

‘Well … yes, I suppose.’

‘Mr Simplon, I will be driving for the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening. Please don’t leave me in suspense. Please tell me what is going on here.’

I could hear a long intake of breath on the phone. Then:

‘All right. If you insist. Mrs Flouton left her apartment in Los Angeles to you.’

twenty-three

I WAS CONFUSED. Very confused.

‘I don’t understand, sir,’ I told Dwight Simplon.

He said:

‘Mrs Flouton owned an apartment on Malcolm Avenue near the UCLA campus. She owned it outright. No mortgage. And she left it to you – along with the sum of $24,000 to cover the apartment’s $1,000 per month maintenance charge for the first two years.’

Because she knew that I could hardly afford $1,000 a month – and would default on those payments immediately. Elise: she seemed to think ahead. Especially when it came to the needs of others.

‘I still don’t understand: why didn’t her daughter get the place?’

‘I can’t discuss how Mrs Flouton decided to distribute her estate. I am just telling you the legal facts of the matter. You are now the owner of Mrs Flouton’s apartment. Can we see you at our offices at, say, twelve noon tomorrow?’

‘That should work,’ I said.