“Pardon me. I didn’t hear you clearly.”

“Don’t gloat, Ellison. No one likes gloating.”

This from a world-class gloater.

She adjusted her sunglasses. “My money is on Thatch Cooke.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I’ve heard things.” Mother could be infuriating.

“What things?”

“He'd do anything to hold on to the managing partner job. Makes me wonder why.”

“What do you mean?”

“If I were a partner in that firm, I'd demand an audit.”

“Any other suspects?”

“Merit.” She tsked. “The whole family is crazy. Her father used to walk around with his suit coat on backward, his arms straight out in front, and groan like Frankenstein’s monster. It was unnerving.”

“It was Halloween.”

“It’s still odd behavior for an adult.”

“Any other reason you suspect Merit?” I lowered my voice now that we were close enough to be overheard.

“Merit’s brother sued over the estate,” Mother whispered. “I believe Graham represented him.”

“What was at issue?”

“Money. Lots of money. And Merit’s brother won.”

“No wonder Merit called Graham a money-grubber.”

“That woman. She thinks she's better than mere mortals, but she cares about money like the rest of us.”

“She had a reason to kill Graham. But Buffy?”

Mother sniffed. “Don’t expect me to solve Anarchy’s case for him.”

“Mom.” Grace bowled into me, and I hugged her tightly.

“How’s Anarchy?” she demanded. “Have you talked to him?”

“Yes. Thanks to your grandmother, I talked to him a little while ago. He’ll be fine.”

“A snake.” She shuddered. “Did you almost die when it happened?”

“I swear my heart stopped beating.”

She grinned. “I bet. Come on.” She tugged on my arm. “I’m starving.”

We perused the buffet—biscuits, gravy, Misty’s homemade strawberry jam, the vegetarian strata she’d mentioned, bacon, fresh fruit, butter-streusel coffee cake, sliced ham, and roasted potatoes.

“This looks marvelous,” said Mother. High praise, indeed.

“I had a biscuit earlier. It was heavenly.”

We filled our plates and headed to the table, where Misty’s staff had added two place settings.

Libba and Charlie sat down across from us, and Mother and Charlie discussed the hospital where Charlie worked and Mother sat on the board. Chaired the board.

Thatch joined us and offered Mother a sunny grin. "Good morning, Mrs. Walford."

Mother acknowledged his greeting with a regal nod. "Good morning."

“Did Charlie tell you the firm will be withdrawing as counsel in Dr. Adams’ suit against the hospital?”

Mother’s nostrils flared. “I’m surprised anyone in your firm took the case in the first place.”

“Graham didn’t consult us. He ascertained there was no conflict of interest, then took Adams on as a client.”

“That is the bar by which you choose your cases? No conflict of interest?”

Thatch looked mildly panicked, as if he thought he was wading in shallow water, but suddenly discovered he was swimming in the deep ocean.

I ate my biscuit and enjoyed the show.