“Not that I ever heard,” Melba said. “Those kids are smart, though, and one of them’s really talented. I heard her sing in the church choir. She has a beautiful voice, and the last I heard she was off to one of those high-toned music schools back east. I think she wants to be an opera singer.”

That wouldn’t be cheap, I thought. Godfrey’s money could make all the difference, if he were inclined to help.

I chatted a few minutes longer with Melba, but she had no further skeletons to reveal. I finally ended the call and put my phone aside.

Diesel was sound asleep in my lap, and my legs were beginning to ache a bit from his weight. I woke him gently and shifted him off my lap to the floor. He blinked up at me, yawned, and hopped on the bed where he went back to sleep.

I got up and stretched my legs before going into the bathroom for a drink of water. My throat was dry after the long conversation with Melba.

After I brushed my teeth I climbed into bed beside Diesel, thankful that for once he had left me plenty of room, so I didn’t have to move him.

I lay there in the dark for a while, thinking about all Melba had told me. Godfrey had caused a lot of heartache—as had his mother and father, apparently. But out of all those sad little stories, was there one relevant to Godfrey’s death?

The one that seemed like the only real possibility was that Godfrey had a half brother. I could see where Rick might resent his brother, especially since Godfrey had become rich and famous while he had to struggle just to get by.

Even if Rick resented Godfrey, though, was that a strong enough motive for murder? From what Melba told me, it didn’t sound likely to me that Godfrey would have put Rick and his family in his will. There was probably no monetary gain, then, from Godfrey’s death.

Or could it have been the product of sheer envy, turned deadly by years of disappointment and resentment?

Troubled by these questions, I had a hard time going to sleep. Eventually I drifted off, Diesel by my side.

When the alarm sounded the next morning, I felt groggy and inclined to stay in bed. My sleep hadn’t been restful, and I knew I’d be logy all day. Diesel poked his nose close to mine and warbled at me. When I didn’t move, he put a paw on my arm and warbled again.

I opened my eyes and glared at him. “Oh, all right. I’ll get up. I’m sure you’ll faint from hunger if I don’t get up and feed you right this minute.”