I took another flower from the tray and tapped it. "Meg told me that professional genealogy is a dog-eat-dog world, but she was a big dog. And Trinity said Meg's death didn't surprise her, that genealogy is a hazardous business. And at the wedding, there was a woman who jumped all over Meg for something she had found in her family tree. Called her a bitch."

"That's wild." Haley reached for another impatien. We were both quiet for several minutes. Then, "Where's Meg's computer?" she asked.

"At Sister's. So is the other briefcase. Why?"

Haley brushed her hands off and took a swallow of beer. "Well, you said Judge Haskins was working on some genealogy, too. Seems to me the first family you would look up would be your own. So I can't think this great great grandfather could have been much of a surprise."

"But he had kept it a secret. Apparently, Meg had threatened to expose it."

"Did he seem angry in the restaurant?"

I tried to remember. "No. Surprised she was there. Pleased he'd found something she'd missed. Said he would show her if she'd let him see one of her files."

"What was it he'd found? Do you remember?"

"Something about a Mobile family that Meg was researching. I can't remember their name."

"Hmmm." Haley reached for the last of the flowers. "You really don't think she committed suicide, do you, Mama?"

"My first thought was that, yes, she had. But her sister says absolutely not. And Meg certainly didn't act at lunch like she was at all depressed."

"But it's still a possibility."

I stood up and rubbed my knees. "She was so afraid of heights, she wouldn't get close to the wall up at The Club. I think someone pushed her out of the window."

Haley handed me the empty tray and trowels. "If someone did, I'll bet the reason is in that computer."

"Could be."

"Let's go get it."

"Haley!"

"Well, Mama, this is intriguing."

"What's in that computer is none of our business. Besides, neither of us knows a thing about genealogy."

"Philip does. He's done some research on his family. He knows computers, too."

I walked to the garbage can and threw the plastic trays m. Even busy doctors were finding time to look

up their family histories? Was there a whole ground-swell here I had missed out on?

Haley followed me. "He showed me the Nachman pedigree chart. It's interesting."

I put the lid back on the garbage. ' 'Pedigree chart, huh?"

"That's what it's called."

"Any horse thieves or bastards?"

"Nope. But Aunt Sister was on it. And Debbie and the twins."

"Aunt Sister on a pedigree chart? She'll be thrilled to hear it." I thought for a moment. "And who did they put down as the twins' father?"

"Left it blank." Haley grinned. "Sort of put things in perspective."

We were going up the back steps when the cordless phone that I had forgotten and left in the yard rang. Haley ran back to get it.