Murder Most Persuasive by Tracy Kiely

her.”
    “Honestly, it’s been so long since I thought about Michael,” Frances was saying, oblivious of Reggie’s annoyance. “But I have to say, I never liked him. There was something about his face—his eyes were too close together, for one thing. I tried to warn Daddy at the time, but of course no one wanted to listen to me .”
    I glanced over at Ann in time to see her roll her eyes heavenward. Reggie raised her glass to her mouth—and kept it there a very long time. Taking the bottle back from Reggie, I offered wine to the others.
    “Well, he had me fooled,” said Miles after accepting a glass. “I was never more surprised than when I found out what he’d done.” He glanced down at his hands, his face etched with regret. “I always felt that I let Marty down somehow. I should have noticed what was going on.”
    Laura grabbed his hand; it looked almost childlike against Miles’s large and calloused one. “This is not your fault,” she said firmly. “No one suspected Michael of being a thief.” Frances shifted in her seat and appeared to be about to speak, when Laura shot her a quelling look and repeated, “No one.”
    Frances sniffed and turned her face, but at least she took the hint and didn’t reiterate her ludicrous claim.
    “What I can’t believe is that he’s dead,” said Laura. “Murdered, in fact!”
    Frances twisted her lips. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised now that I’ve thought about it. He was a criminal. Criminals usually come to a bad end. And to think that Joe is in charge of it all!” Looking to Ann, she asked, “Did you know he was going to be on the case?”
    “No. I was as surprised as anyone.”
    “He hasn’t changed much, has he?”
    “No,” said Ann, “he hasn’t,” her face starting to crumple.
    Laura saw this and quickly changed the subject. “Well, what I wonder is, who do you think could have killed Michael?”
    Frances shrugged. “He probably had an accomplice or something. Maybe Michael tried to double-cross him or something.”
    “I wonder if the police will ever find the killer,” said Scott. “I mean, can they after all this time?”
    “I doubt it,” answered Frances.
    “Well, in any case, I think we should consult with a lawyer,” said Miles. “I would imagine that we haven’t seen the last of the police.”
    “Miles, don’t be absurd!” Frances scoffed. “We don’t need a lawyer! No one who knows us would ever think that one of us could have had anything to do with this!”
    “I agree. As soon as we hire a lawyer, we’ll look guilty,” added Reggie. Frances nodded in agreement.
    “I don’t know,” said Scott, “I think Miles has a point. It’s a precautionary move and I don’t necessarily think it indicates guilt.”
    “But we’re Reynoldses!” said Frances. “Our family has an excellent reputation. That must count for something.”
    “Frances!” Ann burst out. “Our name might mean ‘quality construction’ to some, but that hardly translates to inculpability!”
    “Girls! This isn’t getting us anywhere!” said Miles, raising his hands. “I think we need to face the very real possibility that the police are going to want to ask all of us a lot more questions and will view us with more than a little suspicion. Having a lawyer on hand to guide us will only help us, not hurt us.”
    “I agree,” Scott said, to the obvious annoyance of Frances, who crossed her arms across her chest and shot him a mutinous look.
    “Why don’t I call Stephen Guilford?” said Miles. Stephen Guilford had been the family lawyer for years.
    Scott nodded. “He’s a good guy. He’ll know what to do. He was really good with Reggie’s first divorce.”
    “And her second,” added Frances.
    “And her third,” said Ann with a smile.
    Reggie good-naturedly rolled her eyes. “And no doubt one day he’ll be wonderful with my fourth. Point taken, ladies.”
    “So I’ll call him in the morning?” asked Miles.
    “Fine. Call him.