Sleight of Hand by Kate Wilhelm Page A

the drop of a soda can. People at the dealership were pretty tight-lipped, but he was not universally loved there, either. A stickler for keeping things clean, following rules, his rules. Not motives for bumping him off, just a general attitude that suggests they aren't going to spend a lot of time grieving. When guys begin bumping off bosses they don't like there'll be a real shortage of management. He was involved in a deal to get his hands on two other lots, used cars here in Eugene, a lot for used SUVs, trucks, vans in Salem. It would have taken a million up front to close the deal."
    "He didn't have a million up front," Frank said. "Millions in possessions, nowhere near that kind of cash at hand. Like farmers, land rich, cash poor. Or at least not rolling in it."
    Bailey consulted his notebook. A folder he had placed on the table had his full reports with details. "No big black car yet," he said. "Not one that belongs to anyone involved, or else is unaccounted for. No autopsy yet for Connie Wilkins, full name Constantina. Why would anyone hang a name like that on a helpless baby? She was pretty battered by rocks and stuff, wave action. It's going to take a few more days, a week. A special FBI pathologist was called in. Her sister will fly in to claim the remains and take her home."
    Jay's only living relatives were his two children, and one distant cousin in New Hampshire, Bailey continued. "The Gormandi and Breaux shop is solvent, not making a fortune, but providing an okay living for the two partners after a couple of rough years during the recession. And no one at the Cedar View hospital will even admit that Eve Wilkins is a patient from time to time. Period," Bailey said, closing his notebook.
    "And for this I pay your outrageous fees," Barbara said. "Okay. I'll have more in a couple of days, probably."
    He helped himself to more coffee.
    "Anything about the people who sued Wilkins?"
    He shook his head. "The manager got canned, and walked into another job just like the last one. Seems innovative sales managers are in high demand. The guys who sued got a small settlement and moved on. And that's it."
    Later, Barbara sat at her desk thinking about various things Bailey had reported.
    Adele, she decided.
    "I understand that Connie Wilkins s sister will fly out to claim her body and take her home," she said. "Will you be seeing her when she's here?"
    Adele hesitated, then said, "I've talked to her. She's pretty torn up over this, blaming herself and her brother for not doing something when they could have. She'll stay at my place while she's in town. Why do you ask?"
    "I want to talk to her," Barbara said. "Like you, I think the idea of suicide stinks to high heaven."
    "That really doesn't answer my question," Adele said after another hesitation. "What does Connie's death have to do with you, and Jay's death?"
    "I honestly don't know," Barbara said. "My client is accused of killing him, and I know he's innocent. I want some answers, too. Maybe we can help each other."
    "I'll see what I can do, but no promises."
    "Good enough. Thanks, Adele."
    She hung up and thought some more. After another moment, she placed a second call, this time to Randolf Berman, who had been Jay's attorney and was now in charge of the estate.
    "Ms. Holloway, what can I do for you?" he asked in his best lawyerly manner.
    "As you may know, I am the defense attorney for Wallis Lederer, who has been charged with the murder of Jay Wilkins," she said, just as smoothly. "I understand the scene of the crime has been unsealed by the investigators and is under your supervision. I want permission to inspect the scene."
    His voice was noticeably cooler when he said, "I'm afraid that would be very inconvenient at this time. There are two estates to settle, and at present an inventory of the house contents is underway. On completion of that both estates require appraisals, and this will all take a good bit of time. If I can get back in touch with you at a later