Greta Calls

By sunrise, Martin's grief face was on every local news site.

Not because June's upload proved murder. It did not. It proved something more useful to gossip and donors: Martin had threatened to keep Elise from trust control while Vivian was still alive and while he was still telling everyone Vivian died in a roadside crash.

Public image was Martin's first bank. June had made a withdrawal.

Elise watched the clip spread from a police conference room with an ice pack on her shoulder. Adam sat across from her, alive and useless. Claire sat beside June, not touching her because June had made that rule with one look.

Roslyn entered with bad coffee and worse news.

"Dane Lott is asking for counsel," she said. "He will not give Martin."

"Money?" Elise asked.

"Fear."

Those were often the same account.

Theo came in behind Roslyn with his laptop. "The bank suspended my credentials."

Elise sat up. "Because of the override?"

"Because someone leaked that I helped you pull trust data."

Claire looked at him. "Martin."

Theo shrugged. "Or someone who wants Martin to look like the only spider."

"Do not get clever," Adam said. "It is Martin."

Elise studied her brother. "You say that now because Dane has a gun charge."

Adam's face tightened. "I say it because Martin called me last night while Dane had me tied up. He told me pain was a cleaner teacher than Vivian."

The room went quiet.

June whispered, "He said that?"

Adam nodded without looking at her.

Roslyn leaned over him. "Why did you not tell me before?"

"Because I was ashamed."

"Shame is not privileged."

Elise almost laughed, but her phone rang again.

This time the caller ID was Greta Sloane.

Elise answered.

An older woman's voice said, "Vivian told me you would call after they tried to kill you. Are they still only trying?"