AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They next drove to the Randolphs’ estate. The police were still there, and they were allowed inside. They were surprised to find Christine Hanover in the room where her parents had died, holding the picture of them that had been knocked to the floor.
Christine wore a pale blue day dress and black flats. A string of small pearls encircled her slender neck. Her light blond hair skimmed her shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” said Jack. “The deputy outside didn’t tell us anyone was here.”
“It’s all right. I just came to collect a few mementos.”
“Christine, this is Desiree DuBose, my co-counsel.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss DuBose.”
“Likewise. My condolences on your loss. And please, make it Desiree.”
“And I’m Christine.” She held up the damaged photo. “I’ll have to get this repaired. It’s the only one of them we have before they were married.”
“Nice to remember them by,” said Jack.
“Yes, it is.” She glanced at the bloodied carpet and then quickly looked away.
“While you’re here, can we ask you some questions?” asked Jack.
“Okay. But I don’t have much time.”
“It won’t take long. You and your husband were out of town when it happened?”
She paled and looked distraught. “Washington, D.C. Gordon is the president of Virginia Trust Bank and was testifying before Congress on some financial regulations, and was also attending some meetings. I just went along to do some shopping and see some of the sights. With the children at camp we had planned to stay the weekend. Then the news arrived about my parents. We got home around two that morning. My brother had already identified the bodies. I couldn’t bring myself to go to the house. I sat home and bawled my eyes out. But I finally pulled myself together and we came here.”
“And that’s when I saw you and Gordon,” noted Jack.
“That’s right.”
“Do you know the terms of your parents’ will?”
“No. I assumed they would leave everything to Sam and me—my deceased siblings died young and had no children. I suppose the lawyer will tell us.”
Jack nodded. “Curtis Gates. You know him?”
“Yes, he handles our estate matters, too. We recommended him to my parents.”
“Do you know what a tontine is?” asked Jack.
“No, I’ve never even heard the word.”
Jack explained about the terms of the will and how the house and property had been split off from the rest of the estate.
“That is quite odd,” Christine commented.
“Is your brother having money and health problems?”
“His divorce was hard. And Sam has his... challenges. He’s not working right now. And you’re right, his health is not good.”
“What’s wrong with him?” asked DuBose.
“I don’t know, really. But just looking at him it seems serious.”
“So any money coming from the estate will be welcome to him?” said Jack.
“Look, the fact is my parents’ cash ran out a while ago. Gordon and I have been supporting them for the last few years.”
