"Gischler, Victor - The Scent Of Jasmine" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gischler Victor)

"Please. I like the smell of a good cigar. It reminds me of my husband."

"This ain't what I'd call a good cigar."

"He wasn't much of a husband."

I found a kitchen match in my jacket pocket, struck it under the counter and puffed my cigar to life. "Mrs. Caruthers, in this state, a dead husband's assets revert automatically to the wife if he dies without a will. Your son was twenty years older than Liddy, and they've been married less than a year. The motive is clear if a little cliche'd, and the police don't have much of an imagination."

"I'm aware of how it looks, Mr. Samson."

"If she inherits, where does that leave you?"

Olivia scowled. "Out in the cold, I suppose. But surely that's a reason to keep my son alive, not kill him."

"Unless he'd already drafted a will leaving everything to Liddy."

"Then you'd need to ask Art Weaver about that. He was my son's lawyer. Good luck getting him to talk."


Art Weaver admitted me to his shiny glass and steel office with all the warmth and hospitality of an ice pick. We sat on opposite sides of his bunker-like desk and glared at each other.

"Mr. Weaver, as I'm sure you know by now, I'm representing Liddy Caruthers interests."

"Yes, Liddy's told me all about you. Personally, I think your services are a waste of money, and I told her so myself. Still, I guess it's up to her. Ask your questions, Mr. Samson. I'll do my best to answer them."

"Did Ike Caruthers have a will?"

"That's privileged information."

I shrugged. "Not really. Ike's dead, and as a lawyer I'm sure you're aware of the implications involving this state's inheritance laws."

"Okay," said Weaver. "It doesn't matter now. As a matter of fact, he did have a will. I'll save you the trouble of asking your next question. In the will, Ike gave me complete power of attorney."

"How nice for you."

"It had nothing to do with me," snapped Weaver. "Olivia's getting to be that age. She's not able to take care of herself, and Ike simply wanted someone to manage her affairs, make sure she's provided for."

"That's before Liddy."

"Well, yes. Ike had made these arrangements about three years ago."

I popped another cigar in my mouth. "Did Ike or Liddy approach you about changing the will?"

He spread his hands on his desk. "No. They hadn't mentioned it. It's their business, of course. Please don't light that." He meant the cigar.

"If I could just show you one more thing." I placed an appointment book on Weaver's desk and turned it around to face him. "Do you recognize any of these names?"

He scanned the list. "Two are other lawyers. I know Ron Greenbladt from the club. I don't know the others."

I said, "Actually all five are lawyers. I spent some time with the phone book checking it out. These are Ike Caruthers' appointments for next week. Do you know why he might need to see other lawyers?"