Recluse (Wolfes of Manhattan 2)

“I’m not sure that’s the case, Ms. Waters,” Father Jim said through the phone. “Derek did dote on Riley, but her brothers have probably poisoned her against him.”

What? I wasn’t sure what to say about that, so I changed the subject. “Thank you for your time, Father. I look forward to your service.”

“We’ll do it up Wolfe style, just the way Derek would have wanted,” he said.

Wolfe style? This was a memorial service, not a gala event. Though from what I’d seen of the wake plans at the Waldorf, it might as well be a gala. The portion at the church, though? That should be sacred and solemn.

“I’m sure everything will be perfect,” I said. “Thank you, Father. Goodbye.”

“Ms. Waters?”

“Yes?”

“How are the boys doing?”

“The boys?”

“Derek’s sons, of course. I hear Rock is home and is heading up the company.”

“That’s what Mr. Wolfe’s will mandated. Yes.”

“And Reid? How is he taking it?”

I cleared my throat. “I’m not sure I should be talking about my bosses.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. I’ve known all of them since they were little. They’re like my own kids, in a way. I’m sure Reid was disappointed that Derek didn’t choose him to take over the business.”

Hmm. Maybe Father Jim had some insight into Derek Wolfe.

“Father, may I ask you a question?”

“Of course, dear.”

“Why would Derek Wolfe have forced Rock to come back to New York? If you know, that is. Everyone was surprised by it.”

“I’ve known Derek Wolfe for decades,” he said, “and nothing he ever did surprised me, including this.”

“I’m not sure what that means.”

“It means, dear, that Derek Wolfe calculated everything he did in life. Everything had to lead to some kind of gain.”

“Financial, you mean.”

“My dear, financial gains aren’t the only type of gains in the world.”

“But Derek Wolfe was a businessman. He built an empire. To turn it over to a person unprepared to take the lead seems so…”

“Strange? Odd?” he said.

“Well…yeah.”

“But not surprising. At least not to me. He did it for some kind of gain.”

“Why? He’s dead. He no longer has anything to gain.”

“Not financially, no.”

“Not in any way, Father. The man is dead.”

“He is, yes.”

None of this was making any kind of sense. “All right, Father. Thank you for your time.”

“You’re most welcome, Ms. Waters. And if I may add one more piece of advice?”

“Uh…sure.” I guess.

“Derek Wolfe was a master manipulator. His success came at a cost, as everything does. But he never took his eyes off the gain, whatever gain he was after.”

“That’s hardly a piece of advice. Why are you telling me this?”

“Just being a good Samaritan, dear. Goodbye.”

I sat for a moment, staring at the wall in my office. I really should get a piece of artwork to hang there. For now, it was a blank wall. A blank screen.

A blank screen.

A blank…

A thought probed into my head.

I had to see Roy.40RoyCharlie hadn’t been kidding. She showed up at my place right after work. I’d already ordered food. I hadn’t thought for a minute that she wouldn’t show.

I’d had the day to figure out my plan. How to get her off this key business.

How to get myself off this key business.

I hadn’t come up with anything.

I’d painted all day, working on the piece I’d started yesterday. It was an abstract in blues and grays.

I stood, staring at her as she walked in after I opened the door, looking completely at home in my place. I liked that. I liked that a lot.

And damn, that red shirt looked way hotter on her than it had on whatever her name was.

I expected her to want to get right down to business—she’d expect me to start spilling about the key or lack thereof.

But she didn’t.

She gave me a quick hug and then pressed something into my hand.

I looked down. It was a business card.

“Dr. Alison Woolcott?” I asked.

“Yup. The best in the state, I’ve heard.”

“At what?”

She cleared her throat. “Guided hypnosis. I made an appointment for Lacey today.”

“Oh.”

“That’s who Lace chose, but if you’re more comfortable with a male therapist, she has a partner, Dr. Brett Aldrich, who’s supposed to be nearly as good.”

“I…uh…”

“No pressure,” she said. “You go on your own time. But…”

“But what?”

“Your own time is of the essence, with all of you being persons of interest in your dad’s murder.”

I couldn’t help a chuckle. “Go on my own time, you say. But not on my own time, really.”

She sighed. “Roy, it’s up to you. But it’s also up to you to get to the bottom of this if you think it will help you and your brothers and sister. You know that. You don’t need me to spell it out for you.”

I nodded. What else could I do?

“When is Lacey going in?”

“Monday at noon. Over lunch. It was all Dr. Woolcott had available on such short notice, other than evenings.”