“I have already done so. Her parents live in Westchester; they’re arranging for a local funeral director to pick up the body as soon as it’s released. I’m paying the funeral expenses, of course.”
“Have you mentioned that to her parents yet?”
“No. I thought I’d wait until they were over the initial shock.”
“If I may sound like a lawyer for a moment, be sure that when you make the offer you be clear that it’s an act of friendship toward a valued colleague. Don’t say anything that might imply any sense of guilt or liability for what happened. From what you’ve told me and from what the trooper said, you’ve no reason to feel badly about the accident.”
“Thank you, Stone, that’s good advice.”
“Would you like me to drive you back to the city?”
“No, thank you. I’ll stay the night and drive myself back tomorrow. I’d really like to be alone, unless, of course, you and Arrington would like to stay.”
“Thanks, but I think we’ll go back today. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“I don’t believe so, Stone; thank you for coming, though, and please drive carefully going back to town.” She saw them to the door.
On the way back, Arrington spoke up. “Do you believe her?”
Stone didn’t want to answer that question directly. “I don’t have any real evidence to make me disbelieve her,” he said.
“I thought it was an act,” Arrington said.
“What?”
“Her grief. Her composure wasn’t an act, though; that lady is in perfect control.”
“Are you saying you think Amanda murdered Martha?”
“Let’s just say that I don’t think she’s terribly upset about it.”
“I can’t disagree with that,” Stone said, then changed the subject. After all, Amanda was still his client.
Amanda picked up the phone and called one of her two assistants. “Helen?”
“Yes, Amanda?”
“I’m afraid I have some very bad news. Martha has been killed in an accidental fall.”
“Oh, my God!”
“Yes, it’s terrible, isn’t it?”
“That’s just awful!”
“Of course it is. We’re going to have to learn very quickly to get along without her help. I’d like you to take Martha’s job; there’ll be a substantial raise, of course.”
“I’ll be happy to, if it will help,” Helen said.
“I’m in the country now. Can you meet me at the office at one o’clock tomorrow? We have to get you started in your new position.”
“Of course.”
“See you then, darling. Oh, and would you call Barry and tell him what’s happened? I’m really too stricken to talk anymore now.”
“I’ll do that. You try and get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”
“Thank you, dear. Good-bye.” Amanda threw another log on the fire and sat, staring into the flames, making mental notes on what had to be done the following day.