Death by Betrayal by Abigail Keam

Author:Abigail Keam
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Kentucky
ISBN: 9781953478184
Publisher: Worker Bee Press
Published: 2024-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

26

Matt and I met Shaneika in her office to discuss the lawsuit.

Shaneika asked, “Josiah, do you have the money to fight this lawsuit?”

I replied, “Well, it depends. How much money are we discussing?”

“Even if you win, it will cost from fifty to a hundred thousand. If there are appeals—a lot more.”

“I’ve got it,” I said, my heart sinking. There goes this year’s income and maybe next year’s, too. “Can we countersue?”

Shaneika made some notes on her legal pad. “Yes. I think we should and ask for damages plus lawyer fees. I thought it odd the letter was one of intent. They haven’t actually filed with the court yet.”

Matt interjected, “I think the letter is a warning. Rattling Josiah’s cage. I don’t think they really mean to file. I think they expect Josiah to reply with some sort of settlement offer.”

I bit my lip. “Ellen Boudreaux is dead serious. She wants to get her hands on the Butterfly as revenge. She has never forgiven me for Brannon’s death. I wouldn’t let her see him in the hospital before he died.”

“Understandable,” Shaneika said, writing on a legal pad. “Does Ellen have the money to pursue this lawsuit?”

“Of course she does! She has all my money Brannon hid from me, unless she spent it,” I snapped.

“What about Prudence Strieber?” Matt asked.

Shaneika leaned back in her leather Eames office chair. “I’d say nil. I’ve checked around. She’s got enough money to live on until she dies if she doesn’t live past eighty-five. Apparently, she’s on a fixed income.”

“So it is Ellen driving this forward,” Matt said, narrowing his blue eyes. “Maybe I should talk to her.”

“Those women are two cats sharing a litter box. You won’t get far with either one of them,” I huffed.

Matt chuckled. “I don’t know, Josiah. I’ve been known to charm a woman or two in my life.”

I resisted the urge to comment. Matt was catnip to both men and women.

“Let’s stay on track. I’ve got some news about Axel Rod,” Shaneika offered.

Matt and I straightened in our chairs.

Seeing she had our undivided attention, Shaneika said, “He lives in California under the alias of Bob Axel. He is a real estate developer and has a company by the name of Axel Construction LLC. He’s been indicted twice for fraud, but never convicted. Axel is slick—very slick.”

I started to say something, but Shaneika cut me off. “Let me finish please. He’s in jail for domestic abuse. Drake is flying out to interview him as a person of interest in the death of Zane Talbot.”

“How do you know this? I don’t think you got a call from Drake?” Matt asked, admiringly.

“I have contacts in the police department. Don’t you, Matt?”

He didn’t answer.

“Has the ME concluded the manner of Talbot’s death? I thought it was left as undetermined,” I commented.

“The discovery of the gun in the shed has tipped the scales on Talbot’s death as very suspicious. The police are digging further to see what they come up with.”

“What about this lawyer at the property transfer—Barbara Navarro?” I asked.

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