Sound of Murder: Murder hits the Country and Western music scene... (Casey Farrell Mysteries Book 4) by Patricia Matthews & Clayton Matthews

Author:Patricia Matthews & Clayton Matthews [Matthews, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2022-03-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

The office of Chris Waters, Billy Joe’s lawyer, was downtown on Third Avenue, only a few blocks from the old Ryman Auditorium. It was a small office, with only a secretary in the reception area.

Casey had to wait only a few minutes after announcing herself to the secretary, then the door to the inner office opened, and a tall, skinny man of around forty stood framed there.

“Mrs Farrell?” he said in a deep, bass voice, incongruous in a man with so little heft to him. “Please come in.”

Casey handed him her card as she stepped past him into the room.

He took it and nodded. “I know who you are. I talked to Arlene today at the house. Please have a seat.”

The inner office was small. Bookshelves lined the walls, and law journals were stacked on almost every piece of furniture, including the well-worn desk. The office was definitely untidy, yet there was a certain sense of orderliness about it, as though Waters could immediately locate anything he needed.

He went around the desk, and lowered himself into the leather chair with a sigh, as Casey studied him. He was not at all a handsome man, but there was something attractive about him. His lank brown hair was receding, but the brown eyes behind the black, horn-rimmed glasses were bright and alert. Laugh lines crinkled the corners of his eyes. Now his wide mouth shaped a weary smile as he gestured with a long, thin hand.

“Please excuse the mess. Miriam, my secretary, is always at me to neaten things up, and threatens to do it herself; but I tell her that I know where everything is; if she straightens it, I’ll never find anything. Now, what is it you want to know?”

Casey leaned forward. “First, exactly what legal matters did you handle for Billy Joe?”

Waters leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “Billy Joe had me on retainer. I handled all contracts for Baker Enterprises; gave legal advice and handled anything that required the services of an attorney.”

“What kinds of things would those be?”

Waters shrugged. “So far, not much. But Billy Joe was becoming better known every day — in short, he was becoming famous. When a performer becomes famous, they become a target for litigation, particularly from people filing nuisance suits, hoping to get a quick settlement.”

“The records show that some time ago Billy Joe was arrested for assault. Were you his lawyer then?”

Waters shook his head. “Nope. Never even heard about it. Truthfully, I’m surprised. I’ve never known Billy to be violent.”

Casey nodded. “Well, he was younger then. Do you manage any of the corporate monies — advise on investments, anything like that?”

“No. I’m not into money management. Edgar Pace and Mrs Baker Senior handle the money.”

Casey made a note in her book, then looked up. “Speaking of Edgar Pace, I have been informed by two reliable witnesses that Billy Joe suspected Pace of embezzlement, and was about to confront him concerning his suspicions. Did Billy Joe mention this to you?”

Water’s lips drew into a thin line, and the dark eyes lost their twinkle.

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