The Mourning After by Masur Harold Q

Author:Masur, Harold Q.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Published: 1981-01-10T00:00:00+00:00

11

I had been back in my office about an hour when two female visitors were announced, one large and one small. It seemed a coincidence because they had been mentioned during my conversation with the banker, Denton. The large one was not really all that large, about five-four with a sad face and tired sparrow pockets under smudged eyes. The small one, about eight years old, was wearing a woolly hat with a tassel and a shoulder strap from which dangled a minuscule red patent-leather purse.

“Mrs. Ira Erlich,” my secretary said and closed the door.

“And I’m Rachel Erlich,” the little girl proclaimed.

This seemed to be a day for the families of my fellow victims at the bank. I bowed formally and said, “How do you do, Rachel.”

“Not very well.”

“That’s too bad. You have a problem?”

“Yes. My teacher scolded me this morning.”

“Were you naughty?”

“I didn’t do my homework.”

“And did you have an excuse?”

“Yes. I’ve been upset about Ira.”

I lifted an eyebrow at Mrs. Erlich, who said, “She calls us both by our first names. Ira thought it was cute.”

“Are you a lawyer?” Rachel asked me.

“A pretty good one, Rachel. I always did my homework, and that’s why I passed the bar examination first time out.”

“I don’t like lawyers.”

I blinked at her. “Why don’t you like lawyers?”

“Ira said you have to watch them all the time, or they’ll steal you blind.”

Martha Erlich reprimanded her sharply. “Rachel! That’s not nice. Apologize at once.”

“Okay. I apologize.”

With a heroic effort I managed to maintain a straight face. “Apology noted and accepted,” I said, buzzing for my secretary. The door opened. “This is Miss Rachel Erlich. Would you entertain her for a while?”

“Delighted. Come along, Rachel. I’ll send down for a couple of strawberry sodas.”

“Chocolate, please. Are you a lawyer, too?”

“If you saw my salary check, you’d know better. I only work for Mr. Jordan.”

Rachel stood, tightly clutching her small purse. “Then I guess it’s safe to take my money with me.”

She marched out, and Martha Erlich gestured helplessly. “I just don’t know what to do with that child. Ira used to encourage her. He laughed at everything she said.”

“Well, she’s refreshingly honest, anyway. Let’s hope she never grows out of it.”

“Providing she tempers it with a bit of tact.”

“She’ll learn, Mrs. Erlich.” I cocked my head quizzically. “Do you share Ira’s opinion of lawyers?”

“Of course not. And I doubt that Ira held all lawyers in such low esteem. He had one bad experience, and it disturbed him.”

“Is the man’s name a secret?”

“If [told you, could I be sued for slander?”

“Not on the basis of a name only with no further explanation.”

“Do you know a lawyer named Stanley Karp?”

I coughed, choking back a laugh. “About that particular character I wholeheartedly share Ira’s opinion.” Then I turned serious. “Words are inadequate, Mrs. Erlich, but I’d like you to know how sorry I am about Ira. I knew him and admired him.”

“Thank you. I admired him, too.”

“Is there any way I can help?”

“I need some legal advice.”

“It’s yours.”

“Mr. Jordan, I have limited financial resources.

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