Free The Heir Hunter by Chris Larsgaard

name?”
    “No.”
    “He never told you any names or cities where the sister lived?”
    “Never.”
    “Is there anything else you can tell me that might be helpful?”
    “Let me think for a moment.”
    Alex felt her frustration growing. Hopes were riding on the old woman, but she seemed to know very little. Where was this sister?
    “I think Gerald had an eye for me, actually,” continued Bonnie. “He was a sweet old man and a good friend for two years. I enjoyed his company. He was so sweet, yet strange.”
    “What was strange about him?”
    “He was very secretive about his life. But I think he was lonely too. I felt so awful when he died that I made the funeral arrangements. It’s a terrible thing to die alone, you know.”
    Alex thought of her mother for some reason butquickly dismissed the thought. She nodded at Bonnie to continue.
    “Something else odd: he said he was from England, and he did have a thick accent, but it wasn’t British. It was German. Now, how can a person be raised in England and have a thick German accent?”
    “That is strange,” Alex agreed. “Did you ask him about that?”
    “Yes. He said his father had lived in Austria.”
    “You’ve been in his house, Bonnie. Did you ever see any family pictures or anything?”
    “I never took much notice of his house, although I can tell you that it was decorated beautifully. You would be amazed at the inside of that little house. Such beautiful paintings, a grand piano, exotic rugs. He must have had money to burn.”
    “Did he ever mention other friends or past employment? What did he do for a living?”
    “He didn’t talk about it. He was an old man when I met him, well into his eighties and long retired. And I never saw him with anyone or heard him mention any other friends.”
    Alex rubbed the back of her neck as the cold realization set in. Bonnie knew nothing. Jacobs loved classical music, had no friends, and spoke with a German accent. But it didn’t add up to a thing. She sat and thought as the little mutt barked himself hoarse from the other room.
    “Were you ever in any room of his house other than his living room?”
    Bonnie looked aghast. “Certainly not.”
    “I didn’t mean it that way. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
    Bonnie nodded grudgingly as she stroked the cat. Alex reached down and touched one of the purring animals. The old woman had been harping on the IRS earlier. It was worth a shot.
    “Did Gerald work with the government, Bonnie?”
    “Why do you ask?”
    “You mentioned the IRS earlier. I was just wondering.”
    “No, he didn’t,” she snapped, her expression suddenly guarded again. “Why are you so concerned with this insurance policy, anyway?”
    “I’ve been hired to take care of it.”
    “Well, I don’t know that there’s anything more for us to discuss,” she said, grouchy now. “I’ve told you what I know. Gerald didn’t have family or friends. Enemies maybe, but no friends. Maybe you should look for
them.
They might be easier to find.”
    Alex stared at her hard. Bonnie frowned and shifted uncomfortably in her chair. The words had slipped.
    “Can you tell me about Gerald’s enemies, Bonnie?”
    “He was going to take care of them. He had a plan and he was going to get them good. He . . .” She stopped herself and made an exasperated sound. “I know what you’re up to, and it’s not going to work. I promised I wouldn’t tell and I won’t go back on my word.”
    “Don’t you think Gerald would want you to tell me if he knew it would help his family?”
    “No, I don’t think that at all. His family never bothered to visit with him. What kind of family is that?”
    “Did Gerald—”
    “Stop picking at it,” she snapped. “Just because he’s dead doesn’t mean I can go blabbing things around.” She tossed the cat from her lap and stood. “I don’t have anything else to say to you. I want you to go now.”
    “Bonnie—”
    “Do I have to call the police?”
    Alex