Free The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip Margolin Page A

avid skier.”
    Anthony remembered the incident with Lamar, Jr., at the mansion and asked, “How did Mr. Hoyt react when the will was read?”
    DePaul shook his head with disapproval. “Junior caused quite a scene. He threatened to contest everything, then he stormed out after flinging a few choice words at Senator Crease.”
    â€œInheriting a quarter million dollars and a going business would make my day. What was bothering Junior?”
    â€œThe amount that he left to his son was a verysmall bequest when you consider that Lamar’s estate is worth twenty million dollars.”
    â€œWhy didn’t he leave Junior more?”
    DePaul considered the question for a moment before answering. “Junior is not an idiot but he’s lazy and irresponsible. He’s been able to run the mortuaries, but Lamar had to keep a close eye on the business. I believe that Lamar wanted to give Junior an incentive to work hard. He didn’t want to leave him penniless, but he was afraid that Junior would not work at all if he had too much money.”
    â€œHe obviously didn’t feel that way about his wife.”
    DePaul hesitated. “Detective Anthony, I don’t know if I should be telling you this, but Lamar and I go way back. If there is something amiss … well, I just want to make sure that you’re fully informed. Shortly before his death, Lamar discussed the possibility of changing his will.”
    â€œIn what way?”
    â€œHe didn’t say specifically, but I had the impression that he was going to change his bequests to his wife and son dramatically.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œHe never came right out and said what he planned to do, but I believe that their stake in his estate would have been drastically diminished.”
    â€œSo Senator Crease and Junior benefited when Mr. Hoyt was killed before the will was changed?”
    â€œYes. Senator Crease in particular.”
    DePaul paused. He looked troubled, as if a new thought had just occurred to him.
    â€œOf course, if Ellen was involved in Lamar’s murder, Junior would inherit her share.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œThe law forbids a person to profit from a will if they cause the death of the person who made it.”

8

    Karen Fargo heard the announcement of Lamar Hoyt’s murder on the morning news while she was driving to work. She had pulled onto the shoulder of the highway because she could not see the traffic through her tears and she was shaking so badly that she was afraid she would lose control of her car. When she could drive, she took the first exit and returned home. She had called in sick that day and the next.
    On her first day back to work, Mr. Wilhelm had called her into his office and fired her. Fargo was in a state of shock and her protests were feeble. Mr. Wilhelm had an explanation for his actions, but she barely heard them. She knew why she had been let go and who was behind the firing, though that person was so insulated by layers of middle management and executive power that she knew she would never be able to prove her suspicions.
    After cleaning out her desk, Fargo drove straight home and called her parents in Michigan. She told them about being fired, though not about Lamar. Her parents were serious Baptists and would not have approved of her affair with a married man. They acted like cheerleaders, reminding her of how smart she was and what good work she did. Surely another company would hire her.
    When Fargo ended her call to her parents, she wasupbeat. She did not have very much money saved, but she had enough to get by until another job came along. There was always a market for a good secretary. Maybe, she thought, it was best that she not continue to work at Hoyt Industries, where every day would be a reminder of the life she had lost. Maybe being fired was a blessing in disguise.
    The next day Fargo started her job search with high hopes. She had graduated at the