Free Missing Witness by Craig Parshall Page B

Why? And I also think you were meant to help this pastor. Something’s going wrong in Joppa’s life. You heard Aunt Georgia say that he had been the pastor of that church for a number of years, but somehow his heart just doesn’t seem to be in it. Something must be troubling that man. She also said that he lost his wife. So I think you’re the right man—not only to win his case, but also to give him some good counsel too.”
    â€œAll right. You’ve encouraged me…now tell me the rest of the reasons you wanted me to take this case.”
    â€œWell, I do intend to write some music this summer. But I sat down at the piano and nothing came. My mind is so fixed on this pregnancy. Some of the potential problems. And I want our child so very much to come into this world. And I want everything to be all right. This is a real faith-stretching experience for me. I know it is for you too,” she added. “But frankly, I would love to get my mind on something else for the next two months. And working with you as your paralegal…that would be a wonderful change of pace. I’m really serious about that.”
    Will’s brow wrinkled.
    â€œTell me what you’re thinking,” Fiona said.
    â€œJust that I did have one assignment in this case…and you’d be perfect for it.”
    Fiona’s face became animated. “Wonderful! What is it?”
    â€œI need you to interview Frances Willowby. She is the widow of Randolph Willowby. Randolph’s last will and testament is at the center of this lawsuit involving Jonathan Joppa.”
    â€œAnd why is Mrs. Willowby important?”
    â€œOne of the questions that’s been plaguing me,” Will continued, “is why Randolph Willowby put such a strange condition in his will—requiring Jonathan Joppa to prove the innocence of an ancestor regarding piracy charges hundreds of years old. This is not the kind of thing you put in a last will and testament frivolously. What motivated him to want to prove Isaac Joppa’s innocence? Beyond that, why did he put the burden of proof on Jonathan Joppa to prove that as a prerequisite for getting the island?”
    â€œSo you want me to find that out?” Fiona asked eagerly.
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œThat sounds exciting. I’ll be glad to ask her those kinds of questions.”
    â€œPlus, I understand that the Willowby seacoast mansion is magnificent. Apparently Mrs. Willowby is quite the socialite and party organizer. I’m sure she’ll serve you high tea in grand fashion, and let you in on all the gossip.”
    Fiona’s expression grew solemn.
    â€œWill, darling…you’re not just sending me over to talk to Mrs. Willowby so that she can entertain me—serve me tea, and have polite ladies’ chat—are you?”
    Will laughed heartily and shook his head. “Of course not. I think she’s an important component of this case. But, you be honest—when do you not like having high tea and lots of ladies’ talk?”
    Fiona blushed and tried not to laugh. “Okay,” she said, giggling, “it’s a chick thing, I know. But please take me seriously as your paralegal. I intend to pull my own weight.”
    â€œWell, actually, you’re already pulling your own weight, and somebody else’s as well!” Will said with a chuckle. “So the point is this—I’ll have you help me on this case, I really will. But you’re not going to exert yourself. You’re going to take it easy. And you’re going to remember that the most important thing is our healthy, happy baby.”
    â€œSweetheart,” Fiona said with a schoolteacherish look on her face, “do you remember who you’re talking to here? Our baby is on my mind twenty-five hours a day. First thing in the morning. All through the day. The last thing at night. I even dream about this baby every night.”
    By now, the