Part 20 (1/2)
1:37 P.M.
The voice of Ed Bannion's secretary came through the intercom.
”There's a Kara Wade on seven-six. Says it's personal. ”
Ed felt a quick surge of excitement.
”Got it, Nancy.” He jabbed the blinking b.u.t.ton. ”h.e.l.lo! You're a hard woman to find.”
”I went back to Pennsylvania for a while. I got back yesterday. I got your note.”
”Yeah.” He laughed. ”After calling a few dozen times, I figured that was the best way to get hold of you.”
”What's this about Kelly's estate?”
”She didn't have a will.”
”How do you know?”
”I checked. A will was never filed for her.”
”Why would you check?”
Ed detected a note of hostility creeping into Kara's voice. Maybe she thought he'd been prying.
Well, she was right. He had been rooting around for a way to maintain contact with her and had come up with an ingenious solution. He figured that if Kelly Wade was like most single people in her age bracket, she didn't have a will. They hardly ever do. Only if they're married and have kids do they start thinking about who's going to get what they leave behind if they kick the bucket unexpectedly.
He was right. Kelly had died in testate in testate.
”I'm just trying to help, Kara. Trying to repay a debt. Kelly helped my family through her profession, now it's my turn to help Kelly's through my my profession.” profession.”
He'd made up that story about his mother being in the hospital, but what he was about to tell Kara was all true and legally sound. He just had to make sure he didn't come on too strong as he tried to sell her on it.
”If you want to avoid probate, if you want access to her bank account or accounts-I have no idea what she had-you'll have to be named administrator.”
”I don't want her money.”
”It's not as vulturish as it sounds. She's got bills due, I'm sure-utilities, charge cards, etcetera. They'll need to be paid, otherwise her creditors can take her estate to court.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. Ed let it run its course.
”I never thought of that,” Kara said finally.
”Of course, you didn't,” Ed said, trying to sound jovial. ”That's what us legal eagles are for. Besides, if you don't take over her accounts, the Government will. I'm sure you can put them to better use.”
”I guess so. What do I do?” guess so. What do I do?”
”I'll do most of it. I'll act as your counsel and go before the surrogate and file to have you appointed administrator of Kelly's estate. That should be no problem. Since she had no husband or children, her twin sister is the obvious choice-unless your mother or father protest.”
”No one will protest.”
”Fine. Then you can pay off her bills from her account, clean out her apartment, take whatever you want to keep as memories, and be fully in the clear legally.”
”What will this cost?”
”It's on the house. Quid pro quo Quid pro quo. Should I get the paperwork started?”
Say yes! Please say yes!
”All right,” she said slowly. ”This is very considerate of you.”
”Think nothing of it. Now, we'll have to get together and have you sign a few papers. Is tomorrow good for you?”
”Only the afternoon. I have an appointment in the morning.”
Ed had to babysit some money men from the West Coast all afternoon and evening tomorrow.
”How about Thursday?”
”Thursday would be better. I have the whole day free.”
”Good. I'll meet you at Kelly's and we'll go someplace for lunch.”
Another hesitation. Say yes, Kara Say yes, Kara.
Finally: ”Okay. That sounds nice. See you then.”
Ed hung up, jumped up, and was doing a little victory dance around his desk when his secretary walked in.
”Are you all right, Mr. Bannion?”
Ed stopped abruptly and straightened a few papers on his desk top.
”My foot fell asleep. But now I'm fine, Nancy. Just fine.”
And I'm going to be even better!
11:02 P.M.
Kara dragged herself back to Kelly's apartment with the promise that if the next few nights went as well as last night, she'd p.r.o.nounce herself safe to sleep at Ellen's. It was the only way she could cajole herself into returning. The thought of another night alone in that apartment was daunting.
That was why a warm glow suffused her when Rob popped out of his car and intercepted her at the door to the apartment house. It would be good to have company for a while.
”I can't stay,” he said. ”I just wanted to see how you were doing. I called a few times but there was no answer.”
”I'm fine,” she said. ”Come on in. I'll fix you a drink. Or coffee. Whichever you prefer.”