Deadly Fall Read Online Free PDF Page B

back to the paperwork piled on our desks.”
     
    “You go on ahead,” said Nick.
     
    Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “And what’re you going to do?” He sighed, long and low. “Or do I need to ask? Nick, don’t do anything rash or stupid.”
     
    “Have you ever known me to?”
     
    Ethan’s expression remained troubled. “Yeah, well, I’ve never seen you like this over a nice pair of legs before either.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Augusta’s body was canted forward at the waist, as if the extra bit of distance closer to Peter Donovan help her comprehension.
     
    “Are you certain about that?” she asked.
     
    “Quite certain. Drew was very explicit in his instructions.” The attorney glanced down at the papers spread out in front of him on the desk. “You’re still his main beneficiary. He had no intention of changing his will after the divorce.”
     
    Augusta couldn’t stay in the chair one moment longer. She got to her feet and paced across the room, coming to a stop in front of the glass wall that, with the heavy blinds open, offered a dizzying view of Manhattan. Burberry raincoats and furs that would enrage animal rights activists everywhere mingled with tattered blue jeans and equally tattered leather jackets on the sidewalks. The streets were a slow moving mass of steel dotted with yellow taxi cabs. For once, Augusta longed to be outside with the suffocating mass of humanity that was New York City. It was preferable to being inside Peter Donovan’s plush, quietly handsome office discussing Drew’s final will and testament. Peter was under Drew’s orders to go over the will with her before dropping the bomb that it was on the rest of his family, namely Drew’s aunt, Phyllis Langan. Of Drew’s family, Phyllis was the most vehement and verbal in her disapproval of her nephew’s marriage to “that scheming opportunist.”
     
    “Phyllis is going to hit the roof when she finds out,” she murmured.
     
    “But that’s all she’s going to do.” Augusta could hear the smile in the attorney’s voice. “She can’t contest the will,” he went on quite cheerfully. “Well, she can, but she won’t get anywhere.”
     
    Augusta laughed quietly, surprised the sound wasn’t rusty. She turned around but didn’t return to her chair in front of Peter’s desk. Both men were patiently studying her.
     
    “So,” she began, “I now own thirty-four percent of LSI. I’m not sure if I want a say in LSI.”
     
    “Drew suggested that you let Adam and myself have your proxy.”
     
    She nodded in agreement. “What about everything else?”
     
    Before Peter could answer, Adam’s cell phone rang. He flashed them a sheepish smile as he reached inside his jacket. “Sorry.” He looked down at the number. “Peter—”
     
    The attorney waved him from the room. “Go.” He waited until the door was shut behind Adam before continuing. “What you want to do with the rest of your inheritance is up to you.”
     
    She nodded slowly. “Okay, then.” She made her way back to the leather armchair as she considered her options.
     
    “What are you thinking about?” Peter asked.
     
    “I want to sell whatever Drew owns of the high-rise building, including the penthouse.”
     
    Peter made an understanding sound. “I’ll get a realtor on it as soon as possible. We’re going to have to wait until after the investigation before we can list the properties, but I don’t see a problem. That is prime real estate. What about the furnishings in the penthouse?”
     
    “I-I’ll go through it and see what I want to keep. Maybe the paintings.” Her paintings, her creations. “I’ll have his clothes donated to a shelter, but other than that, you can sell the furniture with the condo.”
     
    “Shouldn’t be too hard. What about the other prop—”
     
    They were interrupted this time by a knock on the door, followed by Adam opening it and poking his head inside.
     
    “Excuse me.” He threw an apologetic look at