Motive Read Online Free PDF Page B

engagement.”
    “Fine-tuning. So, yes, I’m able to take Grant in intermittent doses. And frankly, the fact that Ursula was his client was a factor. Such a lovely woman. May I ask how she was killed?”
    “Gunshot wound.”
    “
Vey iz mir
. In the parking lot? A mugging?”
    “No signs of robbery.”
    “Then what?”
    “That’s what we’re trying to ascertain, Mr. Cohen.”
    “A gun. Dreadful. It’s hard to imagine Ursula gone. She was a vibrant woman. Creative—she was the creative force in the business.”
    “Tell us about the fine-tuning, sir.”
    “In that regard,” said Cohen, “I’m severely limited by confidentiality. Unlike Fellinger, my client is alive.”
    He rolled a cigar between his palms. Same mannerism Milo adopts with cheap panatelas. “Let me ask you this, Lieutenant: What did Grant tell you about his work on Ursula’s behalf?”
    “The Coreys divorced but continued to work together amicably. Occasionally financial disputes came up, mostly regarding the value of Urrick, Ltd.”
    Cohen remained silent.
    “Is that your view, Mr. Cohen?”
    “You’re not hearing me debate anything, Lieutenant.”
    “Must’ve been an odd situation, sir.”
    “What was?”
    “Exes continuing a business relationship.”
    “It happens more often than you’d imagine,” said Cohen.
    “With positive consequences?”
    Cohen suspended the cigar between his forefingers. “Not usually, no. In a perfect world, a business can be divided up equitably with the parties free to pursue their own interest. Sometimes I’m able to do that. If those interests are independent.”
    “The Corey interests were intertwined. They needed each other.”
    Cohen smiled. “Did Fellinger explain what they do?”
    “Import–export of cheap goods from Asia.”
    “Flowers of the Orient,” said Cohen. “Yes, trashy
tchotchkes
.”
    “And now your client gets everything from stem to petals.”
    “Poetic,” said Cohen. “But the truth is, I’m not sure Richard will be able to continue.”
    “Ursula being the creative force.”
    “Exactly. Without Ursula, I’m not sure there’ll continue to be a business.”
    “So your client has no motive.”
    “Not that I see.”
    I said, “Mr. Fellinger said the latest conflict arose around a year ago.”
    Cohen shrugged.
    I went on. “Mr. Fellinger also said he was optimistic about the issues finally being laid to rest.”
    Cohen laughed.
    Milo said, “You disagree?”
    “I’m an old man, Detective. My powers of prediction have waned. Why was Ursula meeting with Grant today?”
    Milo smiled.
    Cohen said, “No matter,” and rested his cigar in an onyx ashtray. Bracing himself on the desk, he rose to his feet, tottered, took a deep breath. “Obviously, you’ll be talking to Richard if you haven’t alreadydone so. What he chooses to tell you is his prerogative but I can’t say any more.”
    He held the door open. “Beautiful, elegant woman. How are the daughters handling it?”
    “They don’t know yet.”
    “You’ll be informing them soon.”
    “Part of the job, Mr. Cohen.”
    “Don’t envy you. Will you also be informing Richard? Because I’d prefer not to.”
    “We prefer the same thing, sir. Please don’t call him or talk to anyone about the murder.”
    “Murder,” said Cohen. “Snap of the finger and we’re gone.” Swaying, he gripped the door frame, took several more deep breaths. “If there’s nothing else, gentlemen, I have a doctor appointment.”
    In the lobby of Cohen’s building, Milo said, “Ursula’s mouthpiece sticks up for Richard and Richard’s mouthpiece thinks the world of Ursula. Next, I’m expecting a van full of hippies distributing daisies.”
    “Peace and love,” I said. “Meanwhile, Ursula’s in a van on her way to the morgue.”
    He stared at me. “Isn’t cynicism
my
gig?”
    “A little sharing never hurt anyone.”
    “Know what Oscar Wilde said about cynics?”
    “They know the price of everything and the value of