Read Online The Ghost Who Loved Diamonds by Bobbi Holmes - Free Book Online

death she was having some difficulties
living on her own. We arranged for her to be moved into an assisted living
situation where they could take care of her.”
    “Why didn’t you ever
tell me? She sent me letters that last year. She seemed fine to me.”
    “From what I
understand, Brianna had her good days and bad.” Clarence shrugged.
    “And this may give
Cheryl a claim to the estate?”
    “I am a little
concerned she might claim Brianna’s illness caused your aunt to forget your
cousin. After all, she is not mentioned in the will.”
    “But you said Aunt
Brianna got sick a few years after she wrote the will.”
    “It was diagnosed a few
years later.”
    “Why didn’t you ever
mention any of this to me, that Brianna had been ill?”
    “I saw no reason to
mention it. I assumed you already knew.”
    “How would I have
known?” Danielle asked.
    “Ms. Boatman, you were
already so upset over your aunt’s passing, I didn’t think it was necessary to
add to your burden by elaborating on the harsh details of her final days.” 
    “Well, I wish I had
known,” Danielle said quietly.
    “I am sorry.” Clarence
sounded contrite. “As for your cousin’s claim, let me look into a few things
for you, and I’ll get back to you the first of next week.”
    “Thank you. Will you be
at the open house?
    “I plan to come.
Unfortunately Ms. Comings won’t be able to make it. She’s taking off this
afternoon for Portland, to spend the holiday with family.”
    “I understand. I’m glad
you’ll be able to make it.”
    “You mentioned
something on the phone about your cousin having an attorney already looking
into this?”
    “The only thing she
really said was that her attorney thought she had a good case. Not sure he is
really looking into it. Knowing my cousin, it is always possible she made up
the part about the attorney or it might be some guy she went out with and told
her off the cuff. I don’t honestly know.”
    “Do you know if she’s
planning to contact me?”
    “Umm…actually, I sort
of gave her the impression I would arrange that,” Danielle said sheepishly.
    “Well, I don’t want you
to worry. I’m confident Brianna was in full possession of her faculties when
she wrote that will, and that she didn’t leave Cheryl out because she forgot
about her, but because she didn’t want to include her,” Clarence said with far
more enthusiasm than he’d shown earlier. He then frowned and asked, “Your aunt
did know Cheryl existed, didn’t she?”
    “Yes. Aunt Brianna and
Uncle Harry came to the US a few times when I was younger.  The family would get
together, and that included Cheryl.”
    “Well, let me see what
I can find out, and hopefully we can get this all sorted out.”
    “I appreciate it.” I
wonder what this is going to cost me , Danielle thought.
    “I understand you
intend to sell the Missing Thorndike? Quite a find there. I would never have
imagined it was in Marlow House.”
    “Yes, it was right
there in the attic, stuffed behind a loose board.”
    “Amazing. Who would
have ever imagined someone like Walt Marlow was the one responsible for taking
that necklace. And to think it was there all those years.”
    “A few people knew.
George Hemming knew. Apparently Walt Marlow told him he took it—or at least
alluded to the fact.”
    “Did Marie Nichols tell
you that?”
    “Yes. Although
initially she didn’t specifically mention the Missing Thorndike, just that Walt
Marlow—according to her father—was involved in a jewel heist.”
    “Really?” Clarence
frowned for a moment as if considering a puzzle and then chuckled as if he’d
come to a conclusion. “Perhaps that explains Adam’s curiosity.”
    “Adam?”
    “Have you met Marie’s
grandson?”
    “Yes, yes I have. What
did you mean Adam’s curiosity?”
    “Gloria told me Adam
quizzed her about the house a few weeks before you arrived. Asked what was
still in it, what had been removed. He even wanted to have a look