Dead Hunt

her,’’ he said.
Kingsley. ‘‘Thank you
    in the photograph?’’ ‘‘How do you know her?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘She was married to a client of mine. But I have
    to tell you, this can’t be the same woman you e-mailed about. The woman I know is just the nicest woman. However, I was persuaded by my secretary that I should probably call because the woman in the photograph looks so much like her,’’ he said.
    ‘‘Can you tell us about her?’’ said Diane. ‘‘Her name is Estelle Redding. She and my client Glenn Redding were married about three years altogether. Glenn is now deceased,’’ he said.
Kingsley raised his eyebrows at Diane. Diane nodded.
‘‘He was one of Seattle’s most prominent citizens and they were a good couple. Very much in love.’’
‘‘How did he die?’’ asked Kingsley.
‘‘It was tragic. He had
tracted a staph infection.
bypass surgery and conThey just couldn’t get it under control. As soon as they thought he was getting over it, it would flare up again. Hospitals are so bad these days for staph infections. Now I hear that sports locker rooms have the same problem. It’s frightening. Poor Glenn suffered terribly before he died.’’
‘‘When was this?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘He died in 2001,’’ he said.
‘‘Who inherited?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘Estelle inherited the bulk of the estate. I know that sounds suspicious, but it wasn’t,’’ he said.
‘‘Why do you say that?’’ asked Kingsley.
‘‘About a year before Glenn died, he came in to change his will. It stands out clearly in my mind. Estelle was with him. He had children from a previous marriage—two sons and one daughter. They were all grown. He was furious with all of them because of some irresponsible behaviors, which I won’t go into. He wanted to cut them out of the will. He was adamant. Estelle told him that they were his children and even though he was angry with them now, he wouldn’t always be. And that they may be irresponsible now, but they wouldn’t be forever. She told him to make some provision he could live with, but he shouldn’t cut them out. Estelle had a very calming effect on Glenn. She was that way. Then I remember she stood up and said that the two of us could figure out something that would work and she was going shopping. Now, does that sound like a woman who is a gold digger?’’
‘‘What did Mr. Redding do?’’ said Diane.
‘‘He had a few special bequeathals and a few charities he wanted to give money to, but the bulk of everything went to Estelle, along with a letter saying that when she felt the children were mature and responsible, she was to give them their portion.’’
‘‘Did she?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘She was angry at the boys. They had demanded money before their father was even buried. After the will was probated, she came to me and said she was going to wait on the boys to see how they turned out, that she was still angry with them. However, she set up a generous trust for the daughter with a bonus if she graduated from a good college. She also did something which I thought was very kind and not many women would do.’’
‘‘What was that?’’ asked Kingsley.
‘‘Glenn and his first wife had a very acrimonious divorce. Just before he died, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It went into remission for a while but returned with a vengeance. Estelle told me that she knew Glenn hated Marilee when he was alive, but where he was now he would approve of what she was about to do. She gave Marilee two million dollars so she could be comfortable before she passed. Now, does that sound like a woman who would do the things described in your e-mail?’’
‘‘That was very kind and decent,’’ said Kingsley. ‘‘How much money was in the estate?’’
‘‘Roughly two hundred million dollars total value. Some in cash and the rest in investments and real estate,’’ he said.
Both he and Diane looked at each other. Kingsley shook his head. ‘‘Wow,’’ he silently mouthed to her.
‘‘What did Estelle look like?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘In the face, very much like the photograph in your e-mail. Not as much makeup. And her hair was platinum, I think it’s called. She was quite a striking woman.’’
‘‘Would you know if she liked flowers?’’ Diane asked.
‘‘Yes, she did. Her greenhouse was filled with roses, lilies, and irises.’’
‘‘Does she keep in touch?’’ asked Kingsley.
‘‘She did up until about