In Death 09 - Loyalty in Death

and weary-eyed woman manned a sleek U-shaped console and fielded calls on a privacy headset.
    "Thank you very much. Your call is being recorded and your condolences will be passed on to the family. Mr. Branson's memorial service is scheduled for tomorrow, at two o'clock at Quiet Passages, Central Park South. Yes, it's a great shock. A great loss. Thank you for calling."
    She swiveled the mouthpiece aside and offered Eve a sober smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Branson isn't available. These offices will be closed until Tuesday of next week."
    Eve took out her badge. "I'm primary on his brother's homicide. Is he in?"
    "Oh, Lieutenant." The woman touched her fingers briefly to her eyes, then rose. "One moment, please."
    She slipped gracefully from behind the console, then after a quick knock on a tall white door, disappeared inside. Eve heard the soft beep of incoming calls from the multiline 'link, then the door opened again.
    "Please come in, Lieutenant. Mr. Branson will see you. Is there anything I can get you?"
    "No, I'm fine."
    She entered the office. The first thing she noticed was that it was dramatically opposed to J. C.'s. This was cool colors, sleek lines, rich sophistication. No silly animal chairs or grinning droid dolls. Here the muted grays and blues were designed to soothe. And the wide surface of the desk, uncluttered with gadgets, clear for business.
    B. Donald Branson stood behind that desk. He didn't have the bulk of his brother but was slim in a sleekly tailored suit. His hair was a dull gold, slicked back from a high forehead. Eyebrows, thick and peaked, were shades darker over tired eyes of pale green.
    "Lieutenant Dallas, it's kind of you to come in person." His voice was as quiet and soothing as the room. "I meant to contact you, to thank you for your kindness when you called last night to inform me of my brother's death."
    "I'm sorry to intrude at this time, Mr. Branson."
    "No, please. Sit down. We're all trying to deal with it."
    "I gather your brother was well liked."
    "Loved," he corrected as they took their seats. "It was impossible not to love J. C. That's why it's so hard to imagine him gone, and in this way. Lisbeth, she was like part of the family. My God." He looked away for a moment, trying to compose himself.
    "I'm sorry," he managed. "What can I do for you?"
    "Mr. Branson, let me get this over with as quickly as I can. Ms. Cooke claims she discovered your brother was involved with another woman."
    "What? That's absurd." Branson dismissed the idea with one angry wave of his hand. "J. C. was devoted to Lisbeth. He never looked at another woman."
    "If that's true, why would she have killed him? Did they quarrel often, violently?"
    "J. C. couldn't maintain an argument for five minutes," Branson said wearily. "It just wasn't in him. He had no violence, and he certainly was no womanizer."
    "You don't believe he could have been interested in someone else?"
    "If he was -- which is difficult to believe -- he would have told Lisbeth. He would have been honest with her and dissolved their relationship before starting another. J. C. had almost childishly honest standards."
    "If I accept that, then I'm looking for motive. You and your bother were co-presidents. Who inherits his share?"
    "I do." He folded his hands on the desk. "Our grandfather founded this company. J. C. and I have been at the helm together over thirty years. In our business agreement it's stipulated that the survivor or the survivor's heirs inherit the partnership."
    "Could he have designated any portion of it to Lisbeth Cooke?"
    "Not of the company, no. We have a contract."
    "Of his personal funds and holdings, then."
    "Certainly, he'd be free to designate any or all of his personal estate to whomever he pleased."
    "Would we be talking substantial?"
    "Yes, I believe we would say substantial." Then he shook his head. "You think she killed him for money? I can't believe that. He was always very generous with her, and Lisbeth is -- was -- a well-paid member of this company. Money shouldn't have been an issue."
    "It's an angle," was all Eve said. "I'd like the name of his lawyer, and I'd appreciate it if you'd clear it so I can have the terms of the will."
    "Yes, of course." He tapped a finger on the top of his desk and the center drawer slid open. "I have one of Suzanna's business cards right here. I'll contact her right away," he added, rising as Eve did to hand her the card. "Tell her to give you whatever information you need."
    "I