"I was in law school when Dad died.” James said. “Gerry worked at the company, but he had just started and the rest of the boys were still in school. Mom didn't talk to any of us about her financial situation. Mom says Carlton 's dad Marvin advised her not to apply for Social Security for herself or the boys at that point. I'll have to do a little research to find out why he would have said that, but frankly, right now, I'm glad she didn't."

He leaned back in the chair and rubbed his hands over his face and then his head. “I haven't looked at the second wife and Dad's estate yet. That could be a real can of worms, given that his second marriage was in a foreign country.” He pulled a small notebook out of his shirt pocket and made a note. “I'll get someone to research that for me. If we're lucky, Mom's marriage will be the valid one."

"What a mess,” Harriet said.

"Dad must have known how this would wreck Mom's life,” Harry said. “Why would he just disappear?"

"Don't even go there,” James said. “Dad's dead. We may never know why he left. We need to concentrate on Mom."

"I agree we need to take care of Mom, but I need to know who killed Dad and why,” Ben said.

The outside studio door opened, and Mavis entered. Harriet couldn't help but notice the new-looking black shirt-style jacket that had replaced her usual man's plaid flannel shirt. In her mind's eye, Harriet imagined Mavis in her back yard burning a pile of similar flannel shirts she had been wearing and carefully repairing for almost twenty years; her personal shrine to the husband she'd thought she'd lost.

"What was the old saying when you guys were all at home? Any time you see three Willis boys together in one place, trouble is sure to follow.” Mavis crossed the entry area and stood in front of her offspring.

"Mom, I'm injured,” James said with a hint of the boyish smile that had helped him charm his way out of trouble. Harriet wondered if he used it on juries.

"Yeah,” Harry added. “Cut us to the quick."

"We're trying to keep you out of jail, if you must know,” Ben said.

"And just how are you doing that?” Mavis asked, and poked a finger into his chest.

"Well, technically, I guess you could say I'm not, but I'm helping James."

"That's what I thought. He always has been able to get you to do his dirty work."

"Seriously, Mom,” James said. “We're trying to figure your widow's benefits out. If you can remember anything else about that time, it could help."

Mavis returned to the sitting area and settled in one of the wing-back chairs. Aunt Beth joined her, taking the chair opposite her friend.

"Your mom has thought about this all she can,” Beth said. “Your dad had just died then, and he's just died again now. Let her be until she can catch up with herself. Harry, you go put the water on for tea. Ben, put some of those chocolate chip cookies on the cooling rack on a plate and bring them in here."

"You made cookies while I was gone?” Harriet said, but no one was listening to her.

"James, take a break."

The attorney looked like he was going to protest, but one look at Aunt Beth changed his mind.

"I'll go make some calls in the living room,” he said. “Mom, I'll talk to you later."

"You just sit back and relax,” Aunt Beth ordered.

"I need to make some calls myself,” Harriet said, and followed James through the connecting door into the kitchen. She went to the refrigerator and took out a can of foul-smelling cat food and scooped out a portion for Fred. “Don't eat it all in one bite,” she said as he flew off his strangers-in-the-kitchen perch on top of the hallway bookcase and dove at his dish.

"Don't mind my aunt,” she said to the collected Willis men. “She's protective of her friends."

"You don't have to apologize for your aunt,” Ben said. “We've lived it."

"Our mom probably taught your aunt her best tricks,” Harry added.

Harriet offered a few directions about where to find additional snacks and went to her bedroom to place her calls.

She came downstairs a half-hour later and strode across the kitchen and into the studio.

"I'm going out for a little while,” she told her aunt and Mavis as she picked up her purse and headed for the door. “I'll be back shortly."

She was out before either of them could ask any questions. Aunt Beth appeared in the doorway, but by that time Harriet had backed her car up and turned it down the driveway toward town. She knew her aunt wouldn't approve of her planned evening's activities.

Connie was speaking in rapidfire Spanish to Jorge when Harriet came into Tico's Tacos a few minutes later.

"Hola, chiquita,” Connie said and pulled Harriet into a bear hug. “I filled Jorge in on the plan. He can't leave here, but he's preparing snacks for each team."

"Thanks, Jorge."

Jorge tipped his ball cap to her in acknowledgment. She took a deep breath. He was roasting peppers, and the smell permeated the room.

"I'll have to have a snack after smelling the wonderful aroma in here."

"I pulled a couple of tables together in the back room,” he said, and indicated a doorway near the kitchen. “And I packed a container of guacamole with roasted peppers for you."

Harriet thanked him and crossed to the door he was now holding open for her.

She had never been in that part of the restaurant. Woven serapes in pinks, greens and yellows were draped on the walls with ornately embellished sombreros in complimentary colors positioned between each pair. Two square wooden picnic-style tables had been pushed together. Robin and DeAnn sat on benches opposite each other, sipping icy glasses of lemonade, a pitcher and additional glasses between them on the table.

Robin was dressed in her usual capri-length black yoga pants, but this time her customary pastel sleeveless top had been replaced by its black counterpart. DeAnn had on black shorts and a black T-shirt.

"We're ready,” Robin said.

"Well, we think we're ready,” DeAnn amended. “We haven't heard the plan yet."

"Did I miss a memo?” Lauren asked as she entered the back room and poured a glass of lemonade. She indicated her khaki shorts and pale blue T-shirt.

"We don't have a dress code, if that's what you're asking,” Harriet said. “We're going to be in cars."

"Oh, my gosh,” Lauren said as a realization hit her. “Did you think we were going to be skulking around in the bushes?” she asked DeAnn. “Did you think black shorts would make up for your fluorescent white legs?"

"Okay, Lauren, we're all a little nervous. You don't need to settle yours by picking on DeAnn or anyone else,” Connie said in her teacher voice, which was less accented than her casual one.

Lauren took her glass and sat down at the end of the table. Jorge opened the door and held it for Jenny, who had also come dressed in black-knee-length shorts and a sleeveless hooded tunic. Her silver hair was pulled back in a low ponytail.

"Here is another conspirator.” He laughed and went back to work in the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Sarah let herself in.

"This better be good,” she announced. “I canceled a hot date for this.” She was dressed in a creased navy blue cotton blazer and gray slacks. Harriet hoped she'd been planning on changing before her date.

When everyone was seated and had drinks, Harriet cleared her throat, then waited until everyone stopped speaking.

"Thanks for coming on such short notice."

Sarah started to reply, but Connie clamped a hand on her wrist and she closed her mouth.

"I'm sorry I was so mysterious on the phone, but I decided it would be better to talk about this in person. As you all know, Carla's been seeing a new fellow. He's a stranger in town, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. He's been very kind and attentive, and he's a natural with Wendy."