“I think Lilia stole something valuable from Cade, and what’s more valuable than money?” She let that settle between them. “Think about it, Dawson. Lilia’s life might be a mess, but she’s talented mathematically. Cade knew that. Aunt Sandra mentioned he took Lilia to Vegas because she could count cards and would help him win at poker games. So years later, if Cade suspected his accountant was stealing from him, I could see him asking Lilia to look at the books.”
“And what? She used the opportunity to steal money?”
“Maybe.” Peyton could easily picture her cousin, desperate and pregnant, using Cade’s trust against him. “She may have taken more than money. She could have evidence too. Something she could threaten Cade with in order to get him to leave her and Grace alone.”
Dawson was quiet for a long moment, as if he were thinking over what she’d proposed. “It’s a good theory, but we’re making a lot of leaps without much evidence.”
Peyton nodded. “You’re right. Let’s see what the attorney has to say.”
The landscape changed from farmland to suburbs and then the city. Office buildings blocked out the sun as Dawson carefully navigated through downtown to a parking garage across the street from the lawyer’s office. As they walked to the high-rise, his hand came to rest on the small of her back. The touch, even through her wool coat, sent awareness racing through her. Peyton edged closer to him. She was armed and kept her attention on her surroundings, but danger could come out of nowhere.
Thankfully, none found them.
They entered the lobby, went through security, and a few minutes later, were seated across from Carmen Reyes. Mid-forties, dressed in an elegant maroon suit and understated jewelry, she had the quiet composure that came from years of navigating difficult conversations. Her office was modest but immaculate—a family law degree on the wall, a framed photo of two kids on the desk, and a small succulent that looked far healthier than anything Peyton had ever kept alive.
“I explained to the detective that I spoke with yesterday, my conversations with Lilia are privileged.” Carmen folded her hands on her desk. “As such, I cannot share with you anything we discussed without her express permission.”
She wasn’t stonewalling to be difficult. Attorney-client privilege was a serious matter, one that continued even after the client died. Peyton’s heart sank. “I had hoped Lilia had left special instructions for me.”
Carmen tilted her head as if puzzled. “I’m sorry, she didn’t.”
“Are you sure? There’s no package or a letter?”
“No.”
Peyton did her best to push her disappointment aside. She’d planned for this contingency. If she couldn’t get her hands on the evidence, maybe they could figure out if Cade was actually Grace’s father. Peyton suspected he was, but that wasn’t proof. She pulled the legal documents from her bag. “That’s quite all right, Mrs. Reyes. Since you drafted the guardianship document, I was hoping you could answer a few questions about it.”
“I can certainly try.”
She flipped to the second page and pointed to a relevant section. “Grace’s father isn’t listed. In fact, it says here that he’s unknown.”
“That’s not as uncommon as one might think. Speaking in generalities, there are times a client may not wish to name thefather. He could be abusive, or not in the picture, or sometimes unknown. Whenever this is the case, I take care in explaining to my clients that should something happen to them and the guardianship paperwork is triggered, the father of the child could step forward to challenge it.”
“Did Lilia seem concerned about that happening? Grace’s father coming forward?”
Carmen's expression didn't change, but something shifted behind her eyes. “I can't speak to my client's state of mind. What I can tell you is that the document was drafted with care. The provisions are thorough and legally sound.”
“Was she scared?”
“I cannot say.”
Dawson shifted in his chair. “Can you tell us when Lilia contacted you to draft the document?”
“That’s privileged.”
“What about where she was living?”
“Also privileged.”
He blew out a breath of frustration, and Peyton briefly laid a hand on his arm before turning to face the attorney. “Mrs. Reyes, I understand we’re putting you in a difficult situation, but my cousin is missing. She’s in trouble, and I’m not being melodramatic to say this is a matter of life and death. We don’t know where she was living during the time of her pregnancy, or who she may have interacted with. All we have is an old Austin address, a birth record for Grace, and this guardianship paperwork. Anything you could share with us that might help our investigation would be appreciated.”
Carmen met her gaze. Regret pinched her mouth. “I’m very sorry, Special Agent Hughes, but my hands are tied. The only questions I can answer for you are about the document you hold in your hand. I can also answer general legal questions. Anything more, anything specific to Lilia, is privileged.”
Disappointment drew Peyton’s shoulders down. They wouldn’t get anything useful out of the meeting. She rose. “I understand. Thank you for your time.”
“Certainly.” Carmen shook Peyton’s hand and then Dawson’s.
They started for the door. Dawson reached it first, holding it open for Peyton. She was just about to cross the threshold when Carmen said, “Special Agent Hughes.”
