“If you really don’t trust your Atlanta lawyers, I can help you find an attorney to set up the trust, and contact the others in the High Tide Club,” Brooke offered. “It would probably be better anyway, since I have absolutely no experience with estate law.”
“You’re not listening,” Josephine said. “I want you. Only you. Millie’s granddaughter.”
“That’s a lovely sentiment, but I can’t ethically do the job,” Brooke said. “It’s not just a whim of mine. It’s the law.”
“There must be a way around that kind of thing. A work-around, Preiss would have called it. There’s always a work-around.”
“Not this time,” Brooke said. “I’m sorry, Josephine. I really am. I’m willing to track down Ruth’s relatives and Varina, and I’ll let my mother know you’d like to meet with her, but that’s the extent of the services I’m legally able to offer you. Of course, I’ll be returning your retainer.”
“I don’t want my money back,” Josephine fumed. “And I don’t need any more damn lawyers complicating what’s left of my life.” She shoved the sandwich plate aside. “Go on, then. Take your so-called ethics and get out.”
***
Brooke had been standing under the shade of the porte cochere for at least ten minutes, staring down at her cell phone, which still had no service. So she was thrilled and relieved when Shug pulled up in the pickup truck.
Louette leaned out the passenger-side window, a look of alarm on her face. “What’s wrong? Where’s Josephine?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Brooke said quickly. “She just woke up, and she’s in a foul mood.”
“Sounds about right,” Shug said.
“You’re leaving already?” Louette asked, climbing down and grabbing two canvas totes of supplies.
“I’ve got to get back to my son,” Brooke said. “Anyway, I’ve told Josephine I can’t represent her in the matter she raised. So there’s not much more I can do here.” She looked over at Shug. “I hate to ask, but can you or C. D. take me back across to the mainland?”
“No bother,” Shug said. “It’ll have to be me, ’cause C. D.’s off this afternoon. No telling where he’s got to.”
***
She sat in the bow of the boat as they crossed the river. It was hot and sunny, and the water was dead calm. A pair of dolphins skimmed along in the boat’s wake, and Brooke felt grateful for the slight breeze.
“So… you won’t be coming back over to the island after this?” Shug asked, his face impassive behind his sunglasses.
“Probably not,” Brooke said.
“Too bad. Louette said Miss Josephine was all excited about whatever it was she wanted you to do for her. She’s been kinda low since the last time she went to the doctor. Seems like she perked right up since she got the idea to call you. Even started eating a little bit again.”
“I’ll help her as much as I can,” Brooke said, already feeling guilty. “But there are… technicalities that prevent me from providing the services she needs.”
“I got ya,” Shug said.
He steered the boat toward the first available slip in the marina, and once they were tied up, he jumped onto the dock and helped her off. “You need a ride?” he asked, looking around the crowded complex of boat slips, launch ramps, and bait shop. “We keep a truck over here. It ain’t got no air-conditioning, but it runs all right, and I can take you wherever you need to go.”
“I’m parked right over there under that oak tree,” she said, extending a hand to shake his. “And thanks again.”
He smiled and gripped her hand with both of his. “My pleasure. You take care now.”
“You too,” she said.
He turned to go back to the boat, and she felt a sudden stab of guilt.
“Wait a minute, Shug,” she called.
He stopped and walked back to her.
Brooke dug in her purse and handed him her business card. She’d ordered a box of a thousand after setting up practice three years earlier and had barely made a dent in her supply.
“Take this,” she said impulsively. “It’s illegal as hell for me to discuss this with you, but, well, Louette mentioned that y’all are worried about what will happen at Oyster Bluff once Josephine is gone. Maybe there’s something I can do to help.”
