© 2012 Phylicia Joannis
“If there’s anything you can do, I’d be so grateful.”
Mary Wilkes hid behind her tissue as she spoke. I rubbed my chin in thought until an idea formed.
“Your driver’s license has your home address right?” I asked.
“Of course,” she pulled it out and showed it to me.
“And what about John?”
Mary shook her head. “He’s never needed a driver’s license. I take him everywhere.”
I shook my head. “That’s fine. We only need to prove one of you as benefactor to your husband’s estate. What’s your husband’s name?” I asked.
“Jonathan Rinker,” she spoke proudly. “May he rest in peace.”
“Hmm,” I murmured. “I’ll tell you what. Give me a couple of days to check out your story, run a few leads, and get the process started. I’ll be in touch.”
“So you’ll help us?” Mary’s eyes lit up and she beamed. “Oh, thank you so much!”
John shook my hand. “Thank you for your kindness. And we’ll pay you for your services. Perhaps not all at once, but-”
I shook my head. “This one’s on me, kid. Pro bono, okay?”
John’s face lightened. “Oh, thank you!”
“Don’t thank me yet,” I smiled despite myself. “How can I get in touch with you? Where are you staying?”
“Oh, we’re at the Motel on Hull St,” his mother hemmed.
I frowned. “That’s a pretty seedy neighborhood. Listen, why don’t you stay at the Regency on Main?”
“Oh, we can’t afford that,” John shook his head.
“I’ll take care of it,” I couldn’t believe my own ears when I said it. The words came tumbling out of my mouth like children chasing a soccer ball.
“You’re too kind,” Mary’s eyes glistened. Then her stomach growled.
“Pardon me,” she turned away in shame.
“Do you have any money?” I asked.
“Just what’s left of the money John used to transfer to my account every month,” Mary replied. “It’s not much.”
I clicked my tongue. “See my secretary outside, and she’ll give you some petty cash, okay?”
“No, we can’t take your money,” John protested. “You’ve already done so much to help us.”
“Nonsense!” I waved his protest away. I grandly opened the door of my office and told my secretary to give the Wilkes family $1000 for expenses and to make arrangements for them to stay at the Regency until I got things straightened out.
She happily obliged and I left the office that day feeling benevolent.
The first order of business was verifying Mary’s address with the DMV. The record only went back 8 years before another address popped up. I called Mary and asked her about it.
“Oh, that’s strange,” she said.
“You don’t recall moving within the last 8 years?” I asked.
“No, I’ve been with John since…oh, now I remember!” I heard her slap her forehead.
“I didn’t do much driving until about 8 years ago, so I never updated my old address. When little John got old enough to want to go on trips, Jonathan insisted I get my license updated from my old address to the new one.”
“So this old address is where you used to live?” I scribbled a note.
“Yes, before I met Jonathan I lived with my mother,” Mary answered. “Is this going to cause problems for us?”
“No, it shouldn’t be a problem,” I murmured. “I’ll be in touch.” I called the number for her old address and left a message for her mother to call me back.
Other than that, everything else checked out. I went to Mary’s home and got statements from the neighbors testifying that they often saw Mary and John going in and out of the house. It was a pretty upscale, snobby neighborhood, though. Most of the neighbors told me they minded their own business.
I called the state department to assess what Jonathan Rinker’s estate was worth. The number made me wish I had charged a contingency fee. Liquidated, it was over ten million dollars. It took three days and a lot of favors, but I got the Wilkes’ their money. I couldn’t wait to call them to my office to tell them. When I did, Mary Wilkes nearly fainted.
Everything was finalized by the end of the week. I personally handed them their check.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Mary cried as she hugged John.
“So what are you going to do first?” I asked.
“Well, my mother’s health is failing, so we’re going to take a flight down to see her tonight,” Mary sniffed. “I’d hate to think I’d lose her so soon after losing Jonathan.”
I nodded sympathetically and hailed them a cab.
It wasn’t until later that evening that I got a phone call from Mary Wilkes’ mother.
“You left a message on my phone,” Ms. Wilkes said. “I’m just returning the call, although I find it strange that you’d ask me about Mary. I haven’t seen her in years.”
“Yes, I just saw your daughter,” I answered. “I’ve heard your health has been failing, so I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to call. I don’t really need any information from you now, but you’ll be pleased to know your daughter and grandson are well taken care of.”
“Grandson?” Ms. Wilkes balked. “I don’t know anything about a grandson; it wouldn’t surprise me though. I haven’t seen Mary since she moved out 8 years ago. And my health is just fine.”
I shook my head, though Ms. Wilkes couldn’t see me. Ms. Wilkes was obviously too proud to discuss her health with a stranger, but perhaps it was her mental health that was failing.
“That can’t be right, Ms. Wilkes,” I chuckled. “Mary Wilkes moved out of your home over 20 years ago.”
Ms. Wilkes spoke with condescension. “No, she left 8 years ago. Told me she got a live-in housekeeping job with a rich old guy. Said she and her boyfriend Andrew would be set for life.”
“Andrew?” I was beginning to think Mary Wilkes was not who she seemed to be. “Tell me, Ms. Wilkes, did you ever see Andrew?”
“Once or twice,” Ms. Wilkes replied. “Really thin hands, that boy. And about half Mary’s age, too.”
I closed my eyes slowly.
I’d been had.
I barely said goodbye to Ms. Wilkes before shooting out of the office and into the street. I hailed a cab and made my way to the airport. I caught a glimpse of Mary and John, or should I say Mary and Andrew, just as they made their way past the security checkpoint.
I called out their names and they turned. They both smiled at me and then kissed before walking out of eyeshot.
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