Death Rides Bareback

"I think we should tell Alden about your situation. He might be just the man to help." I blushed with embarrassment, shaking my head. "Now is not the time to wilt on me!" she admonished. "What has happened is NOT your fault--- but you need to get results from the bank manager. I think Alden can help with that." I thought about it for a minute. "Nothing quite like telling a stranger (whom one would like to think well of you!) that ex-your partners think you're an embezzler...." I muttered at her, mulishly. "Com'on, Jess," Elise shook my elbow, "he can help--- and if I don't think badly of you, why should he? We all get into situations like this....or similar. Let him help us find the way out." She had a good point, and I was stymied in my search, if I couldn't get the bank to give me access to those statements and canceled checks. So I acquiesced, following her meekly to the sofa, where she plunked herself down across the coffee table from Alden in the sectional piece, and began filling him in on my problems. Alden listened intently as Elise explained the tale so far, with only mild interest registering on his face. I began to relax. I even volunteered the information that Frank was now trying to blackmail me. Elise looked startled, but the trust lawyer merely asked, "Why don't you call him now and ask him which bank is supposed to have your new 'assets'? Then you can attack from both ends, so to speak." He smiled reassuringly at me. I looked blankly at both of them. "I might not be able to keep my temper again," I murmured, cowed by the thought of Frank's knowing sneer. "Furthermore, what if he won't tell me what he knows?" "Well, then you won't be any further behind the eight ball than you are now---- but if he does tell you what he found out, you'll have a new avenue to more information." He remarked, levelly. Elise nodded agreement, gesturing towards the phone on the side table. Reluctantly, I picked up the phone, trying to remember Frank's home number. It rang several times, but finally Peggy answered. "Sorry to interrupt your Sunday, Peggy," I apologized, as I identified myself, "but may I have a word with Frank, please?" Her response was a sob. "Peggy? Are you all right? "I queried. "What is the matter?" She was almost incoherent. "It was in the papers...."she wailed, "How could you not know?" I was mystified and looked at the others for help as I responded, "What was in the papers, Peggy? What has happened? " "Frank's dead!" she cried. "Killed on the road home on Thursday! So senseless! He was a good driver! ------- Oh, how could he do this to me?" She wailed, once again dissolving into tears, understandably incoherent with the pain of his loss. I was at a loss, too, momentarily stunned at the news.