Death of a Hot Chick

Death of a Hot Chick - Chapter 6

The sign on the door read: Smith, Smith, Smith, and Owens - Attorneys at Law. The nameplate on the desk read: J. Smith Owens, Esquire. The very young man who jumped up to shake Kaye's hand wore a golf shirt with a tiny alligator on the pocket. I listened as my sister thanked him profusely for meeting us on his day off.

"How could I refuse to see my favorite professor?" he asked. "I've got to tell you, your course on recent Central American history changed my entire life."

As Kaye and J. Smith Owens talked college courses, study in Panama and Costa Rica, his uncles and father, I studied the framed certificates on the wall and the view from the small window. I learned J. stood for Jonathan, he had four pens in a black, initialed holder, and three pictures on his desk. One was the graduation photo of a cutie. Probably the girl friend. The other two were family groups. Judging from the clothing, one group was likely dead. That would account for most of the Smiths.

Finally, Kaye said, "My sister has an interesting legal problem related to Nicole Joline's death. This title," she said, as she placed it before him.

He frowned, held it up, then turned it over.

I didn't like that frown. "Is anything the matter?" I asked.

"This does seem to be a legal title. However, it is unusual to see one that has not been kept in the best condition. The damage does not seem to be related to the age of the document. The paper was wet at some point?" He didn't wait for an answer, but turned to the front of the paper and muttered to himself, "Not sure about that handwritten addition. It is witnessed and dated, but not notarized." After a moment, he turned to me. "How did you come by this document? Did Miss Joline give it to you?"

"Yes." In way, that was true.

"The time-date is before her death?" I nodded. "That may preclude the absence of notarized signatures. You and the witness can testify these are your signatures?"

I nodded again. "She said it made everything all legal."

"There will be an inquest into her death. This may figure into her estate." He opened a drawer, removed a folder, and opened it. "I must study the ramifications," he said as he placed the title in the folder.

"No! You can't have it."

Kaye jerked her head around to look at me, then she nodded. Obviously we were of the same opinion because she said, "Perhaps we should make copies and put this one in a safe deposit box. The original could always be shown later, if necessary."

"Of course. I'll make a copy for my use to research the applicable laws. It needn't be notarized. Although, I recommend you do obtain notarized copies."

"Excellent suggestion," Kaye said. "Now, let's discuss your retainer."

"Oh, please. Should I ask my favorite teacher for money? Let's see how much time this requires. We'll talk about that later."

I opened my wallet and took out all the bills. One ten and four ones. "Fourteen dollars. I insist you take this for now."

J. Smith's face got red. "Please, no," he said.

"Do take it, Jonathan," Kaye said. "Little though it is, you are now her lawyer. And believe me, you will be paid in full. Didn't those years at college teach you anything about finances?"

That's when he actually got serious, filled out a bunch of papers promising to research the boat title and represent me in any dealings. He even looked at me twice. But he definitely spoke to Kaye when he added, "I'll also file a notice of interested party to the estate of Nicole Joline."