Mistaken Identity by Diane Fanning

been because of her crazy story about Parker Sterling but I don’t know. I just know there’s friction and that bears examination.”
    “Anyone else looking squirrely?”
    “I’m bothered by Jason King and Pamela Godfrey – anything on them?”
    “Haven’t located anything on King yet and nothing I’ve found on Godfrey deviates from what I’ve given you already. Her list of rumored affairs gets longer and longer – but I’m not sure which of them actually happened. I did find an interesting suspected paramour, though. His name is Rodney Conners. He was the CEO of “It Is”, a rival software company that went bankrupt. He blamed Dodgebird in general and Parker Sterling in particular for his company’s demise. He vowed more than once to get his revenge.”
    “You know anything else about him?”
    “Not yet, just picked up that morsel this morning.”
    The intercom on Ted’s desk interrupted their conversation. “Sergeant Branson?”
    “Yup,” Ted said.
    “Is Lieutenant Pierce in there with you?”
    “Sure is.”
    “Tell her line four – it’s Maggie Sutton.”
    Lucinda didn’t want to take that call. She knew she probably should take that call. The indecision left her mute.
    “C’mon, Lucinda,” Ted said. “It’s your sister. You have to take that call.”
    “Oh, that’s just terrific coming from you. Why won’t you answer the phone calls from your wife’s lawyer?”
    “Holy shit, Lucinda. My wife tried to kill you. I thought after that you would understand.”
    “I understand one thing – you are an asshole.”
    The female voice on the intercom jumped into the fray. “Lieutenant?”
    “Yeah, yeah. I’ll take it in my office. And don’t let Branson run like a girl the next time Ellen’s attorney calls.”
    “Uh, yes, ma’am,” the voice stammered.
    Lucinda stomped out the door and down the hall.
    Ted turned to the intercom. “You still there?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Ignore that woman.”
    “As if …” she said and shut down the connection.
     
    In her office, Lucinda picked up the receiver. “Yes?”
    “Oh, that’s nice, Lucinda. You haven’t spoken to me for more than a year and you can’t say ‘Hello,’ ‘How are you?’ or anything civilized. Just a ‘Yes?’, like this is the fortieth call I’ve made to you today?”
    “Cut the crap, Maggie. What do you want?”
    “You are such a pleasant person. No wonder your husband walked out on you and no one else wanted you.”
    “Okay, Maggie, either you tell me why you called right now or I’m hanging up.”
    “You are so infuriating. Uncle Hank died.”
    “And?”
    “I thought you’d want to come for the funeral.”
    “Why?”
    “Aunt Connie is asking for you.”
    “Oh, that’s rich. As if I would come on her account. Good grief, the woman threw me out of the house the day before my seventeenth birthday. You remember that, don’t you?”
    “She had her reasons, Lucinda, you know that.”
    “Stupid reasons. Stupid woman. I’m sorry Uncle Hank is dead but since he’s gone and I can’t visit with him, I’m sure not driving up there to offer phony comfort to a woman who hates me.”
    “She doesn’t hate you, Lucinda. She’s family.”
    “Oh, so now, you’re going to tell me that you don’t hate me either?”
    “You are my sister, Lucinda.”
    “And that means what? That you hate me but you are not allowed to acknowledge it? Give me a break, Maggie.”
    “She needs you, Lucinda. You are obligated to attend this funeral. It’s family.”
    “Oh, don’t make me laugh – even without my experience with our family unit, my job has taught me there is no limit to the horror one family member can visit upon another.”
    “Lucinda, this is a one-time event – it’s a funeral. It is tomorrow at Whitten’s. I will expect you to be here.”
    A cynical laugh passed Lucinda’s lips before she said, “I never have lived up to your expectations, Maggie. Can’t see any reason why I should start now.” A wave