While Justice Sleeps(92)

“We do.” Bending, Avery snatched up her bag and rummaged inside. “I didn’t have a chance to tell you what we found in Georgia. I think this is the codicil.”

“You found it?!”

“Yes.” She placed the pages on the table and pushed them across to him. “Like you said, it was instructions in case of a catastrophic event. He left an advance health directive. This should help, right? Proves he wanted me in charge and not Celeste, unless I refused to follow his directions.”

Noah reached for the papers. He read them over once, then again. After a third pass, he lifted his head to the expectant eyes watching him. “It’s an excellent start, except that he tells you he wants to die by the end of term. What the devil does he expect me to do with that?”

“I don’t know,” Avery muttered. Noticing a frown from Ling, who was reading something on her tablet, Avery asked, “Is it Rita?”

“No,” Ling soothed, “but it’s not good. Scott Curlee cites an unnamed source reporting that you’ve been suspended from the Supreme Court pending an investigation into drug use.” She shifted to include Noah in her field of vision. “The story speculates that Justice Wynn’s coma isn’t because of Boursin’s. They’re saying he OD’d.”

    Noah scoffed, “How did they get that? They’re just making things up now.”

“They know a tox screen was run on his blood.” Ling slid the tablet to Avery. “It’s probably a leak from the lab. Unfortunately, his doctors cannot rebut the story without violating doctor-patient privilege.”

“Should I put out a statement?” Avery asked, exhaustion deadening her voice. “There’s no guardian-ward privilege. Besides, we should have the results back by tomorrow.”

“I should check with the senior partners and our PR guy,” Noah said. “How about you contact the press secretary at the Court? See what he advises.”

Avery checked the time on her phone and whispered, “Guys, I have to make it to the Memorial by nine. It’s already eight thirty.”

“I really don’t like the thought of you going alone,” Jared warned. “We can reconnect and reschedule.”

“No.” Bending over her purse, she slipped her wallet out and into her pocket. “She’s already skittish. We reschedule, and I might not get another shot. If this isn’t Betty Papaleo, then we’re looking for a needle in a really big pile of needles. Ling, can I borrow your phone?”

“Hold on,” Jared reminded her. “There’s an agent on the door, one near the elevator, and one downstairs. I could distract one, but not all three.”

“What about the stairwell?” offered Ling. “We’re twelve stories up, but you’re young and it’s all downhill from here.”

“Ha-ha. Noah, I assume the doors are key-coded but not the stairwell doors for fire safety,” Avery clarified.

“Correct, but you’ll need a key card to get out at the bottom floor. Lock deactivates in an emergency, but otherwise, you still need permission.”

“Can you get me one?”

“Of course,” Noah said, rising and heading for the door. “One key card and expensive press advice coming up.”

    “Ling, I need to know as much as you can find on the haplogroup research—even the weird rumors. If companies researched this, there had to be experiments or at least discussions. Backtrack all the scientists, and cross-reference their research and their employers.”

“Sure thing, Columbo.”

Fighting a smile, she instructed Jared, “The FOIA request from Justice Wynn. Can you find a quicker way to locate what he was asking for? A routine request from any one of us will take too long.”

“I’m still not sold on you going out there alone.”

“If Betty or Wilma is really a threat, I’ll be in the open. But unless someone has a better plan, I’m going. Now.”

Agent Leighton frowned as Avery entered the corridor. “Ms. Keene, I just spoke to Mr. Fox about leaving. I’d prefer you all stay together,” she insisted.

“I’m just going down the hall to his office,” Avery replied, pointing to the door that stood ajar a few yards away. “I have a question for Noah, and I’d like some privacy.”

After considering the request, Agent Leighton inclined her head. The attorney’s office was also in her line of vision. “Quickly, please.”

“Deal.” Before the woman could change her mind, Avery firmly shut the conference room door. She headed down the hall and entered his office, where he’d settled behind the desk. “Noah, key card, please.”

“Sure.” He reached for his pocket to retrieve the disk of plastic.

“One more question about the stairwell. Is it monitored?”

“Not that they’ve told us lowly associates.”

“Can you help distract Agent Leighton?” she asked. “I’ll be back by ten thirty at the latest.”

“On it. The key card will let you out into the lobby. The coffee shop on the ground floor has a doorway to the alley, where folks like to smoke. You can duck through there and avoid the agents.”

“Thanks.”

They walked into the hallway and up to Agent Leighton. Noah motioned through the soundproof glass to Jared, who came out to join them. “I’m going to put Avery in a guest office to do some research and talk to the hospital.”