Ch. 4: Sonia

After the usual greetings, Wyland led his new clients back to his office and bade them to sit opposite him at his large, sparsly decorated oak desk. He had all his degrees framed up nicely behind him. He hoped it added a hint of credibility to the farce that was his professional and personal life. 

He waited until the woman and boy had both sat down, then eased into his seat. He clasped his hands before him, arms resting on the table, and began to stare at them, as though lost as to how to start. He waited until she had opened her mouth to speak, and put up a finger to stop her, and then fumbled through his pockets. He pulled out a small recorder, hit play, and placed it on the table. 

"This is just so I can take better notes; try to ignore it". They looked at the device suspiciously, as though it could jump up and bite them. Wyland smiled politely. "Trust me, no one else will hear these recordings". 

He looked to the woman. "So, your name is Sonia Elizabeth Yarrow?"

"Yes."

"And you are sister to the Late Richard "Dick" Yarrow?

"Yes."

Wyland now looked inquisitively at the boy. "And you, son, what did you say your name was?"

"Jonathan Alderman."

"And what is your relation to the deceased?"

"He's my uncle."

Wyland scrunched up his forehead. "I was unaware Dick has... had a nephew."

"What difference does it make who he is? He's my son." Sonia snapped.

Wyland, aware now that Sonia was, despite her fading beauty, probably not going to be an enjoyable client, drew a deep breath and carefully said "Ms. Yarrow, all your family may be part of this. We can't have you leaving out important information like the existence of a nephew. Was he present at the, uh, party where Dick was, uh..."

"Cursed?" She said curtly. Wyland nodded silently. 

"Yes, he was there."

"I wasn't in the room, but I heard it. Evil shit."

"Well, I'm going to need you to tell me, each of you, seperately, what you heard. Exactly. Word for word."

"I would like to hear what your mother has to say about it first, so if you wouldn't mind waiting in the lobby. Help yourself to coffee and donuts. I'll talk to you about it in a bit."

Jonathan got up and left the room.