I asked.
"Yes."
"Have you spoken to the police in Washington State?"
"No. Not yet."
"Why not use a private eye in Washington State?"
"Because Detective Sherbet recommended you."
"How do you know Sherbet?"
"He's a friend of a friend. I was told he was someone who could help."
I nodded. Something about her story wasn't jiving. And perhaps more interesting, my inner alarm began to gently ring just inside my ear. I said, "Why do you think someone killed your grandfather?"
"Because he was very rich."
"That's a reason," I said. "But that's not enough for me to take this case and to take your money. Who was there when he died?"
"We were all there."
"Who's we?"
"The entire family. We use his house and island for our annual reunion."
"You said he died a year ago."