Murder on Bradbury Hill
Page 10
“You’re a billionaire Jake;” cried Janet, “my boss is a billionaire.”
***
After a call to Eli Grant that got him nowhere, Jake called Alex Snow.
“Wow, I’m not an estate planning attorney but I know you can refuse a bequeath. The inheritance would then be passed on to the next of kin. That would be Katie Bradbury. I believe there is enough proof she is related to Emma and Anna Bradbury. Let me check and get back to you. Buddy, I’d advise you not to do anything rash. Give it some time and let it sink in.”
“I’ll talk to Kenzie about it, but I can’t picture either of us being a part of the one percent.”
***
The law office of Eli Grant
Alex requested a meeting with Eli, Jake and Katie Bradbury to discuss the Bradbury will. Kenzie and Clem were present along with Amanda Kirby, an estate planning attorney from Jake’s office.
“I’ve never heard such nonsense,” said Eli Grant. He looked at Jake with scorn. “You want to disclaim your rightful inheritance?”
“Yes, sir, I appreciate the Bradbury sisters’ generosity. However, I feel owning their estate and their holdings is more of a burden than I can accept. Katherine Bradbury is the rightful beneficiary and I will let her speak for herself.”
“Mr. Grant,” said Katie attempting to hide her intimidation, “I understand as a blood relative, I am entitled to the Bradbury estate. However, like Jake, I refuse to accept the burden. I oversee the operation of a mid-sized ranch in Wyoming, and I am hardly qualified to manage a billion-dollar estate.”
“There are people who do management for a living. Sell the mansion and everything in it and live where you want. If you both disclaim the estate, the state of New York will be the beneficiary. Is that what you want?”
“Mr. Grant, there is another solution if Mr. Morgan or Ms. Bradbury accept the inheritance, that person could set up a non-profit foundation in the Bradbury name. The holdings would aid those less fortunate. Also, the Bradbury mansion, with some alterations could house senior citizens who cannot afford the high cost of assisted living care. Whoever accepts the inheritance could have as much or as little participation in the projects as they wish.”
“I don’t care what they do with the money as long as we have a reading of the will and get this thing over.”
Jake was named the official beneficiary of the Bradbury estate as Katie requested. “Jake, you are here in Oakwood Park, it makes sense you are the one to oversee the projects.”
Jake and Katie visited the mansion together, “I want you to take mementos you like home with you.” The only thing she wanted was a ceramic horse she found in the bedroom where she imagined her great-grandfather slept.
***
Katie and Clem left the following day to return to the Bradbury Cattle Ranch and the horses Katie loved. They promised to return to see the mansion when the remodeling was complete, and the rooms filled with folks enjoying their remaining years.
Epilogue
Katie Bradbury
Clem kept his word about seeing that Katie and Ned Granger admitted their attraction to each other. One visit to the ranch and watching how gentle Katie was with her cherished horses, convinced Ned she was the girl for him. The two are planning a June wedding when Katie wears the dress her mother wore when she married Katie’s father.
Alexander Snow
The confirmed bachelor has asked Lindsey Sutton to marry him. Jamie still squeals when Alex comes to call. Although Margaret will miss her daughter and grandson, she is happy Lindsey will be safe with the fine man with whom she will spend the rest of her life.
Rebecca Snow
Although Rebecca enjoys hosting the local morning show, she finds she has less time for her gardening and the community playhouse. After meeting Harvey Rutledge’s granddaughter, an aspiring actress, she wonders if it isn’t time to turn over the reigns of the show to a member of the younger generation.
Detective Dan North
Another Community Playhouse season has ended, and Dan will miss it. He’s not about to quit his day job but the distraction of being an actor makes the bad times on the force more bearable. He and Detective Erica West see each other away from work. They don’t talk about the future and both seem satisfied with the way things are between them.
Jess King
Jess pleaded guilty to robbery, thankful he wasn’t charged with murder. Because it was his first offense, he was given probation and sentenced to six-months community service. During the time of probation, he met an attractive widow who thought the handsome smart-aleck kid had potential. She introduced him to a world he’d previously only dreamed about. She would eventually tire of him but not before he’d tasted the good life and met many rich widows who yearned to lavish him with gifts.
Jake and Mackenzie Morgan
The wedding of Jake and Mackenzie Morgan was held in the parlor of the newly remodeled Bradbury Hill Senior Living Center with the happy residence in attendance. Jake is a local hero for donating the Bradbury fortune to the newly established Bradbury foundation. Along with sponsoring various charitable events, the foundation offers full and partial scholarships to graduating high school students. The newlyweds traveled west on their honeymoon stopping at the Bradbury Cattle Ranch. Kenzie agreed with her friend Katie that the sunrise never looked more beautiful than seeing it atop a horse.
The newlyweds returned to Oakwood Park ready to begin their life in their new home on Applewood Circle.
Coming Soon
Murder on Applewood Circle
A Rebecca Snow Cozy Mystery
Newlyweds, Mackenzie and Jake Morgan move into their new home on Applewood Circle in their hometown of Oakwood Park.
Kenzie’s old drama teacher and friend, Harvey Rutledge and his wife, Vivian, live next door. Their granddaughter, Erin, is their houseguest for the summer.
The remaining neighbors are friendly. They have cookouts together, watch each other’s pets, feed the fish and water their plants when they are on vacation.
The six houses on the circle surround a plot of land with large boulders, small shrubbery and a manicured lawn.
On a warm summer morning, before the sun comes up, a loud scream is heard throughout the circle. The scream awakens those who are sleeping and startles those who are in their kitchens brewing coffee to start the day.
Everyone comes running in their pajamas, nightshirts and all stages of dress. Vivian Rutledge, unable to speak, stands holding her barking dog in her arms. Everyone follows her terrified eyes to a man lying on his back with dried blood circling a bullet hole in his chest.
Each family in the circle has a story to tell and a secret they are keeping possibly involving the dead man. Who is this man? What secrets are being kept and who among them is guilty of cold-blooded murder?