BREAKING CURSED BONDS

by Elisabeth Zguta

  “So, Robert just happened to be armed with the antidote, sodium thiosulfate, to help Rachael detoxify. But the question is, how did he know she needed it? I don’t like this twist,” Emilie said.

  “Well, thank God she’s better now. Who knows, maybe Robert had ringworm.”

  Emilie punched Jeremy in the arm.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Three days of calling hours were held at the funeral parlor, a long, consuming ritual. Business associates paraded past the family to pay their respects, most also trying to gain an edge for future deals. People from all over the world sent their condolences if unable to attend. With a successful enterprise comes a responsibility to the community: family obligation kept them standing in place, like sentries at a gate, accepting the kind words. Hour after hour, people swept by the three siblings. For Emilie, their faces blurred into one massive silhouette, and she blocked out as much as possible. She was still struggling to sort out all the echoes left in her mind from the blitz that had happened in the other world.

  Jeremy stood by her side, which helped her to be brave, but he worried about her too much. She certainly wasn’t about to tell him everything she was experiencing. She wanted to protect him, and was afraid too much information might send him packing. It was bad enough just knowing that her brother stood beside them playing at being a good son, when they all knew he was somehow behind so much of this drama.

  There was another reason Emilie spared Jeremy her burden. She knew he still grieved for his Uncle Thaddeus; his funeral wasn’t much more than a month ago. Jeremy talked about the promise he’d made, and planned to keep it. Jeremy would have no rest until he discovered who had paid Mr. Pierce to steal the journal from his Uncle Thaddeus in the first place. While he and Emilie had been chasing down burial sites, he had hired someone to track Pierce. To that end, Jeremy had received a call the day they returned to Memphis. His sources reported that Mr. Pierce was once again staying at the Peabody Hotel. Jeremy planned on paying him a visit soon, after the funeral business was over.

  Each night after calling hours, they went back to the house, where Emilie crashed after taking a sleeping pill. This was not how she wanted to deal with things. Her worst nightmare was happening to her. She was losing control, and was afraid she may lose Jeremy, too.

  On the fourth day, a Catholic Mass was scheduled. Barely conscious of her surroundings, Emilie walked down the aisle flanked with oak pews. Jeremy escorted her to the bench where Michelle, Robert, and Rachael were already seated. She smelled the heavy fumes from the incense as the altar boy swung the thurible over the coffin, its clatter rattling her nerves. Memories of her mother’s funeral haunted her, and she slipped into depression. She wanted to be left alone, but everyone’s emotions scratched at her mind, threatening her with another possible clairvoyant break-in.

  When the somber Mass finished, a long procession of cars drove to the cemetery to lay Pierre’s body to rest in the plot next to his beloved Bethany. A large pecan tree shaded the area and a breeze skipped across the wide lawn, giving them relief from the hot, late-morning sun. Emilie stood beside Michelle, holding her hand as they cried. Jeremy stood behind them, his hands on their shoulders. Rachael shed tears too, and gently dried the corners of her eyes with a Kleenex. Emilie was happy her friend was alive and well.

  Robert stood alone without remorse.

  The casket lowered into the ground, the last flowers strewn on top of the grave. Emilie made the sign of the cross, then turned to walk back to the limo.

  “Thank God that’s over,” Robert said just before they reached the car.

  Emilie wiped her eyes. “We have no more parents to bury, Robert.”

  He shrugged and walked faster to catch up to Jeremy, who had gone ahead to open the car door. Her brother leaned toward Jeremy and said, ”What’s your game, Englishman? Are you a sap in love with my sister, or just another purse chaser?”

  Emilie was behind them and heard the taunt. Her face burned. “Robert! What the hell are you saying?”

  “Never you mind. I need to get out of this place and have a drink. Let’s go already.”

  On the fifth day after Pierre’s death, John Lawson, Esquire, was expected at the house to read the last will and testament. All the people concerned mingled in the front parlor. Robert played host to those who had an interest in the will. Emilie watched him sway as he crossed the room. He obviously had a few drinks under his belt already. He gave no indication that he felt their father’s loss. His sedated smile looked foreign, and Emilie wondered what had happened to the brother she knew and loved. He was a tragedy. She hoped Rachael hadn’t noticed his inebriation.

  “Would anyone care for a drink?” he called out.

  “I’ll pass,” Jeremy said.

  “Me, too,” said Emilie.

  “Make that three, none for me,” Michelle said. Emilie watched her sister. She looked anxious, and who could blame her? Soon Robert would learn the truth, and they had no idea how he’d react.

  “Well, aren’t you like the Three Musketeers, or would that be the three stooges?” Robert chuckled. “Sober little mice, aren’t you all? Maybe you should lighten up a little, Emilie.” Robert laughed, thinking himself clever.

  Emilie turned away, and felt her face turn red.

  “Robert, really, don’t you think you’ve had enough?” Michelle said.

  “I’m just getting started,” he replied.

  “We need to talk,” she persisted. “Listen to me, Rob, please. There’s something you need to know about Tom Bennett. It’s important. The sooner we talk the better.”

  “Oh please. Michelle, when I want advice from my baby sister I’ll ask. Until then, shut it,” he said.

  Robert smiled, but Emilie sensed his fury toward his own sisters. The funeral had been a huge affair, and during the drama, Robert publicly played the dutiful son and the honorable new husband, with Rachael by his side. Important people attended, people of influence that Robert wanted on his side. He was a born manipulator. Emilie knew that, having watched him in action on many occasions. He put on a good show; Robert had everyone fooled except the family. His sisters knew his true feelings about Father, even though misguided.

  Robert turned his head when a voice from across the room called out. “I’ll take a scotch and water, please.” It was Tom Bennett, Emilie recognized his evil smile as he sauntered closer to the bar.

  “Well, hello again, Miss de Gourgues,” he said.

  A cold shiver trickled down her back, and her skin crawled. Emilie glared at him and turned to leave, disgusted that he was there.

  She heard her brother say as she walked away, “One scotch and water coming up. I wasn’t expecting you here today, Tom. I’m surprised, but it’s always good to see you.” Robert handed Tom Bennett a glass and raised his in a toast.

  “Thank you, Robert,” Emilie heard Bennett say. “I just wanted to lend you my support. I don’t have an interest in the will, but I’m hoping we can speak after you’re finished here, if I’m not imposing.” The man grinned. “Could you stop by the Peabody, at your convenience, of course?”

  He stood there chatting up Robert, brazen and dark, so smug in her father’s house. Tom Bennett was not a good man; others in the room looked over at him and whispered amongst themselves as he attempted feeble jokes. He and Robert laughed, as though they’d forgotten the somber reason for the occasion. Bennett was trouble, and Emilie wished he’d crawl away into some dark corner, somewhere far from them.

  Afraid she was going to be sick, Emilie left before she had to hear any more. In the foyer, Michelle caught up to her.

  “Emilie, wait,” she called. “Do you believe his gall? And Rob standing there yakking with him, and Father only dead a few days. Already the vultures are circling.”

  “Father was right about Tom Bennett. He’s evil,” Emilie said.

  A moment later, Tom Bennett walked past them on his way out, sauntering as if he owned the place.

  “Michelle, restra
in your anger, please. You’re giving me a headache.”

  “Sorry, it makes me seethe to see that arrogant man here. Robert was already so bitter, now there will be no turning him back to the family. It would take a miracle. And in a few minutes he’ll hate me more than ever, as soon as the truth is revealed.”

  “Don’t worry, Michelle. It will be all right.”

  “Easy for you to say, Em. Secrecy was necessary to save Robert from criminal charges, so not many people know the entire story. They’ll think I’m the gold digger. Top that off with the fact that in order to keep Robert from jail, everything has to remain quiet. Unfortunately, that means Tom Bennett walks free, too. Stew over that a minute.”

  ”There you two are,” Jeremy said, joining them in the foyer. “After seeing Bennett here, I thought you might need this.” He handed them each a glass of wine.

  “Thank you, sir.” Jeremy always made her feel better. She reached into her pocket and rubbed the small shell that she’d kept with her since he’d given it to her.

  Emilie checked her watch. While they waited for the will to be read, the replacement security locks and codes to all the offices were being installed. Pierre’s secretary Laura had been given a pink slip the day before, and she had signed a confidentiality agreement in return for immunity to prosecution. Laura had happily signed, but she never implicated Robert. Not that it mattered, Emilie reflected. She and Michelle knew the truth.

  John Lawton, their lawyer, had followed her father’s wishes and drawn up the necessary paperwork after their last meeting. Father wanted to avoid slander around the family name, at all costs. Now, it was up to Michelle and Emilie to finish the last part of Father’s plan. Emilie stood there, her stomach in knots, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  Mr. Lawson passed by her in the foyer and entered the parlor. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please? As acting attorney and executor of Pierre’s last will and testament, I’d like to begin. First, I would like to go through some wishes that concern the staff and friends, and then I ask that the children and Reverend Eddie, please meet with me in the library afterward.”

  He read the part of the will covering various charities that Pierre had remembered with contributions. Then, the staff and longtime loyal employees from the company were given various lump sums of money for their loyal service. A final statement of thanks was read and then most of the room emptied out, except for Nina, of course. She stayed on and started cleaning up the mess left behind. The family converged in the library to finish the reading of Pierre’s will.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  The three siblings, Robert, Emilie and Michelle, as well as Rachael, Jeremy, and Father Eddie, filed into the library. There were six chairs taken from the dining room and set up facing the desk for this occasion. The sun shined through the windows and made the room feel a bit stuffy. Emilie and Jeremy seated themselves at the farthest end.

  Mr. Lawson followed them in and closed the doors behind him. He marched rigidly across the room and sat behind Pierre’s desk. He was facing them all, and did a quick visual inventory as if he were a teacher taking attendance. His fresh-pressed dark suit and starched white shirt offset his silver hair. On most days, he appeared to Emilie as a confident man, but today he looked cautious as he sorted through the pages in front of him. Emilie knew he must have reservations about doing this task, having dealt with Robert before. From this day forward, Robert would consider him the enemy, after the reading of the will, and her brother was not the kind of man one wanted as an enemy. Clearing his throat, Mr. Lawson began.

  “Good afternoon. Let me start by giving my heartfelt condolences. Pierre was an exquisite man and my dear friend for many years. I will miss him. He loved you children, and he carefully planned his will to ensure the best outcome for each of you. He tried to give you each what you needed to succeed in becoming good people . . . happy people. Your father hoped one day you’d be content in life, as your mother had been.”

  Robert’s face was red as he shifted in his chair. He was seated on the other end of the row, and clearly agitated already with Mr. Lawson’s sentiments.

  “Please, Mr. Lawson,” he interrupted, “can we get on with it? I need to check on things at the office.”

  Rachael tugged at his sleeve. “Please, Robert, let him continue as he sees fit.”

  Robert rolled his eyes, letting everyone know his patience was thin and he was only appeasing them for now. The room fell quiet and Mr. Lawson continued.

  “Well, as I was saying, Pierre wants you all to succeed. The family estate is a large responsibility. Because of this, he wanted one person to be at the helm, to prevent . . .” he reflected for a second, “confusion between you siblings.“ He turned and looked directly at Emilie. “Miss Emilie, your father knew how much you cared for the family. Always there to support everyone, you were a rock for him, staying in Memphis and by his side over the years.”

  Robert let out a loud sigh. Emilie frowned and then glared in his direction. He dropped his head into his hands.

  “Because you were such a devoted daughter, Pierre felt that tying you down to run the company full-time wasn’t in your best interest. You’ve already given enough of yourself.”

  A big grin broke across Robert’s face. Emilie knew he was relieved that she didn’t have control over the company, now he probably thought he was guaranteed to inherit that honor himself. He was in for a big letdown.

  “Emilie,” Mr. Lawson continued, speaking directly to her now, “your father wanted you to be able to expand your horizons. You’re free to do what you want, to be yourself. Running the company on a daily basis would only tie you down here. You still own half of the business interests, and you can assist when needed, but that’s where your obligations end. You won’t need to stay in Memphis any longer, if you choose to go elsewhere.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  “So, Emilie, be free and discover what you need in life.” Mr. Lawson smiled.

  Emilie leaned toward Jeremy, and they shared a smile. Their future had just gotten a little easier. Unfortunately, she still had to deal with her clairvoyance, which lately seemed more like a curse than a gift. Her heart was held hostage by ugly emotions that didn’t even belong to her.

  Mr. Lawson cleared his throat and then addressed them all.

  “Pierre gave a great deal of thought to the remainder of the estate,” he continued. His hands began to shake, and the paper he held onto rattled.

  Robert picked up on his uneasiness and looked puzzled. He shot a glance at Emilie, but she turned away.

  “For this reason, he left the other half of the business interests of the estate to one person, who will have full control over all daily business transactions. This person will be the chief executive, overseeing the board of directors.” He wet his lips. Emilie remained poised at the edge of her seat, waiting for him to deliver the final blow.

  “Pierre stipulated that his youngest daughter, Michelle, would take over these duties immediately. Michelle, we can go over things in more detail at your earliest convenience—”

  Robert jumped from his chair in protest. He was visibly shaking in anger. “Wait one damn minute! I am the rightful heir. Michelle is no businesswoman; she doesn’t know the first thing about our company. For God’s sake, she’s been in Boston for the past ten years. You’ve got to be insane to think this is Father’s wishes! I am the one who knows the business, I am the one who will run the businesses. This is a fraud and will be contested. Clearly, there’s been a mistake.”

  Everyone in the room reacted to Robert’s outburst. Mr. Lawson tried to appear calm, gesturing for Robert to sit, but Emilie knew that even he was intimidated.

  “Now just hold on there, Robert. Simmer down and let me explain,” he said. “Your father’s will was well thought out, as I have already said. It was notarized, and witnessed by upstanding people. There are no grounds to contest his request, I assure you. Let me read exactly what he wrote concerning this, word for wor
d if need be.”

  Robert stood unmoving, like a freight train ready to head down the tracks, steaming with rage as Mr. Lawson began to read Pierre’s words.

  “The businesses owned by the estate will be under the direction of my daughter Michelle, with whom I have every confidence and trust. She will enact the best interest of the businesses, as well as the best interests of the family. This choice has weighed heavily on my mind, and has been well conceived and thoroughly evaluated. In my sound mind, I know this is the only course to protect the family interests and its legacy . . .”

  Mr. Lawson mumbled, “There are a few more lines here, as it goes on . . .

  “Read them,” Robert demanded.

  Mr. Lawson picked up the document from the desk, stood straight, and began to read again.

  “There have been troubling issues in recent months and I am concerned by my son’s involvement. To keep the company and the family protected from unlawful events in the future, I remove my son Robert from any affiliation with the family business interests in any capacity. Prior illegal activity on his part, that had been monitored, will not be revealed to anyone outside a small circle of trusted advisers and friends—”

  “You have got to be kidding!” Robert shouted. “I am his only son and the rightful heir. I will fight this in court, and I promise you will regret this day. My father was the one acting crazy for months. He wasn’t in his right mind. Many witnessed it, including Emilie.”

  Robert waved his hand toward Emilie, his eyes pleading for her to speak up. She shook her head at her brother, and refused to look away.

  Waving his hands downward, Mr. Lawson again tried to calm Robert. A few moments later, it was quiet in the room. Robert sat back down. No one else dared to speak up. Rachael patted Robert’s arm, but he jerked it away in anger.

  “Can I finish, Robert?” Mr. Lawson continued. “In a nutshell, your two sisters will each own half the business interests of the estate. Michelle will be the one managing the day-to-day business of the companies and its affiliates. Emilie will be there as a support, of course, and can step in at any time if need be. However, Robert, you’re not left out in the cold, not by any means. A sizable inheritance is set up for you to receive, as well. You have the mansion. The house belongs to you with only one provision: that you allow your sisters to live here too, if they wish.”