Once she was rich, she could run far from this place and forget. Or try to forget. Focus on the money, she told herself, forget last night and focus on the money. She repeated the mantra in her head as she stood and left the room, her stomach as jumpy as a shy girl on the first day of high school.
Janice made it to the top of the stairs on shaky legs and saw Dennis in the lobby, hopping impatiently from one foot to the other. She saw his relief at her appearance and allowed herself a smile. He was like a big dumb puppy, and that made her feel safe. Dennis was no threat. She would use him to stay strong. Her knees wobbled as she walked down the stairs, but she made it. To her husband’s surprise, she folded her arm through his as they entered the conference room together.
They were the first to arrive and took their assigned seats at opposite ends of the table. Dennis noticed all thirteen chairs were set, just as they had been when they first arrived. He wondered why that might be. Surely the people who had been rejected would not be forced to watch as the others were given their money? Dennis couldn’t imagine what cruel twist this might foreshadow. The Old Man had already unleashed so many surprises, who knew what yet was to come?
Dennis thought his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Caroline Smith enter the room. She wore a tailored Vera Wang suit and looked every inch a CEO. He saw her shoot a hostile look toward Janice, but his wife was not looking and missed it.
Smith was irritated she was not first to arrive, but she had been pleased by a suitably shocked expression on Dennis’s face. The bitch housekeeper never looked up, she didn’t have the nerve to face her. Caroline could be patient. She took her seat and smiled. She faced the door and would have the satisfaction of seeing each person’s reaction as they saw her.
$
Betty Freah and Philip chatted animatedly as they entered the conference room, but stopped abruptly when they saw Smith. Philip looked at her with a puzzled expression. He recalled the Judge’s surprise appearance at breakfast. Was this part of the philanthropist’s plan?
He guessed Billy Bird would sort it out, so he nodded in Smith’s direction and took his seat. He felt awkward and looked to his right where Betty was seated, then smiled as she gave him a shrug and a grin. Not much bothered Betty and today she was so happy that not even Caroline’s surprise appearance could spoil her mood.
$
Bethany and Camille came in to the room, with Junior behind. The two girls glared at Caroline, but Junior didn’t even see her, he was busy looking for Janice. He saw his target and leered, but it was wasted because she never looked up. She would look at him soon enough. His conquests always had to look him in the eye eventually. That she made him wait just extended the thrill.
He noticed Bethany had stopped and was staring. He looked and for the first time saw Caroline Smith in her seat and for a moment, he was as confused as his sister. “What are you doing here Caroline? This meeting is for people who will share my father’s money. I believe the losers get to go home. That would include you.”
She did not reply but shot him a venomous look. Junior snorted, if the rules said she had to watch him get rich, so be it.
Bethany and Camille watched Smith warily and were taking their seats when Judge Freeman strode into the room. He had expected to see the room full and was disappointed that only half the people had witnessed his entrance.
He was even more surprised to see Caroline Smith at the table. He had overheard a conversation at breakfast and was certain that both Smith and Hagood had also been thrown out. He must have heard wrong otherwise there was no reason for her to be here. His deal was not for the benefit of any other rejects. If William Bird had misunderstood, Freeman would soon correct him.
$
Larry MacLean and Winnie Tremethick strolled in together. She was on his arm and clearly enjoying his company. She expressed no curiosity that the Judge and Caroline Smith were back, but Larry did. He shot a look at Bethany and Junior, who both shrugged, confusion apparent on their faces.
MacLean had a sense of growing dread and was afraid the events he’d witnessed last night were connected to the reappearance of both Caroline Smith and the Judge. William Bird appeared at last, carrying a yellow envelope and his laptop. He showed no surprise at the presence of the two rejected guests but took his seat and began to tap away at his computer. Larry’s heart beat faster, something was badly wrong. He could feel it.
The tension around the table ratcheted up another notch when Freddie Hagood strode in. MacLean’s heart sank, Hagood’s arrival was confirmation that something was seriously awry. He’d heard Freddie’s anger when he listened through his door last night, yet now the magnate appeared calm and collected. He was in business mode and for Larry that meant storm clouds on the horizon.
$
William knew the exact moment Freddie arrived, without needing to turn. He heard Bethany’s sharp intake of breath and other’s exclamations of surprise and felt nine pairs of eyes land on him at the same time, all with the same question behind them.
He closed his laptop. He didn’t need it. It had been something to keep his hands busy until this moment. He saw he already had every person’s undivided attention and cleared his throat. “Good morning, I’m sure some of you are surprised to see you are reunited as a group.”
“Jesus H. Christ, Bird. Are you deliberately understating it, or do you think we’re morons? Of course, we want to know why the losers are back. What the fuck is going on?”
William held up his hand and waited for Junior to shut up. “I’m afraid there has been a change of plan. The deal you reached yesterday is no longer valid. It was rendered void by the actions of one person last night. Today we start a new process that requires all twelve of you.”
The room exploded in noise and fury. Only the Judge, Freddie, and Janice said nothing. The Judge’s face was set in stone, but he wondered what the hell Bird was talking about, this was what not he had demanded.
Freddie watched the family as they yelled abuse at the lawyer with faces twisted into ugly visages of greed and anger as they realized their inheritance was once more up for grabs. Janice sat with her hands folded in her lap, as her nails cut into her palms and hot tears ran down her cheeks.
William did not respond to the tide of outrage. He raised his hand, but it made no difference, so he sat and stared straight ahead until people realized they’d get no answers until they let him speak. As the last voice fell silent, inevitably Junior’s, he continued. “Your agreement was voided before midnight yesterday, therefore, the fortune has been reduced by the twenty per cent penalty.”
Larry MacLean was furious and led renewed howls of anger. “What the fuck do you mean, Bill? We could have reconvened if you’d told us last night. What is going on here?” He pointed a finger at Caroline Smith. “This is your doing Caroline, I saw you march out of Bill’s office last night, what have you done?”
She shot to her feet and yelled back at MacLean. “I’ve done nothing, you idiot. Bird wanted to see me. I didn’t make this happen, but I’m damned glad it did!” She snarled, but Larry saw the truth in her eyes. She was mean and triumphal, but she was telling the truth.
William raised both hands and pleaded for quiet. It took a full five minutes before he got them under control. He took a breath. “I work under a set of strict instructions left by Mr. Thurwell. I have little control over what happens, and I ask you all to remember that.”
He looked around, they were angry, but they were listening. “Your deal was voided last night when I received a blackmail threat. My instructions for dealing with such a threat are simple. Before any discussion of dividing the fortune can proceed, each of you must satisfy conditions demanded by Mr. Thurwell.”
He raised the yellow envelope, so they could all see it. “In this envelope is a collection of secrets. Each of you has something you would prefer remain secret from the world, and the people in this room. That is no longer an option if you wish to share in the fortune.”
He sa
w the color drain from his guest’s faces. Even Freddie Hagood looked worried. “Mr. Thurwell’s idea is simple. Blackmail has been threatened, and he calculated the safest way to neutralize the threat is for you to share your secrets with each other. By doing so, each of you loses the power to use blackmail to manipulate the negotiations.
“The midnight penalty remains in effect, so I recommend you decide quickly if you wish to participate. If you refuse to share your secret, it will remain safe, but you will no longer be eligible to continue.”
William heard more protests, but their fury had been extinguished. Now the sound of complaints was tinged with fear. Every person was scared about losing a share of the money but at the same time they were terrified about what they might be forced to reveal. Some had many secrets and did not know which one mattered. A few could think of nothing in particular. All of them were concerned about losing the chance to share in the Thurwell fortune.
$
A thin voice rose above the din and asked a question that stopped the noise. Everyone looked at Janice Elliot, who stood, pale and shaking. “Who? Who was it, William? Who did this to us?”
Judge Freeman was afraid. He was shocked at how his desperate play had turned out and wished he could turn the clock back. These people would hate him if Bird revealed his identity. He closed his eyes and prayed the lawyer would not reveal the blackmailer’s identity, but his hope was in vain when he saw Bird point at him.
“The Judge came to see me in my office last night and threatened to reveal a secret that would have severely damaged Mr. Thurwell’s reputation. Judge Freeman’s demands voided your agreement.”
People screamed at the Judge, and he stood to escape the angry mob, but found his way blocked by Janice. She trembled with anger as she looked up into his face. Freeman tried to slide past her when he felt something hot on his cheek.
Janice had spit in the Judge’s face. He stood still, shocked, as her thick spittle dripped onto his immaculate suit. Janice turned to walk away, but her legs buckled under her. Dennis was close enough to scoop her up before she hit the floor. No one spoke as they watched him carry his wife away.
A high-pitched giggle startled everyone, and they turned to see Junior laughing uncontrollably, his face twisted into something so cruel, his laughter seemed horrific. Bethany shuddered as she watched her brother. Her skin crawled and she eventually looked away. But no-one could block out the sound of Junior’s laughter.
Ron Freeman reached into his pocket and removed a silk handkerchief. His wife insisted he always carry one. She thought a clean white handkerchief was something a man from the South should always be armed with along with his manners. He wiped his face clean as the others watched and took a step forward. The angry group parted to allow him a narrow passage to the door.
He had to get to his room and remove the wet shame of Janice’s spittle. Freeman also needed time to think, his plan had gone seriously awry. He had no idea a settlement had been negotiated last night. The people who had expected to be rich this morning would not forgive him for robbing them of their settlement. The lawyer had also said the penalty reduced the fortune by twenty percent. They would not forgive him for that, either.
Chapter Sixteen
Dennis carried his wife to their suite and set her down gently on the bed. Jeremy had appeared in time to open the door for Dennis and was now talking softly on the telephone in the other room. Dennis ran cold water over a face cloth and dabbed at his wife’s forehead. “Wake up, Jan, please. Wake up.”
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Jeremy was back with a woman at his side. He introduced her as Sarah, a nurse. Sarah firmly moved Dennis out of the way to take a look at the semi-conscious patient. “Leave us, I’ve got this. I’ll take good care of her.”
Dennis thought about protesting, but Jeremy steered him from the room before words came. Before he knew what was happening, Dennis was perched on a wooden stool downstairs in the main kitchen, sipping a hot coffee as Jeremy moved among the kitchen staff, issuing orders in his calm, efficient manner.
Sarah assessed Janice’s condition. The woman was pale and her skin was clammy, but her breathing was regular, and her pulse was normal. Sarah figured she had simply fainted, Jeremy had told her there had been some sort of shock. She reached into her first aid kit and found a bottle of smelling salts. She cracked the top and wafted the bottle under Janice’s nostrils.
Janice coughed and tried to sit up but failed and began to cry in deep racking sobs that seemed to come from her very soul. Sarah soothed her, talking gently all the time. Eventually Janice quieted and looked up. “I don’t know you.”
There was fear in her voice, but Sarah introduced herself and Janice laid her head back down. “Do you know why you passed out?” Sarah asked because she should, not because she was interested. “I didn’t get much sleep. I got no rest last night. Then, this morning, it was all for nothing. I got nothing.”
There was a lot Janice was not saying, but if she wanted to keep her business to herself, it was none of Sarah’s concern. “Well, you’ll be fine. Get some rest and I’ll have soup brought up. Do you want a valium?”
“I just need to sleep, thanks.” Sarah packed up her small bag of medical items, pulled the drapes closed and quietly left Janice to rest.
$
The conference room was filled by excited, often angry voices. Larry, Bethany, Philip, Camille and Junior huddled together in a tight family group near the window, where Bethany tried to make sense of events. “What just happened? Our deal is void, we lost twenty percent of Father’s fortune, and now we have to share secrets. I don’t have secrets. Do you?”
She looked at each of them, but none could meet her eyes. Bethany did have a secret, they all did. She could not believe hers might be written on a piece of paper in Bird’s office. Surely no one knew? She was frightened and in that emotion, was in good company.
There was a moment of quiet until Larry spoke. “Whatever’s happened, it’s in our interests that these damned secrets are shared quickly. According to William, we lost twenty percent of the fortune last night, and the penalty clock is ticking again. I don’t see why we can’t put together the same deal as before, but first we have to get through this nonsense. Do you agree?” Philip pulled a face. “Do you think we can get the same deal Larry? Won’t Freddie and Caroline work against us? They did before.”
“No, Phil. They failed yesterday. All we have to do is keep our supporters loyal, and nothing has to change. We’ll still have the Elliots, Betty and even old Mrs. Tremethick on our side. Even if we have to increase their share a little, we’ll still win.”
Philip was reassured by Larry’s assessment, but Junior felt sick. He couldn’t tell the others, but he was certain that at least one of the Elliots would not vote with the family again. Bethany rallied them. “Okay, everyone stay focused. When you talk to anyone that supported us yesterday, make sure you shore up their support, we’ll need them all again. Let’s get this sordid blackmail thing out of the way and move on.”
Camille nodded but was concerned, her soft voice serious. “But, sister. What if the secrets we hear change the way we feel about each other? That could be a problem, non?”
Bethany shuddered. The same idea had occurred to her, and she was afraid Camille had raised a very real problem. “We’ll have to agree to not let whatever we hear affect our resolve.” Bethany worried that if the secret she feared most was in William’s envelope, the family might never understand.
She offered a nervous smile and saw the same reaction echoed on the other’s faces. Only Junior didn’t react, he seemed lost in his own thoughts. Bethany had been shocked by her brother’s outburst after Janice spat on the Judge. He had delighted in Janice’s reaction. Bethany was worried. Her brother had always been odd, but his laughter had sounded almost insane. She would keep an eye on him, the death of his father and the stress of losing their settlement may have gotten to him.
Larry interrupted her thoughts with a pl
an. “I suggest we break up and make sure we get everyone we can to pledge their support again, before we hear these secrets. Phil, you take Betty. Beth, you take the Elliots, and I’ll talk to Mrs. Tremethick. I think her secret will be whatever link she had with your father, and I can help her. I’m also going to talk with Bill to see if we can get last night’s penalty reversed, we might be able to resolve this quickly and still keep the entire fortune. Any questions?”
Bethany raised her hand. “Larry, what if Camille is right and our secrets change the way people feel about their allegiance?”
“Look, we can’t know how it all will play out, but if we can get a declaration of support now, it might make it harder for people to change their minds later. It’s a long shot, but we have nothing to lose by trying, right?” MacLean was pleased to see the group nod in agreement. “Okay, go circulate and be charming. Let’s get what we need and we’ll meet back here before William calls us back into session.”
$
Larry left the family to talk to the lawyer. He saw Freddie and Caroline chatting together and smiled. It seemed he was correct about the group dividing along the same lines again. That was good news for the family.
William watched as his guests organized into groups and huddled in whispered discussions, each looking to find a way to screw the others out of a share. They all had to meet the new challenge and Bird suspected the old alliances would not survive the telling of the secrets. He felt a brush against his elbow and turned to see Larry MacLean. “Can we have a private word?” The lawyer nodded and led Larry to his office. The two men looked at each other across Bird’s desk.
“What can I do for you, Mr. MacLean?”
The Philanthropist's Danse Page 15