Dennis looked embarrassed but thanked Bird for his suggestion and left, tucking his envelope into his pocket. He’d look at it when he found a quiet place to himself. Janice stepped out of the bedroom as soon as she heard the outer door close. She had listened to everything the two men said.
She looked at the lawyer and held her hand out. “Give it to me, I want to see.” He handed her the envelope, and she immediately tore it open. The number was written on the front page, she saw it right away and she gasped. “That much! I had no idea.”
He turned to leave, but she stopped him with a light touch on his arm. “Wait. Wait just a minute. Please?” He looked at her with a curious expression and she hesitated. She had been about to tell him of Junior’s treatment of her, but changed her mind. She had no need to dwell on the past now she was rich. “I’d like you to have Dennis’ things moved out of my suite. I don’t want him coming back.”
William nodded and asked if there was anything else, but Janice said she wanted to be alone. With some relief, he granted her wish.
$
William used a house phone to call Jeremy and make arrangements for moving Dennis out of his wife’s suite and asked the major-domo to tell Dennis of the new arrangements if he saw him. Then he walked quickly to Betty Freah’s door and knocked lightly. Betty answered the door in a short robe, her hair wet and tied back. “I’m sorry, Bill, I took a shower, I must look a sight.”
The lawyer thought she looked pretty good. Her legs were shapely, and she looked fresh and natural without make-up. “I’ve got your settlement, Betty.” She took the envelope with a giggle and took a little jump in the air with excitement, a gesture he found utterly charming.
“Am I deliciously rich, Bill? Did we do well?” He shrugged and suggested she open the envelope to find out for herself. She looked at him and bit her lower lip nervously as she worked the seal open carefully with a fingernail.
Betty glanced up quickly before teasing out the papers inside. “Oh my God! Oh, Bill.” She threw her arms around the lawyer’s neck and hugged him tightly. “I can’t believe it, thank you, thank you, thank you.” She kissed him on the cheek before she released him. She trembled all over with excitement. She was flushed, and William thought he had never seen her look so attractive. He collected himself and told her how she could claim the money, but she wasn’t listening. Betty danced from one foot to the other and her eyes sparkled with joy.
“I still miss him you know. Johnston meant something to me, but this sure makes grieving easier. Is that wrong?”
He smiled. “Not at all Betty. I think he’d be happy that you’re happy. Don’t forget we have the dinner later, okay?” She agreed, and when he left her she was dancing in a circle and singing happily.
$
Ron Freeman was half asleep on his couch when he heard a knock on his door and William Bird’s voice. He wondered what the lawyer wanted as he opened the door and invited him in. “Bird, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been thinking about Philip Thurwell and—”
He stopped when he was handed an envelope. Freeman listened to Bird explain what it contained. “I see. So this is what we’ve been fighting over. Well, let’s find out what we’ve won at the cost of so much heartache.” He tore open the envelope and looked at the number on the front page. He sat down heavily and rubbed a large hand over his head. It was a larger number than he had expected. He had been convinced the penalties had cost them dearly and had even wondered if he would have to continue to practice law. Now he saw that if he never raised a gavel again he would be just fine. Perhaps a political career might even be back on, if he could solve another problem.
William saw the man needed time to think. “I’ll go. We can talk about Philip later. I have more of these to deliver.” The Judge nodded but did not move from the couch. The letter slipped from his fingers and laid on the floor as he tried to comprehend the enormity of the change in his life.
Chapter Thirty-Six
William headed directly to Freddie Hagood’s suite. The magnate, still dressed immaculately in a dark suit and tie, answered the door quickly. “Come in, Bill. What can I do for you?” William pulled out the envelope and handed it to Hagood. “Ah, so we come to the moment of truth. You work fast, Bill, thank you.”
Freddie opened the envelope and looked at the number before folding the paper and placing it in his breast pocket. “Fair enough, I suppose. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the others had agreed to agree sooner, but with Johnston’s idiot sons, it was always going to be difficult. You’ve impressed me this week, William. If you want a job, call me.”
Bird thanked Freddie for his consideration but knew he’d never work for anyone else again. Once he had collected his fee he and his wife would leave the city and retire to a small town not far from the mansion. He would be more than comfortable through a long retirement. The men shook hands, and the lawyer excused himself to visit the next beneficiary, Camille Jolivet.
$
Bethany opened the door to greet William and surprised him. He had been convinced the sisters had fallen out over her vote to keep Junior’s inheritance. He realized he was dead wrong when he entered the room. Bethany took a seat next to Camille and they held hands, looking at him with trepidation. “Please, ladies, relax. I have your settlements.”
He pulled out two envelopes, there was no point in making Bethany wait since she was already here. The sisters exchanged a look as he handed each of them their fortune. Bethany paused and looked at it. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized this would be the last thing she would ever receive from her father. Camille opened hers and looked quickly at the page, then at Bethany. “Mon Dieu. So much money, I had no idea.”
Bethany smiled at her sister’s quiet amazement and opened her own envelope. She looked at the number for a long time before looking up. “We wasted so much. Is this all that was left, Bill?”
The lawyer understood. She would have had a better idea than most of her father’s material wealth. “There was only sixty per cent left, Beth. I’m sorry, but the penalties cost you.”
She shook her head sadly as Camille looked at them in confusion. “How can you not be happy, sister? You’re trés riches, we are both rich.” Bethany smiled, and Bird saw genuine warmth between them. He was pleased to have been wrong in his prediction of their future.
Bethany’s voice caught in her throat. “Yes. Yes, we are wealthy. But my father had so much more, and we lost it because we couldn’t stop fighting. I feel ashamed.”
She looked at William with a face full of worry. “Can we talk about the boys? What’s going to happen to Phil and Junior?”
William stalled. “I can’t talk about them right now. I have to deliver the settlements. I’ll speak to the Judge later. I think he has some idea what to do.”
She nodded. “Please, Bill. Let me speak for them when you see the Judge?”
He agreed. It was only fair for them to have an advocate present as their futures were decided. He noticed Camille dropped her eyes when Bethany raised the topic of her brothers and sensed there was still disagreement on that subject. He promised to call Bethany when he met the Judge and left them. Both were re-reading their letter, but with very different interpretations of what it meant.
$
Larry MacLean was shirtless when he opened the door. He had gone back to bed and looked like hell. He pulled on a plain white t-shirt and tried to smooth his tousled hair into some kind of respectable shape as William waited. He mumbled an explanation as he dressed. “I was trying to get some rest. I didn’t sleep much last night, too much going on in my head.”
William began to apologize, but MacLean dismissed it. “I said I was trying to sleep, I didn’t say I was sleeping. I’ll need to be out of this place before I can rest. This place is filled with Johnston, and my conscience is punishing me.”
William saw deep lines around MacLean’s eyes. Larry looked pale under his sailor’s tan, and William almost felt sorry for him. “I’ve got your
money, Larry and instructions how to claim it.”
He handed it to MacLean, who took it quickly and tore it open. “Oh God, is that all? I thought it might be bad, but not this bad. What a mess.” He slumped onto the nearest chair and shook his head. “I’ll have to support my entire goddamned family with this… It’ll be a big shock to them. They’ll need to make cuts.”
William was annoyed that MacLean had the nerve to complain about the money he was taking from the friend he betrayed. “It could have been a lot worse, Larry. Try to remember that.” His voice was sharper than he intended, and it made MacLean start. He looked up and Bird saw shame in his eyes, and the sting his words left. “Make sure you’re on time for dinner, I’ll see you then.”
William left the room before he said something else he might regret.
$
William closed MacLean’s door behind him and leaned against it to take some deep breaths. He had to remain calm. He still had two envelopes to deliver and neither would be easy. He practiced breathing with his eyes closed until he felt his irritation recede.
When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see Jeremy standing a few feet away, watching without appearing to watch. “Is everything alright, Mr. Bird? I’ve just moved Mr. Elliot’s effects to another room. He’s been informed of the change, and it seemed to suit him well enough. How about yourself sir? A cup of tea, perhaps?”
William shook his head. The major-domo amazed him with his tact. “Thank you, Jeremy, I’m fine. I have a couple more visits to make and then maybe I’ll take a cup of your strongest coffee. I don’t think tea would cut it for me right now.”
Jeremy smiled and promised the best cup of coffee in the State anytime he wanted it and then was gone. He disappeared down the hallway in quick strides. William watched him go and took another deep breath. It was time to visit Caroline Smith.
She answered the door with her hair down. Her usual business suit had been replaced with sweatshirt and jeans. She stood in the doorway, blocking the entrance with her arm as she demanded to know what William wanted. He explained the reason for his visit and watched greed creep across her face. She suddenly became friendly and ushered him into her room with a theatrical flourish. Her eyes flashed with excitement as he reached into his pocket and drew out her envelope.
She snatched it from his fingers and ripped it open. She scanned the page until she found the number. She sneered in triumph as she read the letter that made her rich and William felt a wave of revulsion at her naked greed. She had harmed Thurwell’s Foundation, his legacy, by accepting bribes. Yet now she was rewarded further. William wondered why the Old Man had included her in the group, she was unworthy.
She saw something in his eyes she didn’t like and cocked her head to one side. “What, you don’t approve? Well that’s too bad. You can go, leave me alone.” William suppressed anger at her imperious tone and left her. He shuddered at her ability to get under his skin.
$
William had one envelope left in his pocket and forced himself to walk to Junior’s door to deliver it. He nodded at the burly guard who anticipated William’s intent by rapping on the door for him. William could have wished for a moment to compose himself, but the door flew open, and he saw Junior. “What do you want, Bird? Are you checking I’m still here, that I haven’t slipped past your dog?”
William remained impassive. He could not let Junior get to him. “I need to speak with you, may I come in?”
Junior snorted. “I don’t see why you should be allowed in when I’m not allowed out. Why should I admit my jailer to my cell, are you going to search it for contraband?”
The lawyer pulled the final envelope from his pocket and showed it to Junior, who stopped talking. “Come in, then.”
William glanced at the guard, who rolled his eyes dramatically. William almost laughed but managed to keep a straight face, the moment helped relax him as he followed Junior into the room.
“So it’s done then? After all the fuss, those damned leeches get my father’s money, and I get the crumbs from the table. Give it to me.” William passed the envelope to Junior, who opened it and read the same number as the other nine people. “I knew it. This is a sick joke, Bird. This is a drop in the ocean. Those idiots stole my inheritance from me. If they had listened to reason, we’d all be richer, but look at this. I’m sure the whore and the help are thrilled to little bits, but you know this is a sick joke.”
He threw the papers to the floor and turned his back on William, who dared not breathe a word for fear of telling Junior what he thought of him. He waited and watched Junior’s back. Thurwell’s oldest son was rocking on his heels, a sure sign he was agitated. Eventually he turned and looked at William. “Can I challenge this? I’m sure a court would look favorably on the family’s claim that we have been robbed of what was rightfully ours.”
“You signed an agreement, Junior, before you arrived. You all did. You all agreed the results of the week would be binding. My instructions are clear. If anyone challenges the settlement, they are stripped of everything. What you have now is the most you can ever hope for. You may not like it, but that’s the reality. This week was your father’s plan, his final wishes.”
Junior glowered, but he knew the lawyer was right. He also knew if he challenged the settlement that news of his brutal assault on his sister would leak out. He was frustrated and angry. He hated to give up the fight almost as much as he hated to give up the last word on the matter. “So be it, then. A great fortune is wasted on leeches and sycophants. If that’s how my ignorant father wanted it, fine. But I don’t like it, Bird, not one bit. Now, when can I get out of here? I’m tired of this place.”
“Tomorrow morning you will all leave. I have cars coming to take you wherever you want to go. You must attend tonight’s dinner, but if you promise to behave, I’ll have your guard stand down during the meal.”
Junior nodded, something was on his mind, Bird knew, but what it was he could not tell. William picked up the papers from the floor, smoothed the creases from them and handed them once more to Junior, who took them and walked to the window. “Go, Bird. I’ll see you for dinner.”
William did not need to be asked twice, he left the room as fast as his dignity would permit. He nodded at the guard on his way out and went in search of Jeremy and the promised cup of coffee.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The mansion hummed with activity as its working occupants busied themselves with preparations for the formal dinner. It was to be a grand affair that had been planned down to the last menu item by the philanthropist himself. The guests remained in their suites for the most part, either celebrating their new wealth, or lamenting a lost fortune, depending on their point of view and relative wealth prior to the settlement.
Snow continued to fall, and the wind raised white flurries that beat upon the windows as the storm gave a last defiant blast, like a wounded animal striking at its tormentor. The forecast for the next day was for clear skies, ideal for getting everyone away from the mansion.
William sat behind his desk and looked in turn from the serious expression on Judge Freeman’s face to the worried look on Bethany Thurwell’s. They had gathered to determine Philip’s fate, and it was a personal matter for all three of them. The lawyer was thinking out loud. “I don’t know if I should press charges. It would raise too many difficult questions about this week that I will not be able to answer because of privilege. Philip, however, will not be under the same restriction and could cause great harm. He has nothing to lose.”
Freeman was more concerned that Philip would get away with another crime. He was determined to prevent that. “I understand what you say, William, but the fact is he tried to kill you. He has admitted to a prior murder. He cannot be allowed to get away with these crimes.”
Bethany spoke in her brother’s defense. “Judge, I understand you’re angry with Phil about Georgia, but Bill is fine. Thank God, nothing happened that can’t be forgiven. He was angry and lashed
out, but I know him. If he’s allowed to leave, the matter will be over. I promise. What he did in Georgia was also in the heat of the moment. He said so, didn’t he? It’s his temper. It’s not his nature.”
Freeman was unmoved. “Bethany, Philip is lucky to have a sister as loyal as you. The fact is he killed once, and he tried again.” The Judge shook his head and looked at the lawyer. “William, there is no guarantee he will not break the secrecy of this meeting when we separate. He may feel aggrieved enough to go to the press, or start rumors. He is a very angry young man and will not give us a moment’s peace. He must be charged. He must face his day in court and be held accountable.”
Bethany had an idea. “What if you didn’t charge him if he promised to stay quiet? I’m sure he’d agree to that, Bill.”
William shook his head. “No Beth. If we did that, it gives him power. He’d know we need him to be quiet and that we want to avoid charges. I think he’d agree but would soon seek ways to profit from his power and reverse his disinheritance. No, that won’t work.”
She saw he was right. She could see how Philip would interpret her offer as a weakness to be exploited. Freeman spoke again. “William, you said you had instructions from the deceased Mr. Thurwell about many different circumstances. Was a physical attack not among them?”
William gave Freeman a rueful smile. “Unfortunately not. He left one marked In Case of Murder, but I think it was more gallows humor than anything serious. He spent so many hours putting the Danse together that sometimes he felt the need for some light relief. I’m sure it was no more than that.”
The Judge shrugged. “I see, but why not open it and find out what he wanted you to do about a murder? Perhaps there will be enough to guide us through the current impasse.”
The Philanthropist's Danse Page 34