by Neil Crenner
wrote it?" Reason asked surprised.
"Well it seems to have come from a Mrs. Stacy Dauphine and dated May 24th, 1955. There seems to be no record of another Will after this."
"No Will from her husband? Why wouldn't he have had a Will?"
"Well if he did have a Will then it was not recorded. I really don't know the history of this place. I can tell you that Mrs. Stacy Dauphine had left in 1954 and moved to Paris, France leaving her husband, but never divorcing him."
"That means if she died last then she would have left the property to any living relative, but she died first, I believe."
"Then Mr. Dauphine, excuse me, I mean Mr. Gauthier-Straussburg would have had a Will as well, but it is nowhere to be found, at least not in public records."
"So when did the period end?"
"According to the Will, it is not exact. It states a period of two generations. More than likely it meant about 40 years. This is usually a generation 20 years."
"She died in 1959, so 40 years from then is this year. Her death occurred in January of that year and the Will states from the day of her death 2 generations. Today is February 10. The period has ended. The auction is scheduled to take place 30 days from the last day of the month she died, so March 3. You have until then to come up with another Will."
"So we have 23 days. Can we go to the property and look around?"
"Well it is under the care of the state. I would have to put in a petition to allow you access to the property. That could take as long as ten days."
"Wow so then we only have 13 days to find the Will. It's getting down to the wire."
"Shall I put the petition in for you?" Greg asked calmly without showing any emotion in his voice.
"Yes please do."
"I'll get right on that Mr. Simon. I'll call you back with the details when I obtain them. Do you have any other questions?"
"So how much will they start the bidding at for the auction?"
"They will do a survey of the property and start it out about 15% to 20% below market value. This is just for the land. They don't usually add value to the buildings on the property that is this old."
"Well thanks for the info. I'll be hearing from you soon. Goodbye." Reason waited to hear the goodbye with the receiver away from his ear, almost sitting on the cradle. He picked it back up and called Catherine. He spent the next fifteen minutes explaining everything to her and then he wanted to call Didier.
Catherine was sorry that she had waited so long to tell Didier about his relatives and the trip she made to California when she was a little girl. Reason listened to her and tried to sound positive, but realized he could not cheer her up. He felt anxious and just wanted to talk to Didier.
When he got off the phone with Catherine, he was thirsty. He went to the refrigerator and got out the half gallon glass bottle of water. He drank it down completely without stopping. He filled it back up with tap water from the sink and placed it back in the frig, way in the back. He needed to talk to Didier right now and tell him what he had learned.
He dialed Didier's work number.
"May I speak with Didier?"
"Didier has left for a meeting downtown, may I take a message?"
"Umm, no thanks, I'll call back." Reason hung up the phone and called Catherine again. "Didier is out at a jobsite, so I have to wait tell he returns to tell him."
"Do you think he'll have the same attitude after he hears we only have 23 days to prove that I am the heir. I mean I was the heir for 40 years, but I never claimed it over his Aunt Lisabelle's stubbornness. Here we could have moved here 30 years ago and I could have been a native Californian by now. Catherine remarked with a bit of anger.
"Yes, but I may never have met Didier then."
"Oh I am sure you would have when you went up to see the lighthouse three years ago."
"Do you really think so?"
"Sure you would have met him on the beach. He would be taking the afternoon off from running the winery and you would have got him on camera."
"You tell such romantic tells Catherine." Reason laughed.
"Yes I believe that you were meant to have met and now you have."
"I am very happy too. Well when I talk to him I will call you. I want to plan a trip this weekend even if we don't have a right to be on the property yet."
"I'll be here," Catherine said.
"How's Colbert? I miss her."
"She's fine, just came in from the back yard. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Which reminds me, do you think you could go to my house and water the plants?"
"Sure I can do that. I'll take the Fiat and drive over there. Where is your key? Didier has an extra key in the pantry on the hook just inside the door."
"If I can't find it I will call you back.
"Thanks again."
"Shall I take Colbert with me?"
"Oh yes, she'll be happy to ride with you.
"She's good in the car and I will drive perfectly safe."
"Talk to you later." Reason hung up. He was tired of being on the phone and wanted to relax. He had some orders to take care of. Trevor had watched the gallery the last time and had brought in a few of his pieces and sold them. Reason on the other hand had not put up any new art since winter started. He had some beautiful pictures he needed to blow up and create some new pieces.
He would work on that today. It would keep his mind busy. Later he would plan the trip when he got back to Didier's. He went to the dark room to develop the film. He wanted these to be very large photographs to frame and sell for the coming month. He needed to develop them into 8 x 10's to examine them for clarity to make them into large prints. This would take a couple of hours of his time today.
Chapitre 42
2 hours later.
The bell rang and he knew a customer had come into the shop. He had left a printed note on the desk indicating he was in the back and would return in a few minutes. When he went out to see who it was, an elderly lady was with a young man and they were looking around.
"If you have any questions, just ask," Reason said as he went over to the light table to lay out the photos he had just finished developing. He had 12 of them. He could really look at the detail on this table. When he blew them up the flaws would be more evident. He looked at all of them thru the magnifying glass that was attached to the side of the table with a large scissor arm that extended all around the table. He studied them. He glanced up a few times to see how the customers were doing.
"Excuse me, do you have any beach photographs?" The man asked from across the gallery. Reason looked up.
"My mother used to live on Cape Cod and has recently moved here. She wanted to have a beach photo to remind her of home."
"As a matter of fact I have some here. Would you like to take a look at them?"
They came over and started looking at the photos that Reason had taken when he and Didier drove up to see the lighthouse.
"I love this one right here with the lighthouse and the water. The sky is so blue and the water shimmers."
"Well I can blow it up and have it ready for you next week."
"Oh that sounds lovely."
"How much will it be?"
"Well since it's for you, I will give you a wonderful price. How about 500?"
"Sold," The elderly said.
"Is that the best you can offer?"
"Yes it is. I normally ask 1200 for a shot like this."
"Well that is over half off dear," The lady said to the man.
"Yes it is and if it makes you happy mother, then that's fine with me."
"When will it be ready. I will have it by next Monday if that's fine with you?"
"Do we need to leave a deposit or pay for it now?"
"No, that's not necessary. If you don't return, then I'll ask 1200 for it." Reason smiled.
"I can't wait to see it big. What size will it be?"
"I usually blow these up to about 36" wide by 24" height. How does that sound?"
"Then come back on Monday and it shall be ready. What is your name?"
"Marie-Élise Granville."
"Oh what a lovely French name."
"Merci beacoup, monsieur." She spoke beautifully.
"Tres bon, tres bon," Reason replied.
The lady raised her eyebrow and gave a wink, then sauntered off leaving her son to follow. "Bonjour," she said as she left the gallery, her son in tow.
Now he had to blow this one up first, he grabbed it and took it to the back. He would do it tomorrow. Now he would try calling Didier again. He went to the desk and sat down. He dialed the number and he heard it ringing. "Didier Gautier," the voice says.
"Didier, its Reason. Are you busy?"
"I just returned from a job site and I am bushed. I have all these problems to deal with. What's up?''
"I spoke with the lawyer's assistant and he gave me all the details about the property. Unfortunately we don't have much time. I am not really sure what will happen."
"Well with all these problems I will not be able to go with you this weekend. I need to work overtime. Can you catch me up later tonight? I will be working late every night this week and maybe even the weekend."
"What kind of problems are they? They had to raise the foundation 3 feet on one side of the building and I have to redo all this work."
"I see well I will take Catherine with me then because I do want to go up to the lighthouse and look around. I have some information I want to look at as soon as possible."
"That's fine with me. I'll talk to you tonight when I get home."
"Don't work too hard."
"Yeah I'll try not to. If I can I will try to be home by nine."
"That's so late. Call me later."
"I will. Bye." Reason heard a click. He didn't even say goodbye himself. He looked at the clock on the desk and it was almost four. Today will be an early one. He went and locked the front door and turned the sign. He was tired from all the talking and processing. He needed to rest.
He drove to his house without thinking about doing it. His mind was on the day and he didn't pay much attention. When he drove up to the garage he wondered how he even made it there. He decided to go inside and relax.
The plants were watered and the place seemed a little bit tidier. He looked around. Catherine must have cleaned up. He called Catherine and told her he had stopped in at his house and was planning to take a nap and that Didier was working late.
"Thank you for watering the plants. Did you clean up too?"
"Oh yes I sweep the floor and mopped it. It needed it after the rain. I dusted too. I hope you don't mind."
"Oh not at all, I'm just glad it was your idea and not mine."
"I enjoyed it very much. I hope I can be of help some more in the future."
"That is so thoughtful Catherine. What I was thinking was that maybe you can find out who the butler was who worked for your grandfather. Maybe his family might be able to help us out."
"I don't know where to start. I was thinking about that all day and I have no info about them."
"When we go up there we will have to search the local library for old newspapers. Didier said he couldn't go with me because he has to revise these plans for this building and he'll be working late every night."
"Well why don't we go up there as soon as possible then. Why wait for the weekend?"
"I see your point. If I could get Trevor to watch the gallery, then yes let's go up tomorrow afternoon."
"How exciting. I love that house and want to be in it. Just knowing it was my grandparent's house makes me have a sentimental value to it."
"It's funny but I feel attached to the house as well. Ever since I saw it the first time. It made me feel at home. I am going to take a nap, I am bushed. I'll call you later."
"Sure, that's fine. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
"Bye." Reason hung up the phone and went to his room. He had not been home for a week and it felt so quiet, so sleepy. Almost like a tomb. He laid down on the bed and fell asleep.
One hour later.
He was staring out towards the hill, he knew he had to see it one more time. He made his way to the top of the hill and then the brick wall, he climbed over the wall and just down to the other side. He was in a field of tumble weeds. He ran towards the mountain and when he came to a deep gully he jumped and was flying in the air.
The wind picked him up and lifted him high above the mountain, he flew towards this great lake and soon was over it, this blue lake high in the mountain. On the sides of the mountain were people living. They were so far away he couldn't make them out. He flew all the way across the lake and then he was in the clouds past the lake.
The phone was ringing and Reason awoke startled. He couldn't remember where he was for a few seconds. The room was dark. He reached to pick up the phone and said hello.
"Hello sleepy head. How was your nap?"
"How did you know I was napping?"
"Catherine told me when I called my house to talk to you."
"Yeah, I drove here after work and then I didn't even remember driving here. I was thinking about the day and then this elderly lady came in looking for a beach photograph. I showed her some that I had just developed. She bought one. And she was French too."
"The French they love you Reason," Didier said jokingly. I am still at work but will be finished around 8:30; shall I come to your house?"
"Sure that's fine. Did you have dinner?"
"Yes, we had Thai takeout. Bobby went and picked it up for us."
"How many of you are working late?"
"Just Mark and I. Bobby left right after bringing it to us."
"Okay well I am going to heat up some soup and make a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner."
"Sounds delicious and it will warm you up. I believe it's going to be cold tonight."
"I'll make a fire then. I am cold now. I didn't turn the heat on when I came home."
"See you soon." He hung up. Reason wondered how he never said goodbye. He lay in bed and felt cozy. He thought about the feeling he had after waking up. How do you forget where you are just by going to sleep? He got out of bed and headed for the kitchen, time for some dinner. He missed Colbert.
He went to the living room and put some wood in the fireplace and turned on the gas to catch the logs on fire. He then went to the kitchen to open up some canned soup and make the grilled cheese sandwich.
He had forgotten to ask Didier if he told Catherine he was coming over there tonight, but he figured he had and went on cooking. He would call her later. The soup smelt delicious even though it was from a can.
He sat down at the dining room table and ate the soup and sandwich. The fire in the living room was crackling a bit. Then he heard the rain start. He forgot that it was going to rain. He wondered what they should rent to drive up to the lighthouse tomorrow. He thought a minivan again would be nice to drive. The convertible was no fun if it was raining.
He finished up the meal and cleaned the kitchen. He thought he would find a book and read for awhile in front of the fire. A classic, Joseph Conrad's The Secret Sharer. He had bought it months ago in the Everyman's Library edition and had it sitting on the mantle. Tonight would be a good one to read about a captain's desires.
He sat in his large leather chair that was in front of the fireplace and brought in the hot tea he had made and settled in for a good half hour read. Didier would be home by then and they could talk about the day. He began to read.
One half hour later.
Reason heard a car pull into the driveway. Didier must be home. He got up and sat the book back on the mantle. The tea was finished and he picked up the cup and saucer. He went to the kitchen and placed it in the dishwasher, just then Didier came in from the garage. He had pulled into the open garage that Reason had left for him since
it was raining. "Thanks for opening up the garage. How did you know I was here?"
"I merely left it open so when you pulled up you could drive straight in. I heard the rain and started a fire. Care to sit for a few minutes?"
"Sure let me get these shoes off and I'll be there in a minute." Reason went back to the parlor and pulled the other chair from the side of the fireplace facing in. He rarely used them unless he was reading in front of the fire. Didier came in and flopped down slightly. "Ah, I am bushed. That was a grueling day. How about yours?"
"Well I found out some info about the property and Catherine and I have decided to drive up there tomorrow since you will be working late every night on this project."
"So what's your plan exactly? Where's my kiss?"
"Right here," Reason leaned over and kiss Didier on the lips and then leaned back in his chair.
"The fire's nice. It's a bit cold in here." Didier remarked as he leaned towards the fire and rubbed his hands together.
"I didn't turn the furnace on yet since I had the fire going. I was reading this past half hour. I can turn it up if you're cold?"
"I am fine here in front of the fire, but later when we go to bed maybe?"
"Don't worry, you have me to keep you warm."
"Yes I do," Didier smiled.
"Are you thirsty? Any hot tea?"
"Yes. Later, I am keeping you from telling your plans."
"Oh, I was going to say that when we arrive we need to go up to the property along the coast and find the tunnel and make our way to the coordinates. How we'll do that I am not sure. We'll be underground. Then when we reach the spot start to look around to see if something is buried there."
"Do you remember any place in the tunnel that looked like it might have something buried there?"
"I think it's the area where there is a seat and the fountain is up above and there are some grates that let air in."
"Do you really think it's that spot?"
"I do. I do. Then once we find out what is hidden there maybe it will help us with the next coordinates."
"What if you don't find anything?"
"I guess all is lost then. And we return home."
"You wouldn't try to go to the second coordinates then?"
"We could try, but it won't help much I believe. The first spot is the most important I believe."
"Have you discussed this with Catherine?"
"Nope, not yet, but tomorrow on the way up we can talk about it. I am not going to get up early. I want to take my time, a nice leisurely drive."
"Keep the anxiety down that way, or make it worse."
"I think we can keep it down. I enjoy your mother's company very much."
"So how about that tea?" Didier quickly changed the subject.
"Sure I'll have another as well. It will only take a few minutes, the water is still hot from earlier," Didier got up and went to the kitchen. Didier had slumped back in the leather chair and closed his eyes. Reason knew he was tired and didn't want to talk anymore. He made the tea and took one cup to Didier who gladly accepted it. He sat down in the leather chair to drink his and watch the fire. "I do hope you find something in the tunnel. I am just not sure why great-grandfather didn't have a will. It is all baffling to me."
"Maybe he didn't have one because he thought your great-grandmother would destroy it."
"Well we don't know the circumstances behind what happened. We do know that she left and went to live in Paris."
"Why would she do that I wonder?"
"Reason, who do you think is the women in your photos?"
"I couldn't tell you. It could be your grandmother. I do believe she went down there."
"It was someone else who knew what had happened and was trying to get your attention."
"If only we had found out a month earlier Mom could have claimed the property and there would be no problems."
"Maybe it was meant to be this way?"
"I seriously doubt that. I think we just didn't see the clues."
"You don't think your mother thought she had inherited the estate do you?"
"Well why not?" She's a relative."
"Yes, but under the circumstances I don't think she thought that she would have inherited the estate. She would have been contacted many years ago."
"That is true."
"How many people leave their property to any relative that comes to claim it?"
"Not many to say the least. Maybe it was fate."
"So there's a reason we have met then?"
"I think we met because we were standing in the same bagel shop on the same morning.
"Yes, but what led us to go there the same day?"
"Fate I believe. I have been going there on and off now for two years. You just happen to be in the neighborhood. Eventually we would have run into each other, don't you think?"
"We don't live in a town where there are many gay outlets, it's a rare coincidence."
"The beach can be gay and that little coffee house down on Carol Street, have you been there?"
"Nope I haven't. When's the last time you were there?"
"Not too long before I met you, I went in there. I met some nice people hanging out. Why I haven't been back I don't know."
"That's because you met me, and now you're complete," Didier started laughing when he said this and Reason joined in with a chuckle too.
"That was brassy."
"Yes it was. You know I love you."
"Yes I do and you do fulfill me thus far."
Didier looked awe struck.
"You'll always love me, I know that. I just hope that we can 'live our lives completely,' as Neil would say."
"Hey we have to live each day. Don't worry about tomorrow or ten years from now. I am here with you right now and I love you and want to be with you," Didier said seriously. Didier looked serious as well and then broke into a smile.
Reason chuckled.
"How did we get on this subject?''
"It was all you; telling me that you complete me."
"Now I remember. Let's go to be, I am beat."
"I am too." They both got up and took their cups and saucers to the kitchen. Didier headed to the bathroom, while Reason piddled in the kitchen. He stopped in the hall to turn the furnace on and then went to the bedroom.
Didier was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. Reason thought he should put the fire out in the living room?' He has gone to bed before without extinguishing it. It's safe with the glass front closed he thought. He undressed and slipped on his Turkish robe and went to the bathroom. Didier was just finished and he needed to brush his teeth as well, "I'll be right there," as he passed him exiting. He took a few minutes to do this and then was in bed with Didier.
They embraced each other and kissed a good night kiss. "Go to sleep, you are too tired for anything," Reason said as he turned to spoon him.
"Yes in the morning I'll be rested." Five minutes later Didier was asleep and Reason laid there. His mind was racing a bit. He needed to sleep. He closed them one more time and played the game. The 'no thoughts' game with himself. Try not to have any thoughts and as soon as you had one you stopped it. He fell asleep.
Chapitre 43
The next morning.
Reason felt like he was flying high in the sky. He could see the storm clouds circling below. The wind picked up and he began moving towards the storm clouds. He felt frightened. He wanted to be on the ground. He let himself fall and he came crashing down to the grown with a thump. He stood up and he was in a field. The townsfolk were far from him. He began walking towards the storm and it began to rain. Reason woke up. He felt something warm next to him. Didier was still asleep and very warm.
How high had he turned up the furnace he wondered? He began to move and Didier's arm grabbed his. "Don't go yet."
"The furnace must be up to high."
"It was me. I woke up this morning and it was so cold. I turned it up a few notches."
"Oh. I thought I had d
one that last night. This room gets the warmest and I am beginning to sweat."
"Yes, I know. I am sweating too."
"It's like palm springs summer heat in here!" Reason declared laying there nude.
"I wanted it to get really hot in here and make love to you."
"Oh really, then I feel good. Kiss me." Reason pulled Didier's mouth to his.
One hour later.
"Turn the heat down first before you make some coffee," Reason said as he lay in bed panting, worn out from the love making and the heat. Outside it was chilly, probably in the high 30's and in his room it was roasting.
"It was up to 87. I turned it off and opened the garage door a bit. The coffee is brewing and I am going to shower." Reason didn't answer he just laid there with his eyes closed. He felt euphoric and didn't want to move. If he moved then it would go away. If he lay really still then he would continue to feel the euphoria. He fell back to sleep.
15 minutes later
"Hey sleepy head. I brought you some coffee," Didier said as he sat it on the night stand.
"I must have fallen back to sleep. I was having the strangest dream earlier."
"Why don't you get showered and dressed and we can go to that coffee shop you were talking about?"
"Really? I will be ready in ten minutes, let me just have a sip of this coffee," Reason reached for the coffee.
"I don't have to be early for work. Shoot, I worked thirteen hours yesterday."
"Shoot take the entire morning off," Reason interjected and sipping more coffee.
Didier sat on the bed next to him. "No, I can't do that, but they can't expect me to be in there before normal business hours after working so late last night and probably every night this week. It's not my mistake either."
"Yes, I know you told me. Okay let me get up and shower. Thanks for the coffee."
"You're welcome. Thanks for being a sport about the heat. Next time I'll warn you." Didier got up from the bed and went to the closet to get some clothes.
Reason headed to the bathroom for a quick wake-me-up shower. He didn't want to take too long and he needed to cool down. He felt hot. He propped open the small window next to the mirror a few inches to let the heat out. He turned on the water and made sure it was just barely warm. He got in and stood under it. It felt colder than it was. His hand knew how warm it was, but his body was hotter than his hand.
After a few minutes he cooled down and began to lather up his body first, then his hair. He turned the water off and reached for the towel, he knew that bathroom would still be warm and decided to dry off on the mat. Usually he dried off completely before he stepped out of the shower due to it feeling so cold.
He combed his hair, brushed his teeth and splashed cologne on his face. He went out to the bedroom and it was warmer in there. He grabbed some briefs from the top drawer. Went to the closet and grabbed some cords and a cotton shirt. He pulled his loafers out and slipped them on. All finished in ten minutes. He went to the kitchen to find Didier sitting at the table reading the newspaper.
"You are ready? Boy that was quick. I have never you seen you shower and dress so fast."
"I wanted us to have some time at the restaurant. Not just rush in and eat and leave."
"Yes you are leaving me today to go up there. I shall miss you. How long will you be gone?"
"I am not sure. We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully not more than 3 days."
Didier looked up from the newspaper, "Three days? I will be missing you a lot."
"You are sweet. Let's go get some grub." Didier grabbed his car keys. "We are taking separate cars aren't we?"
"Yes, I will follow you. I don't know where the place is."
"Bring the paper with you if you want."
"I won't have time to read it today."
"Read it tomorrow. Remember, you'll be without me."
"That's right. I will take it for later." They left thru the garage door and got into their cars. Didier backed up first and then Reason came out. Reason used the remote and closed the door. It was built into the jaguar. They were off.
The coffee café was on Carol Street a few blocks from the downtown. They drove up to it and Reason found a parking space at the end of the building in the back. Didier pulled up next to him. They got out and headed back around the front. "I would never have noticed this place before."
"It's a bit shabby but fun inside. You just wait and see." They walked around the place. There was an old wooden awning that covered the front of the building. Tables and chairs sat out under here. There we no patrons yet.
They went inside and it was a Hodge Podgy of records and paraphernalia from all the decades on the walls and ceiling. They went up to the counter and a lady came out. "Good morning boys. Are you eating with us this morning?"
"Yes we are, a table in the back please."
"Follow me," and the lady came out from behind the counter and escorted them to the rear of the dining area. "Is that a lady or a drag queen?" Didier whispered into Reason's ear.
"What do you think?" They walked past chairs of various shapes and sizes. The tables were all different as well. "Here you go boys. Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes two please, with cream." Reason piped up as they sat down.
"Coming right up." The