The Enigmatic Mr. Dawsley

by Michael Bergquist

  “Sure.”

  “Great! Same place?”

  “That works for me.”

  “Excellent! See you later.”

  “Goodbye.”

  That night, we met in the bar from the previous night. Kate was earlier than I once more and had ordered drinks for us. Tonight, I would not consume any alcohol.

  “Hi!” she exclaimed. “I went ahead and ordered us drinks.”

  “None for me, thanks.” I replied. She frowned.

  “Not even one?”

  “Not tonight.”

  I ordered a club soda and the bartender poured it for me quickly.

  “Is everything okay?” she asked.

  “Just fine.” I responded, smiling.

  “Okay, good.”

  “How was work?”

  “Taxing. How was your day? Did you patch things up with Mr. Dawsley?”

  “I did actually.”

  “Oh, good! How is he?”

  “Quite well.”

  “That’s great to hear. What has he been up to?”

  “He actually just bought a controlling share of the mining industry in Atlantia.”

  The news caught her off-guard and she choked while drinking.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Wrong pipe.” she replied, regaining her composure.

  “As I was saying, he now controls the mining in Atlantia.”

  “That’s wonderful. And you’re absolutely sure of this?”

  “Indeed. I was there when he received the news that he is now in charge.”

  “You know, I think I ate some bad fish at lunch. I should probably go.”

  She left in a hurry and I had a feeling it would be the last time I saw the lovely Kate Maloney. I went back to my apartment, feeling betrayed and foolish. I had developed such intense feelings for her and she had been using me all along. I sat up in bed quickly and rushed out the door, still in my pajamas.

  Chapter 26

  A cab deposited me at the gate of the Dawsley estate a little after midnight. I scaled the stone wall that held the gate, as it was closed and I needed to speak with Mr. Dawsley immediately. I landed hard on the ground and got up as fast as I could. I ran up to the door and began pounding on it. Sandra answered the door with a broom in her hand, ready to attack.

  “Sandra! It’s me! I need to speak with Mr. Dawsley!” I yelled to her.

  “Go! Go from here and leave Mr. Dawsley alone!” she replied.

  “What the devil is going on?” asked Mr. Dawsley from behind Sandra. “Truman?”

  “Mr. Dawsley, I must speak with you!”

  “Then come in.”

  I entered the mansion and found Mr. Dawsley smiling.

  “Mr. Dawsley, I am so very sorry for what I’ve done.” I said apologetically.

  “Truman, after consideration I came to realize that you acted out of the best interest of the both of us. Even if your methods were devious. I forgive you and would like it very much if you moved back in and resumed working for me.”

  “Of course! Thank you, sir!”

  “Do not call me sir, Truman.”

  “I’m sorry, I had forgotten.”

  “You seem worked up over something. Come into the piano room and speak with me.”

  We entered the room and sat in front of the fireplace. Dawsley turned it on with the remote and looked at me curiously.

  “What is the matter, dear Truman?” he asked.

  “I think Finlow is plotting against you.” I replied.

  “How do you mean?”

  “Kate Maloney. She is working for him, I am sure of it. Him or Bell, I do not know which.”

  “I had anticipated this eventually, but not in such a way.”

  “You had?”

  “Indeed. The night you left the mansion, I acted foolishly and out of spite. I sent a letter to Ellie. She responded the following day and we decided to meet. This afternoon we had lunch in secret. It was delightful and I dare say she is beginning to fall for me. Finlow is not good enough for her and she is starting to understand it.”

  “What happens now?”

  “Now I wait for her to come to me with chaos at her heels.”

  “They have found out?”

  “I do believe they have. I was to receive a letter from her this evening. No letter came for me. I suspect we have been found out and that plotting has begun.”

  “What will they do?”

  “That is unclear at the moment. I have hired men to watch the property, but they will be replaced in the morning. They are clearly not efficient if a man such as you could so easily make it to my door in the middle of the night. No offense of course, Truman.”

  “I understand.”

  “Splendid. How did you discover Kate was involved, by the way?”

  “I told her you gained control of the mining industry in Atlantia.”

  Dawsley roared with laughter.

  “And let me guess, she ran away?” he said.

  “She did.”

  “I am terribly sorry to hear it, Truman. You seemed nice together.”

  “I will heal in time.”

  “That’s the spirit! Speaking of spirits, shall we have a drink?”

  “That would be fine by me.”

  We poured bourbon into glasses and toasted to my return. As we drank and caught up on the mundane aspects of our time apart, another knock came at the door. Sandra opened it once more, broom in hand. Ellie slipped past her and ran into the room. Dawsley stood up and she threw herself against him.

  “They have found your letters!” she cried. “They know what we have done!”

  “Be calm.” replied Dawsley.

  “How can I be calm? They will come for me!”

  “They will come for me as well.”

  “Samuel has always been looking to strike you, that is nothing new.”

  “Are you and he finished?”

  “I certainly am! I have heard from a reputable source that he has lost control of the mining industry. We will be poor!”

  “Ah.”

  “Oh, this is such a dreadful situation!”

  “You must stay here with me, Ellie.”

  “Are you able to accommodate me?”

  “Of course, my sweet.”

  “Then I shall stay. Goodnight, you two.”

  She left the room and ascended the stairs.

  “She will have your old room, Truman. I apologize, but would you mind sleeping in a different guest room? It will be less extravagant, but it will have to do.”

  “I do not mind at all. I am concerned about your relationship, however.”

  “How so?”

  “Is she not drawn to your money?”

  “Truman, you and I have just repaired our friendship. Let us not undo that process.”

  Dawsley left the room and went up the stairs to his own. I continued to sit in front of the fire. The devastation was coming, and it was coming soon. I thought about Kate and it made me miserable. I decided to go to bed and free myself from all thoughts of her and what she had done to me.

  Chapter 27

  The next morning, Dawsley, Ellie, and I had breakfast together. It was much nicer than eating alone in my apartment and I made a promise to myself to try not to cross any more lines with Mr. Dawsley.

  Ellie ate sparingly, playing with her food more than eating it. Dawsley smiled at her and she returned it. I could sense the forced nature of her smile and felt bad for Mr. Dawsley, who remained in complete and utter denial over her true personality.

  After breakfast, Dawsley made calls to several unknown people and after hanging up explained that they were for extra security. Ellie continued to look nervous, but I had the sneaking suspicion that she was more worried about the financial impact this unfolding situation would have on her lifestyle than the actual dangers that were imminent.

  Mr. Dawsley played a few songs on the piano which Ellie listened to while smiling. I could see how most men would fall in love with this w
oman, the way she carried herself in such a forbidden and enchanting way. Mr. Dawsley would have played that piano for her for the rest of his life without stopping if only to keep that smile on her face.

  I came from a less privileged lifestyle and so knew not to take the words and actions of others at face value. I had gotten to know and trust Mr. Dawsley, but Ellie was still a stranger to me. I, however, had very little interest in getting to know her any more. She had come from the enemy of my friend after practically being engaged to him. She went from where she felt she would become poor to where she felt she would remain rich, or so it seemed to me as I have been stating.

  After awhile of listening to Mr. Dawsley play, Ellie grew bored and began examining her nails which were appropriately painted with a gold polish. Dawsley finished his song and went to join her on the couch she was sitting on. They exchanged smiles and he took her hand in his.

  “My dear, you seem restless.” he said.

  “I am just exhausted from being so nervous.” she replied.

  “You must allow yourself to relax, you are safe here.”

  “Perhaps dinner at the Atlantis this evening would calm my nerves.”

  Dawsley flashed a nervous smile.

  “It is dangerous for us to go out of the mansion, sweet Ellie. We have many enemies in Atlantia who wish us nothing but harm.”

  “You mean they wish you nothing but harm.”

  “And if you are with me, then you will be in harm’s way.”

  “Then do not bother to come along. I will dine there tonight myself.”

  “Please, Ellie, do be rational.”

  “Rational?! I am a prisoner in this house! I will be leaving this evening, just you watch.”

  “I am telling you it is not safe.”

  “You are a foolish, coward of a man.”

  “You are anxious. You do not mean your words.”

  “I do! I believe I shall leave now in fact! Good day!”

  Ellie stood up and marched out of the room. We heard the front door slam behind her and sat in silence. Mr. Dawsley looked both shocked and sad.

  “Are you okay?” I asked him.

  “I am fine, Truman.” he lied.

  “She is not good enough for you.”

  “Let us not speak on the matter at present. She will return when she realizes her foolishness.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Because you are right, Truman. She follows the scent of money.”

  Chapter 28

  He poured himself a drink and downed it before pouring another. He began to look old again, changing before my very eyes. I wished that I could console him in some way, but he was heartbroken and the only cure, as far as I had been told, was time. He walked over to me with two glasses and handed me one. We sat and drank for quite some time. At one point, Dawsley summoned Sandra to the room and asked her to play a certain song. I did not know it by name, but when she began to play I recognized it from back when Dawsley had left the room upon hearing it. It was odd that he would request to hear it specifically when he knew how it affected him.

  Sandra played it beautifully and with great emotion. Mr. Dawsley sipped his drink, his appearance becoming more and more aged-looking as the time passed on. It was a very long piece of music and when it was finished Dawsley looked at Sandra and said, “Again.”

  She played the piece once more, the quality not decreasing from the previous performance. While she played I turned to Mr. Dawsley who was sitting quietly with a miserable look on his face.

  “Mr. Dawsley,” I began, “what is this song?”

  “Do you enjoy it, Truman?” he asked.

  “It is quite beautiful.”

  “It is.”

  “If you do not mind my asking, what is the significance of the piece?”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I can tell it draws great emotion from you.”

  Dawsley took a swig of his drink and sat silent for a few moments.

  “My father wrote it.” he said finally.

  “He is talented.” I replied, not knowing what else to say.

  “He was. I do not know if he still is.”

  “You do not speak?” I asked. I knew I was treading on rocky ground and attempted to be as careful as possible, so as not to induce yet another ejection from the house.

  “We do not.” he replied. “He has no place in his life for disappointing sons.”

  “I am sorry.”

  “For what? You have done nothing.”

  “I am sorry to hear about your relationship with your father.”

  “I have made what peace I can with it.”

  “I am glad to hear that.”

  “Would you like to hear a story, Truman?”

  I nodded my head slowly and cautiously. Mr. Dawsley was slightly drunk and not in a good place emotionally. He finished his drink and turned to me.

  “You remember Mr. Finlow of course.”

  I nodded again.

  “When he and I were boys, we were sent to a prestigious boarding school for wealthy young men. We had both entered, aware of the rivalry between our fathers from their own boyhood years. This created an automatic distrust and dislike of each other before we had even exchanged words.”

  He got up and poured himself another drink before sitting down and continuing.

  “Samuel Finlow turned out to be quite unpopular with the other boys. He so desperately wanted their attention and praises, but the more he tried to attain them, the further away he drove them. I, unlike Samuel, was quite popular. This irritated him to no end and he began to come to school with welts on his arms and face. He would not tell anyone what had happened, but we were familiar with his father’s temper, as well as his father’s impossibly high expectations for his son.

  “Samuel had had enough one day and decided that it was time he take what he thought was rightfully his. He had stolen copies of a test that was to be given and decided that distributing them would bring about the respect of the others, elevating him to the status that his father demanded of him. He managed to steal the tests, and I, foolishly and at the command of my own father, told the teachers what Samuel had done. He was ejected from the school, but not before he brought me down with him.”

  Dawsley drank quietly for a few minutes, the memories he was reliving taking their toll on him. He cleared his throat and began again.

  “Finlow managed to sneak copies of the test into my possession without my knowledge. He told the teachers that I had aided him in stealing the tests and they searched my things, finding the copies. I was ejected along with Samuel and we were sent to our respective homes in shame. My father was beside himself with his shame. He could not bare to look at me. I was the first Dawsley in a century to not graduate from that particular school. I had tainted our family’s name, or at least that is what my father thought. He refused to dine with or speak with me. He hired Sandra and others to take care of and educate me. Then he moved to Europe, leaving me here alone.”

  “That is the worst thing I have ever heard!” I exclaimed.

  “You understand now why Finlow and I hate each other so?”

  “He destroyed your family.”

  “And I destroyed his. We were pawns of our fathers’ game against each other. In the end, we both lost. His father beat him black and blue before disowning him. It was a shame, but I have no pity for the man.”

  I did not know what to say, so I drank instead. Mr. Dawsley did not seem like he was expecting a response anyhow. He was lost in thought and memory, sipping his drink every now and then. The silence was broken by the sound of Sandra missing a note of the song accidentally.

  “That will do for tonight, Sandra, thank you.” said Dawsley.

  “Okay.” she said as she got up and shuffled out of the room to prepare dinner.

  Mr. Dawsley rose up as well and left the room, though he headed up to his bedroom. That night I dined alone in the mansion. Mr. Dawsley had been in his room for a couple of hours an
d I was worried about him. Ellie had yet to return as Dawsley had predicted she would. I felt slight tinges of worry about the fate of Ellie. She had turned her back on whoever seemed to have lost their wealth or luxuries, and seeing as everyone had fluctuated between fortune and misfortune, she was more than likely friendless in Atlantia. I had decided, for Mr. Dawsley’s sake, to go looking for her after dinner.

  Chapter 29

  The driver was napping in the shed of keys and I woke him, informing him of the situation. He nodded sleepily and pulled the car out for me. I got in and told him to bring me to the Atlantis. The car left the mansion quickly and we made it to the restaurant rather quickly. I exited the car and entered the restaurant.

  The place was packed with the rich and fortunate of society. I spotted the congressman at a table with several other men in suits, all smoking cigars. I hid my face with my hand and continued searching for Ellie. I asked the hostess if she had dined there and she told me she had, but had left with some man. I asked if the man wore a monocle and she nodded.

  I ran back out to the street, but the driver was gone. I looked around in a state of worry and found myself being grabbed by two large men. A limousine pulled up and they forced me inside. I found myself face to face with Finlow once again.

  “Why must you be such a perpetual thorn in my side?” he asked me.

  “Where is Ellie?” I replied.

  “She is none of your concern, you lowly dog.”

  “If you hurt her --”

  “You’ll do what exactly? You don’t care about her, it’s Dawsley that does. Let him fight his own battles, won’t you?”

  “You are correct, I don’t care about her. I care about Mr. Dawsley and he wants her to be safe.”

  “Bully for him.”

  “Why won’t you leave him alone? Let him be! The past is the past, is it not?”

  “What would you know about the past?”

  “More than you think.”

  “Then you would be wise to keep it to yourself.”

  I stared at him angrily and he stared back, calm. The car pulled up to a building I had never seen before and the door opened from the outside.

  “Get out.” said Finlow.

  “Where are we?”

  He signaled to his men and they pulled me out of the car and gave me a shove to the ground.

  “Gentlemen, this our guest. Pick him back up and do not push him again unless I tell you to.” he said.

  They lifted me off the ground by my arms and dusted me off. Finlow smiled at me.