The Philanthropist's Danse (26 page)

D
inner was served at seven, but only Winnie Tremethick and the Thurwell sisters had chosen to eat in the dining room. The others ate in their rooms, if they could eat at all. Camille had suggested to Bethany they sit with the old woman when they saw her alone and her sister had reluctantly agreed.

Winnie had been surprised when they joined her. She had nothing to say to either girl, she thought of them both as heartless killers. She stared at them for a second and then picked up her plate and moved to another table, sitting with her back to them. The younger women had been too proud to leave the room, and now the three ate in awkward silence.

Camille stole a look at her watch. It was after seven-thirty, and there had been no word about William Bird’s condition. She was anxious. The likelihood of the group reaching a consensus before midnight lessened with each passing minute. She shook her head. Another twenty per cent of the fortune could be lost because Philip had lost his head. It was not enough he had disinherited himself, now he had messed it up for all of them.

Throughout the mansion, similar thoughts about Philip were common. Meals that would have elicited enthusiastic praise in any upscale restaurant tasted like ashes in the guest’s mouths. Those that waited in their suites cast hopeful glances at their telephones, and despairing ones at clocks, as precious minutes turned inexorably into lost hours.

$

William opened his eyes and blinked. He felt groggy and disoriented. His room was black except for faint flickers of orange from the fireplace in the other room. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he could see the drapes were open but that it was already dark outside. He had no idea how long he had slept, but he felt better. He checked his hands and was pleased to see they no longer shook.

He reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on. He immediately saw the metal box from the boathouse. The memory of Philip’s attack flooded back, and he slumped onto his pillow. Bird shuddered and felt cold fingers of fear tickle his spine. He closed his eyes and counted down from ten, slowly, until the icy fingers withdrew.

He looked to see what time it was, but his watch was gone. It wasn’t on the dresser, and he did not recall taking it off when he showered. He must have lost it in the snow during the struggle. He’d ask Jeremy to look for it tomorrow. You didn’t leave a Patek Philippe wristwatch in the woods, no matter the circumstances of how it arrived there.

He looked again at the box on the bedside table. Collecting it had almost killed him. He needed to know what was inside. He inspected the box closely, it was small but heavy, and the lock looked robust. He cursed when he remembered the key was still in his office safe. There was no way to open the box until he retrieved it.

William climbed out of bed and stood gingerly, fearful he would feel nauseous again, but he felt surprisingly strong and dressed quickly. His curiosity about the contents of the box proved stronger than the aftershocks of Philip’s attack. He suffered another flashback and saw Philip’s face twisted with hate as clear as it had been in the woods, but mercifully it was gone almost as soon as it appeared. He shuddered, tied his shoes and looked at the door. He remembered his promise to Jeremy to call before he left his room. The major-domo had saved his life and, therefore, despite his curiosity and excitement, he lifted the phone.

Jeremy knocked on his door a few minutes later, and Bird was extremely happy to see him. They shook hands before Bird threw aside his usual reserve and gave the man an expansive hug.

“I see you’re feeling better, sir. Do you intend to call the group together?”

William shook his head and picked up the small box from the bedside table. “No, I have to open this and do some work before I can get them together again. What time is it?”

“It’s almost ten ‘o’clock, sir. Are you sure you’re feeling alright? I gave you a sedative, and you might feel a bit woolly for a while.”

William was shocked when he learned the time, he had been out far longer than he suspected. The group would be frantic at the thought of the looming midnight deadline. “I can’t afford to lose more time, I’m sure the others will be keen to meet as soon as possible. I have to get to my office, but it would be better if they didn’t see me, I don’t need a fuss right now.”

Jeremy nodded and told the lawyer that everyone was waiting for the call to reconvene. He also mentioned he had fielded many angry calls as the hour grew later. William pulled on his suit coat, and Jeremy led him down to his office. As promised, they were unobserved, and William thanked and dismissed the major-domo at his office door.

Bird placed the box on his desk and retrieved his instructions and the small silver key from the safe. He read the hand-written note again and looked at the box. It was time to find out what he had nearly died for. Bird inserted the key and heard a gentle click as the lock released. He lifted the hinged lid to reveal a smaller wooden box and an envelope. Both were wrapped in sealed plastic to protect them from the elements in case the integrity of the outer metal box failed.

William used his letter opener to split the plastic and took out the two items. The envelope was secured with a wax seal that bore Johnston Thurwell’s crest. William inspected it and found it to be intact. It was addressed
To Winnie
, and William knew she should be the one to break the seal. He turned his attention to the box. It was small and square, a wooden work of art with an inlaid pattern on the lid. The delicate hinge and front catch looked like they were gold. He did not open it. He knew that what was inside was not for his eyes.

Bird opened his laptop and waited for it to boot. He scanned the instructions from the yellow envelope once more to ensure he had interpreted them correctly. He reached under his desk and scrabbled with his fingertips to find the Ethernet cable hidden there. He plugged it into his laptop and waited for it to establish an Internet connection. The wireless network in the mansion was state of the art, but had been disabled to control his guests’ contact with the outside world.

William logged into the Zurich bank account and with a few clicks instructed them to transfer forty million dollars to Winnie Tremethick’s account. He paused and looked at the account assigned to Philip Thurwell. With a grim smile, he removed the twenty-five dollars he had used to open Philip’s account and added it to the old lady’s money.

He clicked the confirm button and waited. Exactly one minute later his private telephone rang. He picked it up and gave the bank his confirmation code. It was after 4 a.m. in Zurich, but there was always someone on duty to handle the requirements of the super rich. Bird closed the computer and returned the envelope and the metal box back to the safe. He picked up the letter and wooden box and called Jeremy. He needed an escort again.

$

Jeremy took Bird from his office to Winnie Tremethick’s room. They saw no sign of another soul in the mansion, for which William was thankful. He knocked on the old lady’s door and was surprised when Larry MacLean opened it. There was an awkward moment as the two men looked at each other, then MacLean broke into a wide smile and pumped William’s hand. “God, Bill. It’s good to see you up and about. We were all worried we wouldn’t see you for days. Are you okay? We heard what happened.”

William held up his hand to stop Larry’s verbal torrent and assured him that he was fine and would reconvene the meeting soon. Larry seemed happy to hear the news and stood in the doorway, his attention now drawn to the items in Bird’s hand. “What’s this, Bill? Do you want me to give these to Winnie?”

He reached out to take the box and letter, but William took a step back. “Thanks, Larry, but this is something I have to do. May I?”

MacLean stepped aside to let the lawyer in, announcing him to Winnie, who craned her neck to see who was at the door. Larry tried to dismiss Jeremy at the door, but the major-domo asked him to join him in the hallway. “I believe a private conversation is required at this time, sir. Allow me to accompany you back to your suite.”

Larry looked back into the room and saw William was waiting for him to leave. He was disappointed. He wanted to know what William had in his hand, but he accepted his dismissal and collected his jacket. After a soft word in Winnie’s ear, Larry left her alone with the lawyer. William heard the door close and turned to Winnie with a smile. “Please don’t be concerned Mrs. Tremethick, I’m here on instructions from Mr. Thurwell.”

“Oh, I see. I was worried about you Mr. Bird. We all heard you was attacked outside. That nice Jeremy said you was unhurt, but it’s nice to see you with my own eyes.”

She invited William to sit next to her, but instead he drew up a chair and sat facing her. She looked at him with her honest eyes, curious to know what he had to say.

“Mrs. Tremethick, as we now know, the man the world knew as Johnston Thurwell was known to you as Charlie Wells.”

She smiled. She had been with Larry MacLean for the past hour listening to stories of her Charlie. She had forgotten her earlier irritation with Larry and had invited him back to her room to tell her more stories of Charlie.

William cleared his throat to get her wandering attention back. “I have instructions, direct instructions from Mr. Thurwell about what I am to do now you have discovered that he and Charlie Wells were one and the same.” Winnie leaned forward and hung on Bird’s every word. “Mr. Thurwell wanted to be sure you would be comfortable financially, and I have just completed a transaction that has given you forty million dollars. That’s about twenty-five million pounds.”

She gasped and threw her hands to her face, unable to believe what she had heard. William continued, preferring to get everything in the open quickly. “Also, I have a letter and a box for you. Mr. Thurwell had hidden these away and asked me to make sure you received them as soon as you realized he was Charlie.”

He offered the box to the old lady, and she took it from him gently, as if it were gossamer. Her shock at the money was replaced with a much stronger emotion as she recalled the summer of 1965 and her handsome Charlie. Heavy tears flowed down her pale cheeks. “I’ve seen this box before, Mr. Bird. It was a long time ago, but I could never forget it.”

She caressed the ornate lid with her fingertips and wiped away a tear before she carefully flipped the latch and opened the box. A sob escaped her as she turned the box to show Bird its contents. He saw a diamond ring nestled on a blue velvet pillow. The ring was modest, which surprised William until he remembered that Johnston Thurwell had not yet made his fortune when he and Winnie met.

He looked from the ring to Winnie and saw pain and love on her face as she gazed at the engagement ring she had refused in the autumn of 1965. “I hadn’t been a widow for a full year when he asked me to marry him. I couldn’t accept it. I was too worried about what people would think. He proposed to me when we was out walking one evening. He even got down on his knee.”

She shook her head as she looked at the ring, sniffing through tears. “I was surprised, pleased even, that he thought enough of me to ask. I couldn’t marry Charlie though, not with my husband so fresh in the ground. Or I thought I shouldn’t. Charlie was upset when I told him no. I’d never seen him angry before, but he was very cross with me that night.

“He left me up there on the cliff. I wanted to explain but thought it better to wait ‘til he calmed down. I should have run after him. I wish I had because Charlie never came home. I never saw him again.”

Her tears flowed freely as she recalled her heartbreak and looked at the ring, but she did not remove it from the box. She could never wear the ring she should have accepted forty years before.

William sat quietly as he listened and felt her heartbreak. He handed her the letter, which she took with trembling fingers. She turned it over in her hand and saw the heavy wax seal. She looked at William with red eyes full of brimming tears. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Bird, I’d prefer to read this in private.”

“Of course, Mrs. Tremethick, but I do have one more piece of information before I go.” She looked up, her face showed she was not ready for more surprises but he knew this last act would please her. “Your attendance at the meetings is no longer required. It is Mr. Thurwell’s wish that you return to your farm as soon as possible. There is one event that you must stay for, but then Mr. Thurwell wants you to be back where you belong. I think he would be happy to know you have his ring at last. I suspect he has some kind words for you in that letter.”

Winnie wept as she heard that she was soon to go home. Her homesickness flooded back, and she longed to see the green hills of Cornwall again. She whispered thanks to William, who excused himself and slipped from the room.

William met Jeremy in the hallway and told the major-domo to have the guests assembled in the conference room in ten minutes. It would be after eleven before they were together again. He was not hopeful an agreement would be reached before the penalty deadline, but he knew they would want to try. He walked quickly to his office while Jeremy roused the guests.

T
he lobby filled with the sounds of hurrying people as they made their way to the conference room. There was excited chatter as they greeted each other, but many turned grim when they looked at the large grandfather clock at the foot of the stairs that reminded them of the late hour. William stood beside his chair as the group filed in, and acknowledged those that took the time to tell him they were glad to see he was not hurt.

Junior Thurwell was the last to enter. As usual he wanted to make an entrance. He stood in the doorway until people noticed him and only when he had their attention did he walk to his seat. He glared at the lawyer. William waited for him to either sit or speak, he knew Junior had something on his mind, and it was unlikely to be pleasant. “Please, take your seat, Junior. I’m sure you want to press on.”

Junior sniffed. “Bird, I see you are uninjured. I hope you intend to remedy the injury you have caused us?”

“What injury would that be? I am not aware of anyone else having been attacked.”

Junior waited a few beats to make sure everyone was watching. “I believe you owe us somewhere in the region of five hours lost time. We were prevented from making progress by your absence. It was an impediment to our prospects of reaching an agreement before midnight. I think we all agree?”

He waved his hand expansively over the room to indicate he was going to speak for everyone. Whether they agreed or not was of no concern to Junior. William heard mutters of agreement, most people quietly prayed Junior would prevail.

William shook his head. “I’m afraid that is a vain hope. The midnight deadline is not negotiable. I have no authority to change it. Now would you like to waste time debating something I can’t change, or would you like me to call you all to order?” William tried to stay calm, but knew a note of anger had slipped into his voice.

Junior was having none of it. “Why should we suffer because of your inability to attend? We were all able to be here, the Judge was our Chair. I refuse to accept that we must lose another twenty percent of my father’s money just because you were not here.” He jabbed his finger at William as he spoke, punctuating his points as his voice rose in volume.

William had had enough. “Junior, shut up. I was incapacitated because your brother tried to take my head off. I’m lucky to be here and frankly, you’re lucky too. Had your brother succeeded, you would have left here empty-handed. Your father left instructions for many circumstances and homicide is one of them. Had Philip killed me, the entire fortune would have gone to the Foundation. Every penny. If you prefer to grandstand and criticize me, I’ll say goodnight and take a day or two to fully recover. It’s your choice, Junior. Sit down and accept the way it is, or keep yapping and I’ll see you in a few days, if I feel up to it.” William’s voice shook with anger.

He saw Bethany and others look at him in alarm and then at Junior who stood with his hands flat on the table as his face turned deep scarlet.

“Gentlemen, please. That’s enough.” Freddie Hagood broke into the argument. “William, I’m sure there is no need for this to escalate.

Junior asked a question, albeit not tactfully, but it was a question many of us had. If you say the deadline is unchangeable, so be it. It is unfortunate, but a fact nonetheless. I’d like to express my thanks to you for getting us together before the deadline, I’m sure you’d rather be resting.”

Bird nodded, he was still angry, but Freddie had brought his temper down a notch. He sat down slowly and concentrated on his breathing.

Hagood turned to Junior. “I think we have our answer, Junior. William says it’s out of his hands, so I suggest we waste no more time and continue our business?” Junior stood before them, trembling with rage at being threatened by the lawyer, but he heeded the warning. He knew a wrong word from him now would not only see Bird leave, it would turn others against the family. He and his sisters needed support. If he pressed the issue of lost time, it may come at a high price. He clamped his mouth shut and sat, gesturing at Bird to continue. He didn’t trust himself to say a word.

William watched Junior’s surrender and felt a thrill of victory. He had faced down one Thurwell brother after being defeated by the other. It felt better to win. It was time to move on. The clock was remorseless in its march to midnight.

William thanked Freddie for his sensible words and began to hand the proceedings to the Judge when Larry interrupted. “Wait a minute. Mrs. Tremethick is missing. We can’t continue without her, where is she?” There was an outburst as people realized Larry was right. No one had noticed her absence in the drama of Junior’s entrance.

William pleaded for quiet. “Mrs. Tremethick is no longer part of this group. She will remain in the mansion, sequestered from the rest of you until your negotiations are concluded.” He was forced to wait again as people demanded to know the exact circumstances of her departure. William raised his voice to make his final point. “All I can tell you is that Mrs. Tremethick has fulfilled her duties. Tonight you must accept that your group is reduced to ten people and that the amount you will divide is reduced by a settlement Mrs. Tremethick has received by direct order of Mr. Thurwell.”

A smile crept over Larry’s face as he thought of Winnie in her room, probably thinking of home. He liked Winnie very much, she was a wise soul and the memories they shared had created something of a bond between them. He silently applauded her success and then turned his attention to the bedlam around him.

He saw Camille Jolivet on her feet, jabbing her finger at the lawyer, her face twisted in greed. Junior had lost his cool again and cursed Freddie who had risen to parlay for calm. Judge Freeman banged his hand on the table, adding to the mayhem and doing nothing to restore order.

MacLean laughed. It was a harsh, short burst of derision but soon turned into a full-throated laugh. He felt hot tears roll down his cheeks. He laughed at the thought of Winnie Tremethick’s unlikely love affair and he laughed at the ridiculousness of people who would sacrifice millions of dollars because they were jealous of an old lady who might have been given something they had not.

Larry saw people staring, but he could not stop laughing. Junior swore at him, and he laughed harder. He sounded manic, but it was how he felt. He faced ruin. Whatever he took from the fortune, he would have to give half to Freddie. It was ridiculous how Johnston had made them fight over his money. All they had to do was agree equal shares, and it would be over. Yet their greed was robbing them of the very money they were fighting over. It was absurd.

“Just what is so funny, MacLean?” Freddie was furious. His tone had changed from the one that had been appealing for calm, only moments ago. Hagood had an idea Larry was laughing at him, and Freddie hated to be mocked. “Come on, Larry, let us all in on the joke.”

MacLean looked at Freddie and wiped his eyes. The laugh died, and he fell serious. “Look at us. Just look. We’re fighting over money, yet even as we argue the fortune gets smaller. We’re so busy trying to get more that we all get less. We’re insane. Look at you all obsessing about an old lady who might have gotten something you didn’t, when you’re all just one vote away from having as much, if not more than her. You may never know what she was given, but if you’re rich too, why do you care? The truth is we don’t deserve Johnston’s money. I think this is his way of showing us that.”

Camille dropped into her seat and the others quieted. He had hit a nerve and injected a cold dose of reality into the boiler room atmosphere. Freddie calmed down when he knew he was not the object of MacLean’s amusement. He shook his head. “Larry’s right. This is senseless. It’s 11.45, and we are fighting about something we have no ability to change. I’m right, aren’t I, Bill? This Tremethick deal is done, and there’s nothing we can say or do to undo it.”

Bird confirmed the old lady’s money was transferred, and there was no going back. Heads shook as people realized they had been foolish.

William took advantage of the sudden quiet to hand proceedings off to the Judge, who quickly took control. “Everyone, listen and listen well. We have just over ten minutes to avoid another penalty. I think we would all like to be able to join Mrs. Tremethick and go home. We have that chance now. All we need is eight votes for a deal.”

Freddie interrupted. He had been shamed by Larry’s words and wanted to end the nightmare. “I propose a motion. I propose each of us receive ten percent of the remaining money. An equal split. Regardless of whom you are or what your relationship to Johnston was. Equal shares for all, do I have a second?”

Betty Freah raised her hand. William acknowledged their motion. “You have a valid motion Judge, you should vote quickly.”

There was a groan when Junior stood, his face red and angry. “I made it perfectly clear, the family must take a larger share. What part of that do you find so hard to comprehend? If it were your father’s money, you’d feel the same, so why do you try to cheat us out of our own fucking inheritance.”

“Junior, for God’s sake man, if you defeat this motion we all lose, even you. Get a grip.”

Freddie could not believe Junior would block a motion, but was shocked when Camille interrupted. “I think my brother is correct. It is the principle, no? Let the family take half and divide the rest between you. I will support that motion. But equal shares, no. I stand with my brother in this.”

Freddie turned desperately to Bethany. “Beth, where do you stand? We need eight votes, if you support the rest of us, we can all go home. Are you with us, or with Junior?”

Bethany sighed. Her head was spinning, and her overwhelming sadness at her father’s death flooded back. She looked at her brother and shook her head. “I’m sorry, really sorry Junior, but they’re right. We can’t keep doing this, I’ll vote with the others.”

Junior hissed, and Camille pleaded with her sister to change her mind, but the Judge called the vote. “We only have two minutes, people. I’ll go round the table starting with me and working to my right, make your vote fast and make it clear, we don’t have time for screw-ups.” He looked at Bird and checked they were able to proceed.

Freeman started the roll call. “Judge Freeman votes Aye. How say you, Betty Freah?”

“Yes.”

“Betty Freah votes Aye.”

“Dennis Elliot?”

“Yes.”

“Dennis Elliot votes Aye.”

“Bethany Thurwell?”

“Yes. Sorry Junior, but this is the right call.”

Bethany Thurwell votes Aye.”

“Freddie Hagood?”

“Aye.”

“Freddie Hagood votes Aye.”

“Camille Jolivet?”

“Non.”

“Miss Jolivet votes Nay.”

“Janice Elliot?”

“Yes.”

“Janice Elliot votes Aye.”

“Johnston Thurwell III?”

“No! You goddamn swindlers, I won’t give you what you want.”

“Junior votes Nay.”

“Larry MacLean?”

“Yes.”

“Larry votes Aye.”

“Caroline Smith?”

Smith did not answer but looked at Junior. William looked at his watch as the second hand ticked toward midnight. “Fifteen seconds. Caroline, you must vote. How say you?” She looked at William and the Judge, and a thin smile crept over her lips.

“No.”

William called midnight and the fortune was reduced by another twenty percent.

Freddie stared at Junior, Camille and Caroline, stunned by what they’d done. Smith sat calmly as Junior nodded approvingly at his ally. He was pleased with Caroline but furious at Bethany’s betrayal. William called an adjournment until morning. If anyone heard him, he could not tell. The room was silent as the fact of the loss sank in. He collected his papers and computer and left the throng of disappointed guests behind him.