by Mayes, June
David turned and looked out the window of his office. He couldn’t imagine a life without Beth in his life. A smile slowly crept over his face. In fact, a life with Beth in it was something he looked forward to with a great deal of glee. They were meant to be together.
*
Chapter 40
Two days later, despite their protests, Beth and Vickie found themselves begrudgingly in their lawyers’ offices once again. It was a clear day outside which gave an ominous chill to the air as they were ushered into the main boardroom. Beth looked around at the thick wooden table, the elegant chairs and the two nervously smiling junior partners who loitered by the door ready to attend to either sister’s tiniest need. This room was a far cry from the usual cluttered office the sisters had become so accustomed to when there was decidedly less money behind them. Beth found it amusing how quickly times had changed. Before she could even smirk in her sister’s direction, the doors were thrust open and the junior partners jumped aside for the three senior partners who strode inside.
“Good morning ladies,” the most senior of the trio was quick to say as the three men settled in chairs to the left of the room. He cleared his throat and glancing at the door which had been gently shut behind the departing lesser staff members.
“As you know, as part of your inheritance you are legally joint senior partners in Brian’s business.” He raised his eyebrow. Beth and Vickie glanced at one another and then slowly nodded.
“Knowing your brother and the various situations he was apt to getting himself into,” the Partner paused drawing Beth’s attention back to him as he cleared his throat with an embarrassed glance at his colleagues, “we all felt it would be prudent to have an assessment made of Brian’s business by an independent consultancy and auditor. The organisation that was hired to review Brian’s business is well known, efficient and reputable. They were given access to the company documentation and site two days ago and this morning asked for an urgent meeting with all of us.” The lawyer did not look comfortable as he explained.
Before anyone could get into any further discussion, the consultants arrived. With them was a man who looked, if Beth were feeling truly unkind, like Toad of Toad Hall meets Sherlock Holmes. He was tiny, dressed to the nines in a grey pinstriped suit with a navy blue executive coat thrown over an arm. His eyes took in the room, its occupants and the layout with one sweeping glance and Beth had no doubt that he would remember it all in detail for years to come. Despite his small size, he looked like a man who could strike terror in the hearts of business professionals everywhere. Beth smiled quietly to herself. This was going to be fun.
After initial reintroductions, the consultants wasted no time in explaining the presence of the Toad, Andrew Jones. He was a government auditor. One who specialised in fraud and money laundering.
“This morning we conducted a raid on your late brother’s business,” he started. Beth and Vickie both gasped. Hang on Beth thought, this sounds serious.
“A raid?” Beth asked confused. What was going on now? She glanced at the lawyers who were still looking very uneasy.
“The consultants that you hired became aware that there were issues with the business within hours of their arrival. Over the past two days they have explored the degree to which they and you needed to be concerned,” Andrew paused significantly and then continued, “In short, the business is in serious trouble. There are funds missing, unexplained monetary contributions to and from the business and a number of dubious business processes..” Andrew was succinct and clear. He looked serious and larger then life even though in actuality he was a small man.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were going to be raiding the offices?” Vickie asked puzzled. Beth had to agree. It seemed like there was a lot going on behind the scenes that the sisters, also known as the senior partners, were unaware of.
“There was a question of how involved you might be,” Andrew said without apology. His gaze was direct and he didn’t shift as he spoke directly to them. This was not a man ashamed of himself or his profession. He was making no apologies for the fact they had seriously considered the twins might be criminals.
“I see,” Vickie replied and slowly turned her head to give Beth a pointed look. Okay it looked like Beth’s bad luck streak was back. Beth closed her eyes for a moment and held her breath.
“After investigation and from the evidence that your consultants uncovered during their initial review, it was obvious that neither of you nor Scott Stephens could be involved,” Andrew continued with a slight bow in their direction. If Beth didn’t know better she would have thought he was enjoying this. She could feel her back muscles relax slightly with the knowledge that this wouldn’t be yet another crime lumped on her shoulders. Next to her Vickie looked outwardly relieved and colour was back in her cheeks.
“What have you found out?” Beth asked curious now that she and Vickie were breathing calmly again.
“Our auditing team raided Brian’s offices this morning in order to establish if anyone else was involved. We found a great deal of evidence that this was a long term plan which involved quite a few of the management of your brother’s, and now your, firm,” Andrew replied meeting Beth’s eye. By raid, Beth figured he meant a group of suits showed up in the offices this morning to demand everyone put down their pens and hand over their files, a bit like school exams. Andrew Jones enjoyed his job. As he went on to explain what had taken place, he confirmed that he had indeed led the raid. Beth could see his eyes positively light up as he discussed it. Raids were no doubt one of the perks of his job.
“Having looked through everything, the only avenue of action left that I can recommend is to sell off the assets of the business in order to pay back the IOUs. As it is we may not be able to cover all of them,” the senior partner sighed as he looked back through the record in front of him.
“I concur,” their senior consultant didn’t look anymore pleased as she nodded her agreement. They had reached the end of the line. Beth reached forward and looked through the lists of people and companies that Brian had swindled. It was staggering.
As she turned the page a name jumped out at her. Beth felt like everyone was talking far away from where she was, she tuned out of the discussions going on around her completely. There was David’s name. Beth didn’t know why she was surprised. He had mentioned it when he arrived at the funeral. What he hadn’t mentioned was just how much money Brian had taken from David. If that was one example of what they would have to try and pay back, there was no way the company assets were going to be able to cover the debt. Beth felt a flickering of doubt. Was David so interested in her because of the money? Did he think that by being close to her that he would be more likely to get back what he was owed? No, Beth put her thoughts aside. She could trust him. Shaking her head, Beth focused back on the conversation at hand.
“What about the trust?” she asked as Vickie glanced her way. “Shouldn’t that money be used to cover the debt?” It was a question that had to be asked and Beth felt like it was hanging there in the air as a possible way out for all of them. “Surely the government at the least would seize the accounts?” She looked at Andrew Jones who shook his head.
“Had it been private accounts it could have been seized but as part of a trust it is arguable that the money there had nothing to do with Brian’s business,” he replied. “As for doing the right thing, I firmly believe that the much of the money that is in the trust is actually legitimate. The evidence, and I can not go into a great deal of detail, but the evidence suggests that the money that Brian took was used as part of a laundering scam. It is highly likely that had he been alive, the money that Brian took would be back in the accounts in addition to the money that he was introducing into the system. The Trust money would have remained as is.”
“Liquidation of company will pay most of the debt,” the consultant chimed in. “there are a great deal of assets and its likely that another company might buy out his overseas offices which will c
over any remaining debt. The costs will be recouped but it may take some time.” Beth felt herself blow a small sigh of relief. That was good news if it all worked out. Anyway she reasoned with herself they could always use the trust money to pay things back if everything else failed.
When the sisters got home, they cornered Scott and David to tell them what had happened. With all the details at hand it now made sense why Brian reactivated the Trust. It was his safety net. The money in it, had he been caught, couldn’t be touched. All they could do was take his company, leaving Brian with a nice nest egg to live off. The only reason Beth and Vickie got the money is that the Trust reverted to Brian’s mother’s original wishes.
“I would just avoid eating or drinking anything given to you by one of his ex-wives or girlfriends,” Stephen said as he shoved another chip in his mouth.
“Why?” Beth asked watching suspiciously as Stephens eyes lit up.
“Well if he had thought about it, he probably would have changed the Trust to match his will,” Stephen explained trying not to smile. “Well it would mean that the vultures would even now be enjoying your new found wealth instead of us.” David, Beth and Vickie started to laugh.
“Okay so we check any gifts from any of them for booby traps,” Beth said nodding.
“And test all food and drink for arsenic,” Vickie agreed solemnly causing everyone to laugh again.
Despite all the problems, Brian’s business turned out to be the only downside of the entire inheritance issue. Because there was nothing the sisters could do to help with the situation even the business problems weren’t a big downside. Everything seemed to be fitting into place. Scott teased Vickie about her waddling. Beth found herself tripping over David’s bag every time she headed into the bedroom. The fact that David would usually witness her flying through the air and in one case even caught her was just insult to injury. Beth had not managed to convince him that normally she was not accident prone, quite the opposite in fact.
Consolation for her less then elegant bedside manner usually involved lots of laughing and the shedding of various articles of clothing. It was really no hardship at all. Beth even felt herself begin to wonder if she was in love. It seemed too soon but she couldn’t find any other way of explaining how she felt about him. David had become a regular fixture in the house, one that Beth had to admit she was quite getting use to. She often would find herself listening for him in the evenings when he would normally arrive home. It felt right that he stayed. As for why he stayed, well he and Scott seemed to think that without them the sisters would be knee deep in murder cases. Neither sister could come up with a good argument to contradict them. So far the twins had not managed to extract Beth from being a key suspect in Brian’s murder.
Chapter 41
Taking her mind off the new range, Beth opened the front door three days later to find Bee, Charlotte and Karin. Clutched in each of their hands was a long list all the things that their rich best friends might want to get for them.
“A Ferrari?!” Beth exclaimed laughing as Vickie giggled next to her on the couch. They were in the living room with the three reprobates perched on the assortment of chairs gleefully explaining why they put what on their list. Beth eyed Charlotte over the top of the list that she had presented.
“Why not?” Charlotte asked sounding hurt. “A red one I think, as it will match more of my outfits.” She was sitting on the edge of the couch swinging one of her jean clad legs. Her cashmere sweater clung elegantly to her curves and she looked deceptively innocent.
“You don’t have a driving licence Charlotte,” Beth pointed out with a laugh. Beth leaned back tucking her multicoloured peasant skirt around the legs she had folded up onto the couch. She played with the long amber bead necklace as she looked back at the list. Next to her Vickie had her feet stretched up on the coffee table. Vickie was wearing a fleece white sweatshirt and navy white cotton draw string trousers. Against her dark auburn hair and dancing blue eyes she looked decidedly soft and motherly. Her skin fairly gleamed as she grinned at Beth. It was nice to have friends around them, ones willing to make fun of their newly wealthy acquaintances. Friends like these can keep a person sane Beth decided.
“Miner hick-up,” Charlotte retorted to Beth’s comment with a shrug and then gave the sisters a grin. “We just wanted to make sure you two weren’t getting weighed down with all the new found wealth. Anyway I can always get you to pay for a chauffeur as well!”
“You are too kind,” Vickie returned with a smile. Nothing fazed them Beth thought. They didn’t care if Beth and Vickie were poor or rich.
“Hey you did disinfect this room after they took Brian’s body away didn’t you,” Bee asked looking around with mock horror. They were sitting, after all, in the room that Brian’s body had been laid out in.
“He was in a coffin the whole time Bee,” Vickie said soothingly, “Except when we accidentally stripped him naked and dragged his carcass around the room of course.”
“Oh, of course,” Bee agreed nodding, pretending to be serious. “I can see how that could happen.”
“So have you two got over that nasty habit of killing people?” Charlotte asked with wide eyed innocents. “Or should we be compiling a list of suggested victims for you to consider next?”
“Don’t joke.” Beth said. “I really wish they would find out who did it. I just want it all put to rest.”
“Actually Joseph is coming around to give you an update.” Karin chimed in. There was a stunned silence as everyone digested this. Karin started to blush and attempted to look nonchalant. “He said he would be around this morning. I figured if we were all here then you wouldn’t have to repeat what he said.”
“And with all of us here you figured he couldn’t try to bully Beth again.” Charlotte astutely added giving Karin an appraising look.
“He’s just doing is job.” Karin said defending him. “Its not like he is doing it just to be mean.” Just as the two of them began to get into a heated discussion the doorbell rang. Beth glared at her friends and told them to behave.
Sure enough, at the door were Joseph and his partner. Never looking the most comfortable when they came by, the detectives looked very uneasy as they were ushered into a room full of people. Beth caught Joseph giving Karin an exasperated look. No doubt he would be having a chat to her about their timing. Karin just smiled at him, nothing like a show of support from your friends.
Joseph asked that Scott and David join them as well so Beth obediently went to fetch them from the back. Sometime over the last three days Vickie had decided to redesign the garden. She had David and Scott, when he wasn’t at work, cutting flower beds and laying garden paths. It would be a masterpiece when done but in the meantime the garden looked like a muddy mess. The two trooped into the kitchen looking like they had been in a mud wrestling competition.
Eventually everyone was somewhat clean and gathered into the living room. Joseph and his partner stood to one side as everyone else found a perch to sit on. Beth ended up leaning against David who had staked out the arm of the couch. With his arms around her and her back against his chest, Beth felt protected. David was on her side.
“Tina was murdered by a blow to the back of the head,” Joseph started. “It is pretty clear from our investigations that she knew something about Brian’s murder. We think that she was trying to blackmail whoever did it which may have lead to her subsequent death.”
“How did you make that connection?” Scott asked.
“We have established that the item of clothing in the closet belonged to Tina.” The detective shot Beth and Karin a look. “From the location of that clothing and other items found in the vicinity, it looked like she left in a hurry. We found a notebook in her home and the indents showed that she had written a note asking to be paid up.”
“Have any of you had dealings with Tina outside of the funeral?” The detective asked and looked up to meet Beth’s eye. “I need to know if any of you have any other information a
bout this case.” David tightened his arms around Beth supporting more of her body weight. She realised that the detective and David both thought she might have stumbled on more information and didn’t tell them. She shook her head.
“At this we are confident that the murders are linked and that both victims were murdered by the same person or persons,” Joseph paused and Beth held her breath. He continued, “We are also firmly of the belief that Brian’s murder is linked to his business. There are too many factors pointing to a business associate or partner.” Beth could almost feel the collective sighs of relief ruffle her hair. Could it be over?
Joseph took a deep breath. “I don’t need to tell you that this is a serious situation. We are following some very hot leads. Don’t do anything that can jeopardise the investigation.” After a few more comments he and his partner left the house.
“So it’s over?” Vickie asked looking relieved.
“For us at least,” David agreed nodding. He was looking relaxed in a dirty pair of worn jeans and an old sweatshirt. There was a smudge of mud on his cheek which Beth had to restrain herself from rubbing off. She really loved him dirt and all.
Beth looked around thinking through what Joseph had just said.
“What was the last comment about? Does he think we might warn the people at Brian’s office?” she asked. Vickie and Scott shrugged. Everyone else looked puzzled as well.
“He knows that none of us were involved,” Karin said quietly from the window seat watching everyone as they mulled everything through. “I think they have figured out who did it and don’t want us to stumble into it.”
“So we’re clear?” Beth asked to clarify the point. “They know we had nothing to do with it. We’re really clear of it all?”
“Yes,” Karin said responding to Beth’s comments with a smile. “Joe told me this morning that they were close so I think it’s safe to say we’re all in the clear.”
