Dangerous Inheritance

by Shirley E. Watson

  “You know, I just can’t believe this can be on the up and up. Do you really sell timeshares, Ms. Voss? Just tell me now, because I can’t afford anything like that. You’d be wasting your money to bring me up there.”

  Klara sounded as though she was stifling a laugh and said, “No, we are not a timeshare company. Mr. Montville wouldn’t like to hear that. He is quite a distinguished lawyer. You can look him up if you want. And Jack Valiant at Mortimer Sachs can tell you quite a lot. We’ve done business with them occasionally. And Jack was at law school with Mr. Montville.”

  Lee finally made up her mind. “Well, all right. I’ll come. But if anyone tries to sell me something, I’m leaving and going home again. My time is valuable to me. You’re warned.”

  “I think you’ll find everything will be all right, Ms. Girard. Don’t worry. Mr. Montville will explain it. You will have no further obligation. And Boston is wonderful at this time of year.”

  Lee let herself dream for a moment. Boston, where wealthy eligible men like the fabled Kennedys had lived. Then curbed herself. Get a grip. Just go and take a little vacation for a couple of days. You need it. You can even visit Filene’s basement, if it’s still there.

  “I’m coming, Ms. Voss. I’m relying on you.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting you.”

  CHAPTER 4

  In an office complex in Boston, Clifton Montville watched Klara Voss, as she placed the folder on his wide, softly gleaming walnut desk and walked to the door. In her chic black suit, she was the image of the perfect legal assistant. She was expensive and he surmised she considered herself worth it. A perfect complement to himself. He chuckled inwardly. He didn’t come cheap, either. But the man whose will they were about to read wouldn’t have cared about the cost. He was used to demanding the best and he knew he had to pay for it. All he needed was that his wishes be carried out, wishes that were just a little more involved than the simple reading of a will. Klara reached the office door and looked at the three specimens of humanity scattered around the waiting room. She paused, waiting, looking back at Clifton.

  Clifton opened the folder on his desk. He’d discussed the will at length with Everett Woodson, a few years ago. The lawyer said, “Are you sure, Everett, that this is what you want to do? There could be complications.” Of course, complications was what he had founded his own career on. He folded the will and placed it carefully into his soft leather portfolio. “I will, of course, carry out your instructions to the letter, if this is what you really want.”

  The elderly man, in poor health, was sitting in his favorite chair. He stamped his cane with the engraved silver band, on the floor. He was a man who always, or almost always, got exactly what he wanted. The force of his personality filled the room. “Of course there will be complications! That’s the whole point, isn’t it? To stir things up? To shake things out? To start a fire that will burn out the weak wood and refine the true heartwood, so to speak. I want to give them their inheritance, but I need to know something about them. That’s why I’ve devised this little test. If they can at least show that they are capable of knowing what they want in life and making the effort to get it, that means a lot. I have no use for lazy layabouts. I’ve seen too many wealthy families that spoil their children and they come to a disgraceful end. This will be different.”

  The lawyer did not allow himself to express his own skepticism. He nodded politely. “Well, I’ve made it as airtight as I know how. As litigation proof as I know how. As complete.”

  Everett Woodson gave a dry laugh. “Knowing your reputation, that’s good enough for me. So you have your instructions, now. You know what to do.”

  Clifton creased his brow. “It’s a lot of money, Everett. To recap briefly, by your will, a substantial amount of money will go to each one if and when they have completed the challenge, as you call it. To start, they will each get $10,000 and expenses. If they just walk away from it, I’m to give them a smaller settlement. A generous settlement, according to your wishes. But one could get so much more. So that is your will, to all intents and purposes.”

  The old man nodded. “They’re my grandchildren, even if I haven’t spent much time with them.” He said, somewhat wonderingly, “I haven’t really spent any time at all, have I? How did the years go so fast?”

  The lawyer went on, “But no one will know that you are looking for one person who can take over in your stead. How do you know one will stand out above the others? Don’t you think that that would create resentment?”

  They’d talked about this before, but he still thought this was a flaw in his employer’s plan.

  Everett Woodson’s lips curved in a smile. “It’s my money, isn’t it?.” He managed a small laugh. “I want to know what they would say if we asked them how they would manage a lot of money. Do you know, Clifton, that a lot of people just don’t want responsibility of any kind? They want a handout, somebody else to do things for them. Too many in this country now!” He stamped his cane again, his face flushing dangerously. “I’m looking for a take-charge person with a head on his or her shoulders. Not a namby-pamby. I’m hoping somebody of my own flesh and blood will want to step up and take over some day.” He took a steadying breath and paused, then went on. “ I’ll give you my guidelines. I’m hoping it will be clear enough if we have found that person.” He stopped and thought for a moment.

  The lawyer poised his pen over a pad, ready to make notes. T

  The old man continued, “They don’t know how wealthy I really am. And that will be quite a surprise, won’t it? At least, I hope so. This plan is just the best I can do. I want to leave my estate to blood relatives. In spite of what I say, I’ll make sure they’re taken care of. But I’m looking for the One, Clifton, the One who will me ME.” He smiled. “Maybe that’s a tall order, but I’d like to know. Even if I’ll be looking down from somewhere else. And your expenses will be covered, of course, if you can see this happens in a timely manner. When I die, you know, the clock starts ticking.” He chuckled until a fit of coughing ended it and brought a private nurse in to see what was going on.

  “We’re having too much fun, aren’t we?” She cast a disapproving look at the lawyer, who was gathering up his briefcase and papers. The lawyer shook his head gently.

  As he left the mansion, Clifton Montville muttered to himself, “We’re about to have a great deal more fun, one of these days. But I don’t think I’ll be laughing. I wouldn’t be surprised if this doesn’t end well. I hope the old man is really in his right mind. There’s only one of him. And he can’t be replaced. Just my opinion.”

  Now he looked up at Klara, who was contemplating the heirs. “All right, Klara. Bring them in, please.”

  Klara was standing in the office door, looking into the waiting room where the three people sat without talking. On the leather couch were the two sisters, Lee and Cassie, and across from them in a tweed armchair lounged their cousin Derek. Klara wasn’t surprised in any way at them. She had seen everything in her years as personal assistant to Clifton Montville, although, she admitted, that lately, it was mostly the rich and powerful who came into this office. These three looked as though they scratched a living. Unbelievable that they were the old man’s grandchildren. Or maybe not so unbelievable. Klara looked more closely at them.

  Cassie perched on the edge of the sofa. Her cotton jacket was wrinkled around the pockets where it seemed that an iron had pressed it many times until the fabric became shiny and almost brittle. The dress under it was in a pattern Klara recognized from ten years ago. Her hair was limp and too long for current styles. Klara thought that intelligence lurked behind those large glasses. But the woman didn’t seem to care what she looked like. Cassie sat twisting her hands together. She stopped when she saw Klara watching her. Her sister, Lee, looked tired. Although she could have been very attractive with her curly dark hair and blue eyes, her pale skin and the well-washed faded shirt and jeans she wore seemed to make her fade into the background. She had a ge
ntle look and when she looked up at Klara, gave a tentative smile. Derek, on the other hand, made her want to tell him to sit up straight and stop eating all the mints from the crystal bowl on the table. If she had been his Mom, which of course she was too young to be, she’d make him cut his hair and iron his clothes. Was this supposed to be a rock n’roll, edgy look? If so, it didn’t work. However, Klara knew enough to keep her opinions to herself except on the occasions when Clifton asked her for them. Then, of course, she actually told him. She knew that was one reason that Clifton valued her so highly.

  She raised her voice and stepped forward into the room.

  “Ladies and gentleman, please follow me.”

  The sisters and Derek rose and walked behind Klara as she led the way into Clifton’s office. They seemed momentarily stunned as they took in the tall windows with their view of Boston harbor and the antique furniture that fit the space so well. Derek was eyeing the sailing ship models that sat on bookcases alternately with law books. Klara settled them in comfortable chairs in front of the large desk, asking them if they would like anything to drink. She passed around bottles of water and soft drinks on a silver tray. Then she took a seat herself discreetly in the back.

  Klara watched Clifton closely as he observed the three. She couldn’t tell what he thought. He cleared his throat and began by telling them why they were there.

  “I’m glad you decided to come, because I’m sure you’ll be interested in what I have to say. First, this is regarding the will of Everett Woodson. Your grandfather. Yes, Mr. Dougall?”

  Derek stood up and struggled to get out the words. “That son of a bitch. I came all this way for this? He never wanted anything to do with us. What is this?”

  The lawyer waved a hand. “Please, Mr Dougall. Profanity is not necessary. If you would only wait and listen to what I have to say, I would greatly appreciate it. This is my job and I need to complete it.”

  Derek threw himself down into the chair again. “I’ll listen only because I realize you have to do your job, but I want nothing to do with that man. He threw my mother out and if he’d supported what she wanted to do, maybe she’d be alive today. If he wasn’t dead, I’d take a gun to him.” He subsided, out of breath. “So go on, do your thing.”

  Klara suppressed a smile. The lawyer looked at Derek with some alarm as though afraid he really had a weapon concealed somewhere. He sat up straighter in his chair and went on, one hand patting the papers in front of him. “Well, Everett Woodson, as I said, your grandfather, entrusted me to communicate the terms of his will to you.”

  Lee said, somewhat hesitantly, not wanting to cause another interruption, but wanting to get in her question, “Are you sure this man is our grandfather? I never knew my grandfather’s name. Our Dad never spoke about him. If he was somebody rich or something, I think we would have known.”

  Klara thought, “Good question. The girl isn’t as dull as she seems.”

  Clifton smiled at Lee. “I can assure you, Everett was your grandfather. We made quite sure of it as Ms Voss can attest. He was a somewhat unusual personality. He liked to keep himself away from the world, but he ran many companies from a stronghold on a large estate. I can tell you that his children probably didn’t find it easy to have him as a father. I believe that they were artistic in nature, like their mother, and Everett had no interest in art. Or anything except his business interests. Your grandmother died young and your grandfather married again. A woman who, I’m afraid, didn’t seem to get along with her stepchildren.” He looked up at them. His eyes traveled to Ms Voss who was watching him intently. He continued, “ When the two children, your parents, grew to adolescents, they both ran away. Everett was of the opinion that they’d be better off out proving themselves in the world, as he had to do when he was young. So he never tried to contact them. I think he regretted later that contact was lost. He had thought they’d come back with their tails between their legs. But they didn’t. And by his own admission, the years just went by too fast. Maybe that’s why he wanted to leave this particular will.” He paused again and looked at his audience as though expecting questions.

  Lee and Cassie looked at each other. Cassie said, slowly. “I can’t believe he never even tried to find us. Even if he wasn’t a very nice person, I’d have liked to know my grandfather.”

  Lee nodded. “Yes, he deprived us of that. But I suppose that’s the way he was. We have to accept it.”

  Derek snorted. “I don’t have to accept anything.” He glared at Clifton. “Could you please get this over with?”

  The lawyer looked at the papers on his desk. “Well, your grandfather was fairly well off when your parents lived with him, but it wasn’t until later that he made most of his money. By this will, he wanted to give you all something and also he wanted to ask something of you.” He hesitated. “Your grandfather was an unusual man.”

  Derek made a rude noise but said nothing.

  Clifton went on, “Klara will give each of you a check for $10,000.” He wasn’t sure of the three which one gasped, or maybe it was all of them. So this amount would be a large one for them.

  He continued, “And, there’s a challenge attached.”

  Derek said, “I knew it, he wouldn’t just give it away. What’s the old so and so want from us, anyway?”

  Clifton said, “You have to understand the nature of the man. He was a self-made man and he believed that people shouldn’t just be given everything in life. He believed they have to earn it.”

  Derek broke in again. “Yeah, like my Mom had to earn her food and clothing. He couldn’t even help her a little.”

  “Yes, Mr. Dougall. I quite appreciate your point of view. If I may continue?”

  “Go ahead. I don’t have to like it.”

  Clifton said, “There is a prize he wants to offer you.”

  Cassie couldn’t contain her reaction. She burst out, “Our grandfather wants to put us in a contest?” She sounded astonished.

  “Well, it’s not like any contest you have ever experienced. With your permission, I would like to just read this to you without interruptions.” He glanced over at Derek, who stared angrily but said nothing.

  He went on to read the page before him. When he had finished there was complete silence. Finally, Lee spoke.

  “So, there is more money for us if we complete this contest, as you call it. And we’re not competing against each other. We’re competing with ourselves!”

  Clifton said, “That is correct, Lee.”

  Cassie said, “But you said the object of the contest is to set a goal to achieve one thing that we really want, in one year. And it has to be an important thing, something that is meaningful to us. How is that possible? It takes some people a lifetime. If they ever find something meaningful at all!”

  Clifton said, “Well, there are actual guidelines, Cassandra. I will be giving you documentation that spells out exactly what the task entails. Basically, you have to let us know in writing what you consider your “most important goal.” Then tell us what you can expect to achieve in one year and how we can know you’ve done it. It can’t be a mere “wish” so to speak. Everett believed that people who take action are way ahead of the rest of the crowd. We realize that there are tasks that take much longer, but Everett stated that if anyone can set a goal for one year and complete it, that they are on the way to great things, or at least on the way to achieving something. Believe it or not, many people would not be able to complete this task. That was his philosophy and so I am here to carry out his wishes. Of course, you can opt not to participate. You can still take the $10,000.” Those who complete the challenge will be rewarded but I can’t tell you the details. Also, Everett had warned him not to divulge how much money was involved yet. As Everett had said, “This is the carrot. Let’s see who wants it.” A strange will, indeed, Clifton considered. Did the old man think one of these people would be able to fill his shoes? He doubted it. Everett had laid out various scenarios. Clifton was to choose which one
of them fit the case. Why didn’t the old man contact his grandchildren before it was too late? Clifton didn’t relish this task but he would do it. It was his job.

  Lee said, “So, if we go on this program and finish, we each collect another sum of money? You said you can’t tell us the exact amount. But it would be in addition to the $10,000. It just seems unreal.”

  Clifton nodded. “I’m sorry. Your grandfather was one of a kind. This is what he wanted.”

  Derek spoke, finally. “Don’t you get it, it is unreal, Lee. There’s some catch to it. Why didn’t he just give us an inheritance if he was going to? I don’t trust him for a minute, even if he is dead now.”

  Clifton sighed. He knew this wouldn’t be easy. “I can assure you, Derek, there isn’t a catch to it. It’s quite on the up and up. There is money for you. But you do have to come up with a worthy goal. I realize that it seems eccentric. But you know, your grandfather was never one to follow the crowd. He had a lot of original ideas and many of them made money. Everett made Klara and myself the judges of the goals you need to submit to us. If we judge this to be something in the spirit of the contest, and it fulfills the requirements, then that will be it. You can go ahead with it. I know how it sounds, but your grandfather was an unusual man, as I said.”

  “Oh, I was going to say my goal was to eat $1,000 in Milky Way Bars by year’s end. Dang it. Guess that won’t work.”

  “No, I’m afraid you need to come up with something real. Sorry, Derek.”

  Derek kicked his legs out and sprawled in his chair. “I probably won’t participate, as you call it, anyway. It’s a load of crap. I just don’t trust the old coot. Why should I? I didn’t know him and I have no interest now.”

  Cassie and Lee stared at him, shocked at his disrespect of the dead.

  “As you wish,” the lawyer said. “You have one week to tell me what your goals are. I won’t do anything one way or another so you can all think it over. I knew it would be a shock to you, so you need some time. Enjoy the hotel and our city until then if you wish.”