Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery
Page 32
Annie shook her head in the negative, although it wasn’t the complete truth, since the mining stock certificates she had inherited from Matthew now rested in escrow waiting for the will to be probated, but no need to confuse the man.
“No, I thought not!” Driscoll said. “But you do have the house, so just sign this document, and everything will be fine.” Driscoll folded his arms complacently, and then looked startled when Annie rose and handed the documents back to him.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Driscoll, that you have gone to all this trouble. But I will never sign over this house. As I have explained, I fulfilled any responsibility I might have had to John’s creditors when I liquidated all the property I owned or had inherited at the time of his death. Your claim comes too late. In fact, I have recently learned that under California law, this house, or any property or income I obtained after my husband’s death, is not subject to any of my late husband’s creditors. Now, I believe it is time for you to leave. I will have my maid escort you out.” Annie went to the bell pull next to the mantel and then returned to stand in the middle of the room.
Gone was the affable smile on Driscoll's face as he stood up and walked past Annie to the parlor door. At the door he turned and spat out, “Don’t think that this is the end of this discussion, Mrs. Fuller! I think that you have seriously misunderstood the law. You owe me this money, and I will get it, one way or the other. I’ll take you to court if I have to, and I’ll win and you will be left with nothing! The lawyer’s fees alone will bankrupt you. So, just think about that, and when you change your mind and decide to be reasonable, you can reach me at the Palace Hotel.”
Annie smiled, and said, “I don’t believe that I will change my mind, Mr. Driscoll. For you see, I do understand the law. I had it explained to me by an excellent lawyer, who is a Harvard graduate and is licensed to practice law in both New York and California. Oh, and as for those lawyer’s fees, I suspect that any legal action on your part will cost you a good deal more than it will cost me, since that lawyer has agreed to represent my interests in this case, for free.”
With satisfaction, Annie saw first surprise and then defeat in Driscoll’s face. Then, as Kathleen opened the door and escorted him out, she heard the door to the back room open and in a moment felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Annie Fuller leaned back into the comforting embrace of her lawyer, feeling very safe and only a little afraid.
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Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery