Snow Bond

by Ross Richdale

  "What have we done wrong?" Renee asked.

  McKay gave a whisk of a smile. "Nothing. I represent the estate of Thelma Brooks. You may remember her."

  Renee stared at him. "She was Larry's grandmother. I attended her funeral in Auckland a few years back?"

  The lawyer glanced at the document. "Yes. Nine years ago."

  "So why the concern about her estate at this time?"

  "The late Larry Brooks's estate has brought to light an historical section in his grandmother's will. This is what my firm is acting upon."

  Renee frowned. When she was married she had found his grandmother a sweet old lady who lived in a retirement village of Coastal Gardens across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Even after she had separated from Larry she had made a point of visiting Thelma on a quite regular basis. Her impression was that she was a lonely old lady who was rarely visited by friends and never visited by Larry.

  Thelma had a cottage in the village but due to ill health, had shifted into the rest home section in the same village where more care could be provided to her. At the time she was in her late eighties, had become quite weak but she still had an astute mind.

  Renee's mind drifted back to the last visit she had made to Thelma.

  RENEE PLACED THE BUNCH of roses she had brought with her in a vase and handed Thelma a packet of chocolate biscuits that she had already opened for her.

  The old lady smiled. "I've still got a couple from your last visit Renee. I keep them for my morning and afternoon teas. They're far better than the so called 'good for you' oatmeal biscuits they provide here." She sighed. "I'm damned if I know why I need something good for me at my age."

  Renee smiled. Thelma was quite a blunt old lady.

  Thelma glanced up, reached out and trembling cold fingers gripped Renee's hand "So you're not ever getting back with Larry?" she asked.

  "No Thelma; we're legally separated and my divorce will be coming through after the usual two years." She expected a retort but instead Thelma just smiled.

  "Good on you. In my day we were expected to stick by our husbands no matter how bad the relationship was." She sighed. "It's a generational thing, you know," she added but her tone suggested that she wanted to speak about a new topic.

  Renee still held Thelma's hand as she sat down on the bed and waited while the old lady leaned back on a pillow

  Thelma continued to speak. "Fred my husband wasn't too bad, I guess but Larry's father, my deceased son had a dark side to him."

  "Dark side?"

  "V&M, my sisters and I called it, violence and mistresses. There were three of us sisters, you know... The other two have gone now but for years it was only each other's support that helped us survive."

  "I'm sorry."

  Thelma withdrew her hand and waved it out. "Don't be. We had our lives, tolerated our situations and actually did quite well in the world. That's what I want to talk to you about." She stopped and reached for one of the chocolate biscuits that Renee had brought. "I haven't long in this world, Renee but do not want everything squandered by Larry. As you know, he is my only direct descendant." She grimaced. "Legitimate one anyway."

  Renee nodded.

  "Have a fruitful life Renee. Don't just drift into old age and regret not doing whatever you wish because of the stifling customs of those who came before. Perhaps in the future I may be able to contribute to your happiness, even if only to compensate for your failed marriage."

  "You don't need to do a thing, Thelma."

  "Possibly not but neither do you need to visit me every week without fail. Larry never comes." She coughed and wriggled back up to a sitting position. "I shall remember your kindness, Renee."

  "It's no trouble, Thelma. I enjoy our conversations."

  "An old lady's ramblings about her gardens and the pets she had thirty years ago?"

  That was the last visit Renee had ever made to Thelma Brooks. Three days later she received a telephone call and was told that the elderly lady had died during the night.

  "THERE WAS A SECTION in Thelma Brooks will that, in accordance to her wishes, were not divulged in the formal reading to her next-of-kin." Jonathan McKay's voice brought Renee's mind back to the present. "Circumstances that she had anticipated could happen, now have, hence my visit here today."

  "So obviously something included affected me."

  "Yes. I have highlighted the main words in her will that concern you." He opened the document, flipped over several pages and slid it across for Renee to read.

  The firm of Fredrick Brooks Holdings is entirely owned by myself and shall be held in trust but my grandson Larry William Brooks can continue to manage it as he has done since his twenty-fifth birthday. I am concerned about this arrangement so wish to invoke the conditions set out below.

  The description that followed was in long-winded legal language that she asked the lawyer to explain.

  "It basically says that if he meets the conditions she set out, on his fortieth birthday the company would be bequeathed to him and at that time, twenty thousand dollars would also be bequeathed to you, either in company shares or a cash equivalent."

  Twenty thousand! That would certainly help them with their present mortgages. "So she bequeathed me twenty thousand dollars?" she asked.

  "If he met the conditions she set out. She was aware of his temperament and, in her words, lackadaisical life style and hoped that by the time he became forty, he would have matured enough to own the business his father and grandfather had built up." Jonathan McKay ran his finger down the document to a sub-clause.

  If my grandson, Larry William Brooks becomes deceased before his fortieth birthday in violent circumstances or by his own hands, the conditions as set out in Clauses 47 through to 53 above will deem to be unfulfilled.

  Again there was a complicated legal statement full of therefore, whereas and other legalities.

  "Okay, so Larry was thirty-eight when he committed suicide," Renee said after she read through the paragraphs. "He was found guilty of a far more serious offence than assault and causing grievous bodily harm on a female that Thelma stipulated would violate the standard she required. As far as I can see I have been bequeathed twenty thousand dollars and since Larry is now dead it can be paid to me now, rather than waiting until after his fortieth birthday in two years."

  "No," McKay said and turned over a page in the document. "By failing to meet the standards she set, the firm does not belong to him so cannot be included in his estate. It is therefore bequeathed to the second named party."

  "A charity or church? I know Thelma was an Anglican and quite religious."

  "You're wrong again, Renee. In the event that Larry Brooks failed to meet the standards she set out, the family business of Fredrick Brooks Holdings was bequeathed in its entirety to you. You only need to provide evidence that you are the former Renee Brooks who had married Larry Brooks and it becomes yours."

  "But I divorced him!" Renee gasped.

  Jonathan McKay grinned. "Thelma Brooks was an astute woman for she even included a clause stating that if you divorced Larry Brooks or changed your name it would not alter your inheritance." He again ran his finger down to another highlighted section. "Here it is."

  "Oh my God," Renee gasped. "What's the firm worth?"

  "It's become quite run down since Thelma Brooks's death but is still worth quite a few million." Jonathan McKay appeared to be enjoying himself. "There's more, too."

  "Go on," Renee said.

  "Larry was no business man and made some stupid choices but there was one interesting acquisition he made quite recently. "

  "And that was."

  "East Ridge station that surrounds your property was in two titles when it was sold five years ago. You may remember there was quite a protest when it was bought by a Chinese company."

  Renee nodded.

  "It never reached the media but they only purchased the original East Ridge Station. The smaller section of fifty hectares, including three houses and other outbuil
dings, were purchased by a local company and only last year, resold to Fredrick Brooks Holdings. This includes the western side of East Ridge Hill beyond the property you own and the small dam."

  "But why?"

  "Our firm believes it was because you own this old Ministry of Works depot. Larry Brooks wanted to squeeze you out. That small dam built on the property was originally built to provide water to a larger village than the one that eventuated, as well as the East Ridge Station. An historical agreement on water rights was never renewed and was due to expire after fifty years. That would be next year. We think he intended to foreclose on the water rights agreement you have with that property by diverting all the water away from the stream that runs through your land. "

  "But he couldn't. Withholding water rights from a property wouldn't stand up in court."

  "Possibly not but it would take thousands of dollars in legal fees to negotiate a new agreement. He was banking that it would bankrupt you."

  "He was vindictive," Renee whispered. "It is exactly what I would expect from him."

  "So once the legalities are complete, the East Ridge Village Farm that the property is called becomes yours."

  Jonathan told her she could keep the copy of the section of Thelma's will that he had brought, shook her hand and departed.

  Renee watched the BMW drive away and just stood there for a moment absorbing the news. Thelma didn't really deserve a grandson like Larry but to realise that she knew what he was really like, was marvellous. In her own marriage to him it had taken her months to realise that he wouldn't change and her best action was to leave. It had taken tremendous courage to do that but finally she was about to reap the benefit by being kind to his dear old grandmother.

  "Trouble?" Sandra said as Renee walked back out into the shop.

  "No," Renee replied. "Just some legal stuff. You know what these lawyers are like?"

  "Yeah. They charge you a hundred bucks to walk through their doorway."

  Renee laughed, excused herself and went to find Tyler with the news.

  CHAPTER 13

  Renee had been prone to morning sickness for two weeks now though that term didn't really fit in. She'd wake felling okay but around this time, mid-morning, it came on and would continue through most of the day until late afternoon. Once the excitement of finding out she was pregnant had worn off, there was now this annoying factor. She was six weeks into her pregnancy on this special day, she guessed it was, for it was one year since the big snowstorm that cut them off from the world had arrived. She sighed and munched on a couple of ginger cubes that did seem to relieve the nausea and decided to walk down to the shop. Exercise and fresh air would help.

  As she walked across to the baby in the buggy she smiled to herself. Aza and Sofia were visiting and the little three-month-old girl named Alice was at the interesting stage where she was beginning to take notice of the world around her. She was shy, though and it took the last couple of days before she would even come to her without crying for her mother or Sofia.

  "Well Sweetheart," she said as she gave Alice her bottle. "Shall we go down to the shop and see how Sandra's getting on? Mummy and Mamma have gone up to the top tank with Tyler."

  In the all women family, Aza had become Mummy and Sofia Mamma for the little girl. Renee grinned for since their arrival, Sofia had actually looked after Alice more than her birth mother and Aza had even stopped breast-feeding her.

  Outside it was cold but no snow had arrived though black clouds over the hills really confirmed the weather report that predicted snow showers that evening. Sam had gone up the track with the trio but Apricot the cat now accompanied her down to the shop. This was probably because Sandra made a fuss of her and always had a bowl of cat food waiting in the back room.

  As she approached the shop she noticed that Sandra had just filled a Land Cruiser up with fuel and walked back across the kerb to the shop veranda where an elderly man stood waiting. It wasn't necessary for Sandra to full the vehicles but she said she didn't mind when she wasn't busy.

  When Renee went closer she noticed Sandra turn. "Hi Renee," she called. "This gentleman wants to speak to you."

  The man turned and Renee gasped. She hadn't seen him in real life before but had seen videos and photographs of him. She could be wrong but was pretty sure that the guy was Professor Joseph Hardy. Goose pimples rose on her arm as thoughts rushed though her mind. There he was but it was too late for her to do anything except step forward.

  Hardy came towards her with a hand extended. "Ms Renee Stevens, I believe," he said in an educated almost snobby voice. "My name is Ernest Connolly. This good lady said that Aza and Sofia are staying with you. I'm a friend of the family. Perhaps you heard Aza speak of me?"

  Renee was taken back. Perhaps she was wrong and it wasn't Hardy after all but then again if it was, he wouldn't be likely to use his real name.

  "Yes I am Renee Stevens, Mr Connolly..."

  "Professor Connolly actually, but call me Ernest."

  Renee hid a grimace. Aza said Hardy was an arrogant man and even when using a pseudonym, he couldn't help but this show this trait.

  "I guess you're from Auckland University, Ernest," she said. "Aza told me she would be returning there in the spring semester but your name never came up."

  "Possibly not. I am fairly new at the university and arrived after she went on maternity leave. I was in the area and said I'd bring along a couple of documents she has to sign. They must be witnessed so could not be done on line." He smiled and glanced at the baby who was now asleep in the buggy. "Her little baby?" he asked in a casual voice.

  "No, mine," Renee lied and gave Sandra a slight frown in the hope that she wouldn't say anything. "I'm afraid Aza and her family have gone up to Craigieburn Valley Ski field for a couple of days. Took our dog Sam with them for he loves the snow." She purposely gave the name of a field that wasn't the closest. "I think they'll be back on Friday." She glanced at the sky. "That's if the heavy snow predicted doesn't arrive." She gave a chuckle. "This time last year we were isolated for a week."

  "You have an address there?" the man cut in.

  "No but I think it was one of the university lodges. It's early in the season so I don't imagine they'll be hard to find." She held the man's eyes. "You could leave the documents with me for her to sign. My partner and myself could be a witnesses."

  "No, no, that's fine. There are a couple of other things I need to speak to her about. How far is it to this ski field?"

  "About three quarters of an hour unless the snow comes in. Have you got chains for your Land Cruiser?"

  "Yes, I'm well equipped. Thank you for your assistance. I shall head off."

  He walked into the shop and came out again a few moments later with some food and a hot drink, stopped for a brief chat and drove away.

  "What was all that about, Renee?" Sandra asked. "Why did you say the baby was yours and send him off on a wild goose chase?"

  "Somebody Aza doesn't want to meet." Renee laughed. "He's just one of those persistent insurance agents trying to sell life insurance for the baby," she said. "They never take no for an answer. However if he comes back or drives by, could you send me a text message straight away."

  Sandra frowned. "It's a wonder he didn't try to sell you insurance for Alice, thinking that she was your baby and all that."

  Renee flushed. She was never any good at telling lies.

  Luckily Sandra never noticed and continued to chat. "There's something strange about the man, though."

  "And that is?"

  "When I was filling his Land Cruiser, I noticed something on the back seat. It looked like a gun at one end and a bow at the other. It was quite large with the gun bit about the size of a shotgun. Even had a telescopic site on it.""

  "Could it be a crossbow?" Renee asked.

  "That's it," Sandra replied. "I've never seen one before."

  Renee shuddered. Ian had told her that a case involving Hardy and a crossbow shooting had been reopened in Cana
da.

  MOMENTS LATER SHE CONTACTED Aza with her iPhone and warned her about Hardy and the crossbow.

  Aza sounded worried. "He's a ruthless man, Renee," she said. "When I visited the university a week ago about returning in the new semester, he almost threatened me."

  "Almost?"

  "It was sort of a suggestion that it would be advisable if I remained on maternity leave. There were two others at the meeting so it came across as advice. If I didn't know him better, I could have been tempted by his suggestion that I could continue to receive eighty percent of my salary if I didn't return for another year."

  "But you're determined to return?"

  "Yes. The pro-vice chancellor said I was welcome and he was anticipating valuable results when I continued my research."

  "And what did Hardy say about that?"

  "He wasn't there at that time. The pro-vice chancellor met me in his office after the main meeting. He said nothing about Hardy directly but I have a feeling they are keeping a close eye on him."

  Tyler came online. "I don't like those clouds, Renee so we're heading home and should be there in about an hour. Would you like me to call Ian about Hardy being in the district?"

  "No, I'll do it. There are still some blind spots in reception on your track."

  She called Ian and was immediately connected to him. He listened as she told him the news before adding his own.

  "I told you about my colleague Paige researching Hardy's history and what she discovered, didn't I?"

  "That possible murder when he worked in British Columbia?"

  "That's the one. There have been significant advances made, the RCMP have reopened the case and Paige believes they are about to approach our government to have him arrested here and extradited so he can stand trial in Vancouver."

  "So if we can't prove anything here, we can get him on this historic case?"