Author Anon

“Mr. Steele, I know what an awful load this will be for you,” says Michael. “If you need help of any kind, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”

“I think we’ve got sufficient help lined up right now,” says Frank. “But I’ll keep your offer in mind. After all, we can never predict what may happen.”

As Frank gets into his car to take Nicholas home, Amanda comes up to Michael. “Having a fit of conscience?” she asks.

“Why do you question my motives?” Michael asks.

“I can’t help wondering why you were in such a rush to get rid of Mr. Cole and now offer to help,” says Amanda.

“Again, I will reiterate that I was not trying to rush him out,” says Michael. “But now I wonder why I am trying to make amends to you for your misinformed preconceived notions about me.”

“My notions are neither misinformed nor preconceived,” says Amanda. “They are based on my observations of your actions and behaviors at each of our meetings.”

“Have you considered that my behavior may be misinterpreted by you?” asks Michael.

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“Dad, we haven’t had much time to sit down as a family and discuss mom’s death,” says Tracy. “It seems we’ve all been too busy with our own lives and hardly see each other anymore. I don’t want you to feel we’ve abandoned you.”

“I’m doing fine, Tracy,” says William.

“Really?” asks Tracy, scrutinizing his face. “We haven’t seen you much and we missed you at Thanksgiving. We were afraid to ask, but what have you been doing with yourself?”

William waves impatiently. “I’ve been busy.”

“But where do you go at nights?” asks Tracy. “If you’re drowning your sorrows somewhere, we’d like to help you.”

“I’m not drowning in my sorrows,” says William. “For your information, I feel very well. In fact, I’ve been feeling very happy recently. But you keep mentioning this ‘we’. Does this mean you have all been discussing me?”

“It’s only natural we’d be concerned when we hardly see you,” says Tracy, a little taken aback. “I’m glad you’re not grieving anymore, although I must say I’m surprised. What has brought you so much happiness recently?”

William hesitates. “I don’t want to discuss it right now.”

“But-”

“Please, Tracy. I want to be alone right now.”

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“Mr. Dimmerling, I’m Detective Daze of the Brighton Police,” says Cody. “I’d like to have a word with you.”

“What about?” asks Floyd, nervously.

“About the attack on Mr. Cole at Golde, Inc.,” says Cody.

“I don’t know nuttin’,” says Floyd.

“Well, I’d still like to ask a few questions,” says Cody.

“Do I have to answer them?” asks Floyd.

“It depends on what you’d like me to know,” says Cody.

“Do I need a lawyer?” asks Floyd.

“Do you feel the need for one?” asks Cody.

“I don’t know. I don’t like the police. They just want to trap me and put me in jail,” says Floyd.

“Why’s that?” asks Cody.

“Beats me,” says Floyd. “I try to leave everybody alone.”

“It’s well known that you get drunk a lot, isn’t it?” asks Cody.

“What’s wrong with that? I ain’t hurt nobody yet when I was drunk,” says Floyd.

“Maybe not, but it affects your work doesn’t it?” asks Cody.

“I don’t drink on the job,” says Floyd.

“But you were fired because of it, isn’t that true?” asks Cody.

Floyd hesitates. “I don’t know. They never told me.”

“When you were questioned by the Goldes after Mr. Cole was attacked, weren’t you drunk?” asks Cody.

“Yeah, but I wasn’t drunk that night!” says Floyd, angrily.

“So tell me what happened that night,” says Cody. “If you weren’t drunk, you should be able to remember.”

Floyd is silent.

“We happen to know that you were questioned alongside Mr. Redd by the Golde brothers,” says Cody. “We also know that you were seen meeting Mr. Redd last night.”

“Don’t I have the right to see anyone I want?” asks Floyd.

“Yes, you do. But why were you so furtive in meeting him?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” says Floyd. “And I don’t want to answer any more questions. You’re just trying to trap me.”

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“Mom, Dad, Alex offered me a proposal to merge our two stables,” says Tara. “I wanted your opinion.”

Sylvia and John look at each other, then back at Tara. “Well,” says Sylvia. “We acquired the stables for you when you were old enough to ride. Although the others have learned to ride, only you have remained serious with it.”

“We’ve always considered the stables yours even though we controlled the management of it,” says John. “When we handed over the reins, we left it entirely up to you.”

“You mean I can do as I wish with it?” asks Tara.

“Yes,” says John. “If you hadn’t stuck with it, we would have sold it years ago.”

“Do as you wish,” says Sylvia. “It might not be a bad idea. Now I’ve got the ball to organize and I’ll need Ashley’s help.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters