Author Anon

“Gentlemen, thank you for coming,” says Jerome. “I’ve called you here because my client, Blanche Albright, would like to discuss her interests in the Golde company.”

“The family anticipated that Mrs. Albright would want to join the company,” says Jeffrey Brasser. “They have agreed to allow her to come on board without a fight.”

“Any stipulations?” asks Jerome.

“None. She will have her five percent and her daughter another five percent. Although they will be voting members, the family has asked that they reserve their rights until such time that they know the business better.”

“Sounds fair enough,” says Jerome. “But Mrs. Albright does not want to accept charity. She has a substantial sum from her inheritance of her father’s other businesses and would like to invest some of that in Golde, Inc. Sort of as a goodwill gesture that she is not going to take complete advantage of the situation.”

“Very fair on her part,” says Jeffrey. “Will she continue to use you as her lawyer? Or will she wish to have Brasser and Brasser represent her once she comes on board?”

“I will continue to be her personal lawyer but any business interests at Golde, Inc. will necessarily be handled by your group,” says Jerome. He turns to Michael. “As for you, Mr. Silverman, we need to discuss how Mrs. Albright’s appearance in the picture will affect what had been Mrs. Golde’s interests.”

“I have run the numbers,” says Michael. “When Julia made Golde, Inc. what it is today, they had redistributed the shares. Because of her contributions, she was given forty percent and the other sixty was split between the three brothers. At the time, none of them realized that Mrs. Albright was already holding ten percent. Anyhow, the distribution of shares should now be based on ninety percent of the company, rather than one hundred percent. That would give Julia thirty-six percent, Blanche Albright five percent, Lucy Golde five percent, and eighteen percent each to the three brothers.”

“Which means that William now holds fifty-four percent of the company, still making him the majority shareholder,” says Jeffrey.

“You understand that he holds most of that in trust for his children until certain requirements are met,” says Michael. “Also, I must inform you that Julia made another will just before her death. She stipulated, however, that this new will can only take effect under certain conditions or if and when certain events occur.”

“And she clearly defined those conditions or events?” asks Jeffrey.

“Yes.”

“And will Mrs. Albright’s joining the company affect it?” asks Jerome.

“No.”

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“Belle, can we talk?”

“Come on in, Nicholas. I’m surprised to see you.”

“Pleasant or unpleasant?” asks Nicholas, smiling.

Belle raises her eyebrows. “Neither. I hadn’t even considered it.”

“Everything right as rain here?” asks Nicholas.

“Yes. Everything’s in order. So, what have you come to talk about.”

He tilts his head to the right and considers her. “You know I worked with your brother and because of that, you trust me, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Could you trust me enough to tell me the truth and be straight about it?”

With a twinkle in her eyes and a smile on her lips, Belle says, “Of course.”

“So answer me honestly. Do you have something that Carl Black wants?”

“I already told you yes.”

“I don’t mean the sketches,” says Nicholas. “Was there something else in the case that you think he is after?”

“Maybe,” says Belle. “You asked me to be honest and I’m being honest. I don’t have the answer and until I get the answer, that’s all I can tell you.”

“What are you waiting for? How are you going to get the answer?”

“I’m waiting for Carl Black to approach me himself.”

“What?! Are you crazy? That could be dangerous.”

“Maybe, but I can take care of myself.”

“You’re insane. Do you think Carl is going to show his face around here when he knows that the police could come after him? Doesn’t the fact that he snuck up to your room tell you anything?”

“What if he really did come for the sketches? I can’t rule that out completely. The Black girls are none too full in the attic and may have talked him into going after them again. There was another object in the case, but I have been unable to determine its significance. If Carl were to approach me and ask for it back, then it was probably nothing important. If he schemes to get it back, it may be something important.”

“And like I said, he will not show his face in public.”

“He would if the police and you decide not to press any charges.”

He considers this. “True. But why do you want to do this alone? We have a special interest in Carl as well.”

Belle rolls her eyes. “First of all, as I told Gavin, I work alone. Secondly, Gavin is the most arrogant jerk I’ve ever met. Never mind that he is my best friend’s brother. Goodness or badness doesn’t always run through the whole family. Gavin is no writer. I don’t see him taking notes the way you do.”

“He’s a novelist,” Nicholas counters. “They don’t usually take notes that way. That’s why they sometimes lose their muse.”

“I’ll believe it when I see that book he’s promised delivered into my family’s hands.”

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Jensen is inspecting the living room after the maid finished cleaning it, when he spots an object on the coffee table. It is shaped like a small rectangular box with a button on it. He presses the button and when nothing happens, he presses again. Seeing nothing at all in it, he takes it away to be disposed.

Upstairs, the Black girls hear the buzzing. They look at their diagram. “It’s in the living room,” cries Leslie. “Hurry, she’s pressed it twice.” They rush out.

Meanwhile, Melanie is nervously preparing for bed, wishing William would hurry home. She settles into bed with a book.

“Can’t sleep?” asks Julia. “Maybe if you didn’t have a guilty conscience, you would sleep better.”

Melanie stares at the figure as it slowly approaches the bed.

“Go away!” cries Melanie. She reaches over to her nightstand and presses the button repeatedly.

“No! You go away! You’re an impostor and you know it! You don’t belong here! Your number will be up soon. It would be better for you if you left this place on your own two feet.”

As Julia stretches her arms out to her, Melanie screams and faints.

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Filed under: All That Glitters