Page 64 of A Family Affair
Chuck had really pushed his luck with Tristan over the past couple of days, fobbing him off with excuses about trips to Rhyl with Clarissa and accompanying Matheson the estate manager to a cattle auction. Who the bloody hell did he think he was? Certainly not the lord of the manor yet so he could stop acting like it!
And he was late. Which was also bloody damn rude.
Tristan was in the dining room at Chamberlain where horse-features had left him earlier. In her snooty tone she’d informed him that Clarissa was having a nap, that she was off out, and that Chuck would be along shortly. Didn’t even offer him refreshments before she slammed the door shut, and now he was stuck in a draughty room tapping his feet.
There was a lot riding on this meeting, and he had to find out how the land lay and, if necessary, enlist his father’s help. Surely Clarissa would listen to her oldest legal advisor. Tristan bad-temperedly checked his phone for messages and was relieved to have none from Ion. Or his dealer, who was getting a bit arsey about the money Tristan owed him.
While Diana bemoaned the surging price of good virgin olive oil thanks to the stupid Russians, if she knew how much a few grams of cocaine had gone up her eyes would water. Never mind if his dealer ran out of patience. Tristan’s little habit was costing him a small fortune and his rainy-day fund was sorely depleted. Tristan gulped down the involuntary whoosh of bile that made his throat burn.
Finally, the sounds of footsteps in the hallway. The unmistakeable and unforgettable cowboy boots. Tristan straightened his back and flipped a file and pretended to be reading the contents when Chuck walked in and closed the door behind him.
Best foot forward old chap. Don’t mess this up.‘Chuck old man, good to see you. Please, take a seat so we can catch up. I must say I feel rather neglected. I hoped we could spend some time together on the town like we planned.’ Tristan reached out his hand and after a brief but friendly handshake, pulled out a chair at the table and indicated for Chuck to sit.
‘I’m sorry about that but I’ve been getting to know the estate and Clarissa of course. There’s a lot to see and I would’ve felt impolite, seeing as she’s been so hospitable and all.’ Chuck took a seat and as he did, placed a white envelope on the table.
Ignoring it, Tristan got down to business. Maybe Clarissa was sending Chuck on errands to the post office but whatever, there were important matters to tactfully discuss. ‘Never mind. I just thought I’d pop by and see how you are. I feel rather responsible for you, seeing as I was the one who brought you here, so wanted to check you’re happy and all that.’
‘Yep, fine and dandy, thank you kindly.’ Chuck then stared at Tristan and waited.
‘Right, jolly good. Most reassuring.’ A period of awkward finger tapping on the polished dining table followed where Tristan grappled with his temper and how to proceed. ‘And has Clarissa mentioned anything about signing her will? It’s all ready to go. She just has to say the word…’
Chuck interrupted. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t asked her. We don’t talk about things like that and I ain’t gonna mention it, that’s for sure.’
‘Oh, well that’s rather disappointing but not to worry…’ Tristan literally wanted to scream.
‘But she did give me this. I thought I should show it to you. Get your advice.’ Chuck tapped the envelope.
‘What is it?’ Tristan prayed it was a family heirloom of immense value because that would be an excellent sign.
Chuck answered, ‘A DNA testing kit.’
‘A what?’ This was a very bad sign. It meant Clarissa didn’t trust Chuck and he’d said something stupid.
‘DNA kit. It’s to see if I’m really related to her. You have to take a swab…’
‘Yes, I know what it is, Chuck. But why has she asked you to take one. I’ve provided her with a copy of your birth certificate and enough paperwork to make a giant origami horse, for pity’s sake!’
‘Search me.’ Chuck shrugged. ‘I don’t mind doin’ one. It’ll only take a few weeks to get the results. I think she said three to twelve, somethin’ like that anyways.’
Tristan had that awful feeling again, the one he had when he’d spoken with Ion and the kinky-whipping-desk came back to haunt him. He knew full well that ancestry results could take many weeks, time he simply did not have, and Chuck’s casual attitude was really pissing him off. Maybe there was a fast-track option, he’d have to check. He was sure there would be, but it’d cost. Didn’t everything!
Stay calm. Keep Chuck on side.‘Okay, not to worry. I’ll make some enquiries and see if we can’t speed this up a little. Perhaps we could do it now and then I’ll post it off today. Save you a job and give the lab a ring. There’ll be a number inside.’
‘I think Miss Jennifer is going to do that, thanks all the same. And Miss Clarissa is takin’ a nap. There’s no rush.’ Chuck took the envelope and placed it on his knee like a five-year-old who didn’t want to share. ‘And if you don’t mind me saying, Mr Henderson, you seem mighty keen to get the will signed and it’s makin’ me kinda edgy. Is there something I don’t know about? Miss Clarissa isn’t ill, is she? And she’s keepin’ it from me?’
Tristan felt the nerve in his cheek pulse. Never had he hated anyone as much as he did in that moment. Not even Diana’s mother, and that was saying something. Tristan sucked in and prayed for patience. ‘Not that I know of.’
‘Phew, you had me worried there, so if that’s all I’ll be on my way.’
Tristan dithered. Should he level with Chuck? It was a risk because he seemed rather fond of Clarissa but then again, what man would choose a doddering old woman he hardly knew over getting his hands on millions of dollars. And Chuck had zilch. No family. No home. Nothing. Tristan loved a good game of poker and in that moment, decided to show his hand.
Lowering his voice, just in case horse-features hadn’t buggered off out like she said, Tristan leant a little closer to Chuck. ‘Okay, I’m going to level with you. Between us, I have some very wealthy contacts in the business world and one of them is extremely interested in purchasing Chamberlain Manor. Which means, my friend, once the estate is yours I will be able to broker a very favourable deal and make you a ridiculously wealthy man. The problem is, we need to act quickly before my buyer moves on. He won’t wait forever.’
At this Chuck looked confused but what could Tristan expect? The man was probably inbred. Still, after rubbing his chin and having a bit of a think, the Kentucky Kid found his voice. ‘So, I’m guessing there’s somethin’ in this for you, and that’s why you seem so keen. Am I right?’ Chuck gave Tristan a sly wink.
Fair play,thought Tristan. At least the idiot was catching up. So he answered as honestly as he was able, ‘Well naturally. I’ve negotiated my commission and bonuses et cetera but none of this matters unless we get this will signed.’
There, that sounded feasible. The moron should understand that concept.
