The Burlington Manor Affair

She smiled. I’ve grown up, she realized. I really can fight for my man.

* * *

IT WAS LATE, but Rex had one last thing to set in motion before he could leave the office. He picked up the phone and rang the family’s solicitor.

It was time to play his trump card.

“Chris, I’m sorry to disturb you after hours, but there’s something I want you to do for me. It involves drawing up a contract.”

“Name it. I know that you’ve been through a lot recently. I read about Olivia Fordyce’s handiwork up at the manor.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“I met her once, years ago,” Chris said rather awkwardly, “and I thought she was trouble then. Told your father as much. I’m sorry it’s affected you and Carmen...your dad would be sorry, too.”

Rex couldn’t answer that directly because the comment made him want to demand why Chris hadn’t mentioned Olivia before, but he was first and foremost a professional solicitor. That came before being a friend to the family. “The shadows are long in our family, or so it seems. But I think I’ve found a way to deal with her, above and beyond what’s in line for her courtesy of the Crown Courts.”

“What have you got in mind?”

“I believe she was involved in Sylvia Shelby’s death. I’ve visited her in prison and she didn’t deny it, but she won’t give me a confession. I need that confession for Carmen’s peace of mind and I think I’ve got a bargaining chip that could work.”

“How can I help?”

“I need you to draw up a contract that you can take to her acting solicitor. In exchange for her full story about the circumstances surrounding Sylvia Shelby’s death, I will give Jason Fordyce part of the estate my father left me.”

“Goddamn it, Rex, are you sure about that?”

“She won’t budge.” Rex summarized the situation with Olivia’s health and her lack of concern about her own destiny. “She knows I’ve got a private investigator tracking down the so-called witness, who at the time was seeing Olivia’s eldest son.”

Chris inhaled sharply. “That’s pretty damning in itself.”

“It is, but even if we get a statement I’ve got to offer Olivia something substantial to admit it, something that represents the recognition she wanted for her sons. Charles, well, I’ve got nothing but disgust for him. He’s her willing henchman. But I believe Jason was largely innocent of her real intentions. I’m thinking that if we offer Jason the property in the Channel Islands, part of Dad’s estate, it gives him a chance for a new life...somewhere else.”

“I catch your drift.”

“How soon can you do it?”

“I can have the paperwork drawn up within the hour, then it’ll just be a matter of getting in touch with her solicitor in the morning. No saying how long Olivia will sit on it, but we’ll make it sound as tempting as possible.”

“Do you think her solicitor will be comfortable presenting her with this option?”

“It’ll result in another charge against her, but in my professional opinion if she reveals her involvement in Sylvia Shelby’s death, a confession would be better in the long run. If the link between her son and the witness is likely to be mentioned and a witness statement is also a possibility, then I’ll make sure the solicitor takes that into account.”

“Thank you. Keep me informed.”

When he put down the phone, he prayed it would work.

While he’d been on the landline, three text messages had appeared on his mobile phone. He could see that they were from his staff, the team of three that made up the rest of Slipstream. Their reactions were important. He opened Lance’s first.

You better make this happen. Amy has already told the kids. We’re both delighted about what this might mean for their future. If it goes ahead, count us in.

Rex smiled and nodded. The scheme felt ambitious, and he wasn’t entirely sure of it, but there was a feel-good factor about that response that made him believe that anything was possible. The second message that had come in was from Ayo.

I’m not sure, man. Sounds good but I got my people here. I’ll check it out, but I need to be sure it’s right for me.

Ayo was the one with the happening London life, the single man in the city. Rex understood that he didn’t want to commit as yet. If it came to fruition and Ayo didn’t want to make the move, Rex vowed he would find a good opportunity for him elsewhere. The final message was from Jerry.

The wife is in tears! Look what you’ve done to me, Rex. She says it’s the next best thing to winning the lottery. I guess this means it’s a yes. ;)