Page 86 of Mail Order Splash

“You’re bluffing. No one paid anyone to do such things and you can’t prove it.”

“You’ll note the picture of Mr. Hamling signing a confession with my head of security. It would take me five seconds to release that to any number of judges as well as to the media who, by the way, are right outside.” He paused, I was sure, for effect. “I also have detailed information that you were directly involved with all of it. So, we can do this the easy way by your dropping the fake fines and liens, signing off on the revision, as well as signing the enclosed letter stating we are free to do as we wish for however long it takes.”

“I will not. That is blackmail.” He banged his fist on the table.

“It was a peace offering, one that you do not want, apparently.”

“I won’t let you do this project. The city has other plans for that land.”

“I’m sorry it has come to this, Edward. The Hawthornes have many projects here but, if you will not accept the peace offering, then I have no other choice but to take you all down.”

“You don’t know who you are dealing with. I have the mayor and the senator on speed dial.”

“As do I. We fund their campaigns. I spoke with both of them on my way in today. They sounded excited about this venture.”

“You went over my head without even speaking with me? That is underhanded.”

“Edward, it’s what I do and you, of all people, should know not to push me up against a wall. You’re not a good person.” He closed his briefcase. “I’ll see you in court.”

I watched his every movement. He nodded to Asher and August at one point near the end, then went back to the other man.

“Kellan, we have worked together for years. I know your whole family. You would do this over a broken down place like that?”

“That place is a wealth of knowledge for the public and my sister-in-law owns it, which mean she has full Hawthorne backing. You should have taken the offer before it was too late.”

“Give me the papers. I’ll sign them, it’s not worth all of this.” He grabbed a pen and scribbled his signature. “Are you happy now?”

“No, I’m not happy. I’m disgusted at what you did and I did tell you you should have taken the offer. You know I can do this without your approval. I can’t stop it now.”

“What do you mean, ‘stop it’? What do you want now?” He yelled as we all began leaving. “What now?”

Oh, my God! He is a real life hero. I want to watch him more.

“Kleine, we have to go with the family.” Dalton urged me to go with them.

Cameras were clicking in our faces, people were shouting, just like out of a movie. We were taken through the crowd by men I hadn’t seen before, then the limo zoomed off.

“Holy cow, brother, remind me to stay on your good side.” Sawyer poured himself a water. “I don’t think he should be allowed to get away with harming animals.”

“He won’t. I never intended to let him. The media was notified of the allegations approximately twenty minutes ago.”

“So, you pulled a bluff to get the papers signed?” Sawyer asked.

“No, he was going down either way. Only thing I would have done if he was nice was not completely destroy his life. Bond found some interesting information on him. He’s not a nice man.”

“Was getting him to sign illegal?” I asked a little worried.

“No, the whole thing was recorded. He won’t want to talk about it because he knows there is more damaging information at my fingertips.”

“I’m hungry after all of that.” Asher’s stomach growled. “What’s for dinner?”

“I thought we should go to the seaquarium before it gets late.” Victoria replied first.

“Aw man, I need food. Is there food?”

“There is usually a bucket of chum and one of shrimp,” Dalton replied.

All of the chatter of them talking was lost on me. They had won a battle, but I had won my family’s legacy. All of the hopes and dreams over the years of medical school, all the things my granddad had wanted to do with the place, they were going to be a reality.

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