Page 89 of Bittersweet Legacy

He shrugged, looking at the road. “We’re about to be family, you’ll be my brother-in-law in a few months. High School is almost over, you’re going to Cornell, I’m going to Brown. I think it’s time to grow up and leave the petty boys’ games behind.”

I almost believed him –almost… until he reached up and pulled on his left ear lobe. That was his tell – he was lying.

“Uh huh,” I confirmed, turning on my seat as we speed along the deserted road to the private airfield 30 minutes away. What aggravated me the most were the missing puzzle pieces, I was a calculating man, I was a master conspirator, always a few steps ahead in the game and laughing at the poor clueless puppets left behind but here I couldn’t see the endgame, the drive behind Archibald’s actions. I knew his father was much too full of himself to play any tricks on me, in his mind, I was so beneath him. No, Archibald did convince his father to make me a signatory. What was missing was the purpose of his trick? What did he have to win by making me gain some legitimacy within his legacy?

I turned toward him as he glanced at his watch.

“Are we late?”

He glanced at me with confusion. “No, he will be landing in the next 20 minutes or so.”

I nodded, and spent the rest of the drive in silence, both lost in our own head, me trying to figure out Archibald’s next move.

When we made it to the airstrip the plane had just landed. Archibald looked at his watch again as the plane door opened and his father stepped down, his phone to his ear.

“Who are you calling?” I narrowed my eyes at the apprehension in Archibald’s voice.

William gestured us to the plane. “I need you to approve that flight plan now,” he said to who I assumed was the flight controller. “Do you know who I am?” he barked, and I rolled my eyes as I followed Archie into the plane, taking a seat across from him.

“What are you doing?” I asked as Archibald looked at his watch once more.

“What do you mean?” he countered with irritation, touching his earlobe again.

I didn’t have the time to press as his father walked back into the cabin. “15 minutes before departure.” He sighed, sitting beside Archibald. “What I don’t understand is why Mr Ducros didn’t call me directly?”

“Mr Ducros?” I asked as Archibald pulled at his ear and looked at his watch once more.

“The bank director,” William shook his head. “Do you even know how much money I have in his bank?”

Archibald looked at his watch again. “You can ask him when we get there.”

It felt like a freight train as realisation hit me, Archibald was not trying to trick me – he was trying to get me away, me and William.

“Maybe you should call him, to make sure it’s not a mistake.” I tried, and knew I’d hit the bullseye when Archibald paled, pulling on his ear again.

“Why would he?” Archibald scoffed, hiding his discomfort with derision. “Why would William Forbes call him? It’s beneath him.”

I smiled at him as William eyed us curiously, I straightened in my seat. “You’re correct. He is William Forbes and I find it hard to believe that the director wouldn’t take the time to call him.” I frowned, pretending to be confused, hoping William would take the bait – and based on the way he was detailing me I was pretty sure he would. “I find it hard to believe that William would be anything other than a VIP customer for that bank but-” I shrugged, “maybe I’m wrong.”

William’s assessing look turned into a scowl and I knew I had won. That man’s ego was his downfall.

“I think Caleb is right, Ducros wouldn’t be so dismissive.”

Archibald looked at his watch again. “Listen father, the Pilot just walked in, we’re ready to go I-”

William pursed his lips at Archibald’s defiance, it was not a habit and I couldn’t help but wonder what could trump Archibald’s loyalty to his father, I was a little apprehensive to find out.

William raised his hand, stopping his son. “The pilot works for me, I do as I please, Archibald – you’d better remember that if you want to avoid any disappointment. I will call Ducros and we will leave soon after.”

When William stood up and went to the office at the back of the plane, Archibald glared at me.

“Nobody asked for your opinion,” he lashed.

I smirked. “You wanted me here Archibald, didn’t you?”

“I-” He checked his watch again and shook his head. “Whatever,” he added with a sigh of defeat.

“What is so time-sensitive, huh?”

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