Page 82 of The Facilitator: Part 2
“It’s not quite as simple as calling a bank and…” he started to say. Mrs. Collingsworth raised herhand.
“Whatever is needed, let’s get it done. Be sure to remove Daniel from all and everything I own or manage. He doesn’t exist as my son. I don’t ever want to see himagain.”
I wanted to wince and I was sure Gabriella did. Despite what he’d done, despite how appalling he had behaved over the years, to be dead to a parent was about the worst thing I couldimagine.
“What happens now?” Iasked.
“All accounts are frozen anyway, so he can’t get any more money from the trust. The trustees have been made aware of the forgery, and we'll be looking for new members. This should never have happened, and I hold both myself and Christopher responsible for that,” Mackenzie said, looking atChristopher.
“I resign my position immediately,” Christopher said inresponse.
“No, neither of you will. You are the only two I want to manage it all from now on. However, Mackenzie, you won’t know this, but you are also a beneficiary, so it might be best for you to step down. Put someone else in yourplace.”
“I don't want your…” Mackenziestarted.
“I don’t care for what you want; it’s my decision and it stands,” shereplied.
“I’ll have a new will drawn up by tomorrow afternoon. Perhaps Alex would like to witnessit?”
“Yes, we won’t be leaving for Boston until this is resolved,” Alex said. He then turned to Mackenzie. “I’m sorry. I’ve spoken to them; everything is covered overthere.”
Mackenzie nodded. “I guess, at the moment, there is nothing more we can do here. Christopher, leave the bank transfer to me. I have a man over there who can help. Tomorrow, Daniel and Addison will know about the government contract, but I might have a pre-press release sent to all shareholders, giving them fair warning of the news. It’s going to blow up tonight,” hesaid.
Gabriella took a deep breath in. “Call the police to get an order to keep him away, or whatever it’s called. I don’t want Daniel near the house. He threatened me at my party and I fear for my life. Lauren witnessed that,” shesaid.
We all looked at her. She gave a very subtle shrug of her shoulders and a slywink.
“Yes, I saw that,” I added, praying I actually wouldn’t have to give astatement.
Mackenzie nodded and instructed Christopher to attend to that. Mrs. Collingsworth was a very well-respected woman, so I was under no illusion she wouldn’t be looked after by the local law enforcement. We followed Mackenzie’s lead and stood when he did. I forwarded the emails from Jerry to Christopher, then closed the lid and gathered thenotes.
“The shit’s going to hit the fan, isn’t it?” I whispered, as we left theoffice.
“Big time,” Mackenzie replied. “Bigtime.”
Mrs. Collingsworth gave me a hug. Despite her insisting I called her Vivienne I still alternated. Mackenzie told Alex he would call him soon, once he’d dealt with the bank end of the matter. He was yet to explain how he was going to do that, and no oneasked.
Mackenzie held my arm as we crossed the road to his car. We didn’t speak again until we were on our way backhome.
“I still can’t believe two things. That they got married, and he was able to get past the board without anyone questioning him,” Isaid.
“My exact thoughts, which is why I also know there was someone on the inside who helpedhim.”
I looked over to him, but he kept his eyes on theroad.
“You didn’t want to mention thatearlier?”
“Not until I know who. I don’t believe it to be Christopher, so that leaves Father Dickhead. That’s going to upset Vivienne; she is very fond of him. He also happens to be her brother-in-law.”
“Jesus wept. Hang on, Addison is their cousin so, is Addison’s dad Dickhead’s brother or wasit…”
“Addison’s mother, who divorced her husband years ago and left, is Dickhead’s sister, also sister to Vivienne’shusband.”
“It’s all so bloody complicated,” I said, slumping down in my seat. “So this secondtrust…?”
“I had no idea about it. She’s a sneaky one is Vivienne. I guess I’ll discover more in the next day or so. In the meantime, we need to figure out what to do aboutJerry.”
“He said he’s skint, you know, he has lost all his money,” I said, giving an explanation of the wordskint.
