Page 39 of Smuggler's Cove
“Whoa! What do you suppose made him do that?”
“We were at a cocktail party when I ran into one of my old professors from FIT. He came over and exclaimed, ‘Madison Taylor, is that you?’ I cringed and then said, ‘Wainwright.’ I tried to give him a sign that he should not continue the line of conversation, but you know how some people can be. Rehash the past. I immediately excused myself and grabbed someone else to talk to. Seth asked what that was about, and I said that the man was confused.”
Madison sat back against the leather seat. “With the latest publicity about having some of the money recovered and divided among the victims, Seth most likely did the math.”
Olivia wrinkled her nose. “So, wait. Do you think he originally started dating you to get company secrets and stumbled upon what he thought was an even bigger scoop? I wonder if he planned to sell the info to his boss or the press. Make a name for himself.” Olivia shook her head, still not quite believing what just happened.
Madison took a sip of wine. “It is almost difficult to comprehend that it has been almost thirty years since my father was arrested. I thought it was in my rearview mirror until the latest. And it reminded me of how much contempt I have for what he did to those families. You’d think I could just close that chapter and move on. I’ve had years to recover.”
“And you did it brilliantly. You created a very cool, sleek image with your all-white wardrobe of bow blouses, jumpsuits, slim skirts, cardigans, blazers, military jackets, trousers, tunics, and moto jackets.” Olivia smiled. “You’re the Tom Wolfe of fashion.” She was referencing the author ofThe Bonfire of the VanitiesandThe Right Stuff, who was always seen in a white suit and often a white fedora.
“You forgot about the white patent stilettos, which kill me, by the way.”
“I don’t suppose you’d trade them in for something more comfortable?”
“I have white boots.” Madison leaned in. “Besides, that is simply my work costume. You know I have a few other items in my closet that I wear as a disguise.”
“Ah, but which is the disguise? The lady in white, or the gal in the gray tracksuit, sneakers, and baseball cap?”
“You ask a very interesting question.” She held up her wineglass and clinked it against Olivia’s. “Right now, I am Madison, forty-eight, five feet seven inches, having dinner with my best friend.”
“Cin cin!” Olivia matched the clink.
Chapter Nine
The Inheritance
Present Day
It was Wednesday morning, and Madison was reviewing a couple of articles for the upcoming edition when Olivia stuck her head in Madison’s office. “Sidney is on the phone.”
Sidney Rothberg had retired from his regular law practice but maintained a few special clients. Over the years, he had grown particularly fond of Madison and Lincoln and was proud of how they had managed to pick themselves up and move ahead with their lives. It would have been traumatizing for most people, especially if you came from the lush and privileged. He had to give Gwen credit for that. She too was steely in all the fallout. She gave her testimony and never had to see her husband’s face again. Ever.
“Sidney! How nice to hear your voice. How are things? Everything alright? How is Edna?”
“Madison! So nice to hear your voice, as well. All is well in grandpa and grandma land. It is hard to keep up with three little ones, but I love it. I get to spoil the heck out of them, and then pack them up and send them home after an exhausting but wonderful day.”
“I know what you mean. When Giada was little, she could run me ragged. But three? I could barely keep up with one! Tell me, to what do I owe this pleasant call?”
“I anticipate this is going to come as a surprise to you. Remember your Uncle Kirby?”
“Of course. I was just thinking about him a few days ago. Why?”
“We were informed that your uncle left you his marina in his will.”
“His marina?” Madison was perplexed. She knew he did a lot of fishing work, but she could not recall anyone speaking about his marina. “I don’t understand.”
“You and your brother are now the proud owners of Kirby Taylor’s Marina in Smuggler’s Cove in Navesink, New Jersey. The town is nestled between the two rivers, the Navesink and the Shrewsbury, along the Jersey Shore.”
Sidney reminded her that the eponymous show was not an accurate depiction of the area.
He continued in defense of the often-derided state of New Jersey. “Did you know the people on the show were not even from the area? The locals thought the depiction of the Shore and their outrageous activities have given the residents and the beautiful coastline an unbelievably bad rap.”
“Sidney, you should be on the board of the chamber of commerce,” she teased. “You do not have to sell me on the idea.”
Sidney chuckled. “Many people have a preconceived notion of where I spent a lot of my summers as a kid.”
“Oh, Sidney, you have known me long enough to know I am not judgmental. Only when it comes to fashion.”
