Page 76 of Charlotte's Reckoning
“I don’t know,” Charlotte admitted. “I suppose my first step is hiring a lawyer.”
“With what? They froze all your funds.”
“Not all of them, but I’m afraid an attorney will take most of what I’ve got.” She glanced down the street. “The post office is the next block over. I have a letter to post. Maybe someone there can recommend an attorney.”
They walked in silence, her mind racing. Without cash, she couldn’t pay her staff, nor could she afford the alcohol delivery. Lost in thought, Charlotte nearly collided with a woman exiting Mrs. Mayhew’s Dress Shoppe.
“I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, jumping back and nearly knocking Violet over. Thankfully, she recovered more quickly than the heavily pregnant woman might have.
“No worries. I’m fine,” Janelle Jackson assured her. “I didn’t expect to run into you in town again so soon.” Her gaze shifted to Violet, and she smiled. “You brought reinforcements, I see. Good for you.”
“Nothing is good for me, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, dear. What’s happened now?”
“The man at the bank was rude,” Violet answered for her. “He refused to give Charlotte her money.”
“Why?” Janelle asked.
“Because she has the wrong parts between her—”
“Violet!” Charlotte interrupted before her friend said something completely vulgar on the public boardwalk. “The manager wasn’t rude, but he spouted a bunch of unfair policies and laws. Suffice it to say, I went into the bank thinking I had money to run my business but came out with nothing.”
“I’m not surprised.” Janelle frowned, angry on her behalf. “That’s what’s so maddening about this time.”
“The time is 10 a.m.,” Violet advised. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Silly me, I meant ‘town.’” Janelle chuckled tightly. “Women have the vote, but we’re far from equal, especially regarding money and property. It’s nearly impossible for single women, and married women have practically no rights; they all belong to their husbands. A hundred years from now, it won’t have changed much.” She hesitated then added, “I’m, uh, guessing.”
“Your passion shows,” Charlotte commented. “Perhaps you should run for office. A woman could get some of these ridiculous rules changed.”
“Sorry. One politician in the family is plenty,” Janelle stated. “But I have an advantage. I have my husband’s ear and can share my thoughts on women’s rights every chance I get. For now, back to your problem. You need your money.”
“Yes, except with Fenton gone, his funds have to go through the courts, something the bank manager called probate. Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
“I have, and where I’m from, it can be a very long process. Months, sometimes years,” she explained. “And it gets complicated if a lot of family or debtors come forward to make claims. It’s not just bank accounts, Charlotte, but property as well.”
Her heart sank into her already knotted-up stomach. “But half of Red Eye is mine. I have the paperwork.”
“That should speed things up. You’ll need a good lawyer. Mr. Bennett is the Jackson family attorney. He’s bailed a few of us out of trouble recently.”
“Do you think he’ll take my case?”
“I’m sure he will. Tell him I sent you.” A smile curled her lips as she suggested, “Or I can ask the mayor to intervene.”
“But isn’t he still on Sheriff Walker’s posse, hunting down Fenton’s killer?”
Janelle stepped closer, laying a hand gently on her arm. “Aaron got home late last night. It’s over, Charlotte. Thorn is dead.”
“Oh, thank heavens,” she breathed, her shoulders slumping and becoming weak in the knees at the news. Violet slid an arm around her waistto keep her from falling down. “I’m all right. It’s just that he’s haunted me for so long.”
“We’re all relieved. And they did it so fast. It’s only four days since the funeral.”
“The sheriff’s hunch paid off, it seems.” Janelle suddenly snapped her fingers. “That’s what you need—a man.”
“Uh, your pardon, Mrs. Jackson. We already have more than we want,” Violet deadpanned.
Color flooded Janelle’s cheeks. “That’s not what I meant. I was thinking more of a business manager. Someone to deal with bank managers and shop owners and do all the ‘manly business’ for you.”
