Page 79 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Wyl, Sam here. Mitzi’s attorney called. We need to go to Dallas to meet with him. I booked us on a Thursday flight from Lubbock. Call me if that won’t work. Otherwise, meet me at my office at 6:30 Thursday morning. Details en route.” The call disconnected. I frowned.
Rod came over and put his arm around my shoulders. “I heard that, and I can tell it disturbs you. Everything will be fine, Wyl. You told me Walt kept immaculate records. This is a fishing expedition by an overzealous lawyer and a money-hungry bitch.”
I chuckled at the reference to Mitzi. “I sure hope you’re right, Roddy. The money is not important, but the ranch is. This is our place.”
“I like this being our place.” Rod winked.
I pulled Rod close. “Yours and mine.”
After a brief kiss, I grabbed Rod’s hand and led him to the patio. After I lit the grill, we plopped into the chaises where Rod and Walt had reclined at Thanksgiving. That seemed like mere days ago.
“I’ll be gone Thursday. I’m not sure about overnight, but I’ll pack a carry-on.” I fidgeted with the label on my beer bottle.
Rod reached out a hand for me. “You need to show me what I need to do around here while you’re gone. I don’t want people saying,Wyl takes care of his half, but Rod’s half is shit!” He grinned at me.
I laughed and took Rod’s outstretched hand. I couldn’t get enough of the spark flowing between us. “The ranch hands will take care of the daily chores. You can check on the horses after you come home from the campus on Thursday. They like your apple treats.” I eyed Rod. “I hope you are at home here.
“My home is wherever you are.” Rod smacked me with an air kiss. “This is now my home too.”
The specter of Mitzi hung over my head like a storm cloud. Aggressive lawyers always had tricks up their sleeves. We shouldn’t need to deal with this during the holidays, but we had no choice.
Thursday afternoon, Sam and I met with Mitzi and her attorney, Jack “The Boulder” Cromwell. Earlier that morning, while we waited for our flight, I checked him out online. His ads featured a massive boulder falling onto a car, accompanied by his statement that he would crush objections and obtain the settlements his clients wanted. Later that morning, Sam and I stood in his lavish legal offices in a tall downtown Dallas skyscraper. I guessed he had many junior partners who did the dirty work.
“You may go in now.” Cromwell’s secretary opened one of the massive oak doors. The 20th-floor office had a panoramic view of downtown Dallas and to the north toward Highland Park and University Park, home to the moneyed.
Jack Cromwell stood from his massive desk and came forward, hand outstretched. “Mr. Collins, I’m pleased to meet a fellow legal professional.”
Sam extended his hand. “Mr. Cromwell. The pleasure is mine. May I introduce my client, Wyl Sterling?”
“Mr. Sterling,” Cromwell extended his hand. “A pleasure.”
“Mr. Cromwell,” I said, accepting the handshake but making no further comment.
Mitzi glared from a conference room table at one end of the roomy and ornate suite.
“Please, have a seat, and let’s work out the details.” Cromwell motioned toward the table. “I believe you know my client, Mitzi Sterling?”
“It has been a while.” Sam approached Mitzi and offered his hand. “We meet again, Miss Sterling.”
She offered a hand, as a lady wanting the back of her hand kissed. Sam grabbed and shook, not acknowledging her impudence. “That’s MRS. Sterling,” Mitzi corrected.
“Oh?” Sam set his briefcase on the table. “You married another Sterling?”
Mitzi rolled her eyes and sighed. “Divorcees can retain the title of missus. An urbane lawyer would know.”
“Perhaps, if the title works to her advantage.” Sam took a seat and motioned for me to do the same.
“But…” Mitzi started. Jack Cromwell held up his hand, stopping her from pursuing an argument that would serve no purpose in the day's proceedings.
“My client is seeking her rightful share of the estate of Mr. Walt Sterling,” Cromwell began. “She claims the full estate was not disclosed at the time of the divorce.”
“Mr. Cromwell,” Sam began, “I handled the divorce of Mr. Walt Sterling. We listed all assets under his control at the time. The claims of your client are without merit.”
Cromwell shook his head. “According to public records, the value of the ranch at the time of his death was much larger than the divorce documents indicate. How does your office justify that difference?”
“The divorce occurred before the deaths of Mr. Sterling’s parents. The ranch value you mention does not consider other property owners, including my client, at the time of the divorce.” Sam motioned to me. “Mr. Walt Sterling’s quarter interest in the ranch is based upon land values and other holdings in his sole possession at the time.”
“Nevertheless, my client is willing to pursue this lawsuit,” Cromwell said. “We will require detailed financial records.”
