Page 4 of Black Dog

“After you’ve done it for a while, you may come to enjoy it,” Stone said. “Many people do. If not, then you will simply have to live within your newfound means.”

“I’ll sue,” Eddie said.

“On what grounds? Search your legal education for an answer.”

“I’m entitled.”

“Entitlement is not grounds. You are entitled only to what your stepmother says you are, and she has spoken. Incidentally, you are to pack up your personal possessions and move out of her house within seventy-two hours. I suggest a room at the Yale Club temporarily and a storage unit for your excess possessions. And, if I may put this in a Dickensian manner, you are never again to darken her door—or any other door where she is present, on pain of ending the income stream from your trust. Do you have any questions?”

Eddie thought about it and shook his head.

“Good,” Stone said, handing him an envelope. “Here is your first month’s check, and another to cover your immediate rehousing.”

“Who is the trustee?” Eddie asked.

“I am,” Stone said, “and only I. Any requests will be heard by me and not your stepmother.” He pressed a button, and Joan appeared with Eddie’s coat. Eddie followed her out.

“Call me a taxi,” Eddie demanded sullenly.

“Okay, you’re a taxi.” She pushed him out the front door and locked it behind him, then she returned to Stone’s office. “How’d the Black Dog take it?” she asked.

“I think he was too stunned to protest much.”

“It was generous of you to add an amount equal to his income.”

“Your aunt rather liked that, too. I hope we’ve heard the last of Eddie.”

“Don’t count on it,” Joan said.

THREE

Stone regarded his secretary. “You noticed that you were not a witness to the signing of your aunt’s will?”

“Of course.”

“Do you know why?”

“I presume it was because I am an heir.”

“A good presumption. Now, your aunt Annetta seemed reluctant in the extreme to chat about her stepson.”

“I’m not surprised. He has caused her a great deal of pain.”

“Perhaps you will enlighten me on the nature of that pain. It would be helpful if I could know what to expect from him.”

“Your worst fears realized,” she replied.

“Specifics, please.”

“You will have noticed that, in her will, there are bequests for the rearing and education of three children.”

“I did. I had supposed that Eddie was her only stepchild.”

“He is. The three children are what might be called her step-grandchildren.”

“I take it that Eddie is heterosexual.”

“He is and, apparently, perpetually priapic.”

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