In the House On Lakeside Drive (33 page)

“Remy, it means that you and Sam weren't supposed to survive either. Dayton was planning on killing you.” Evan said this with a stony expression, very cold and intimidating. It put visible chills down the youth's spine.

“That's what the term
reckless endangerment
means. It means that Cooper knew his actions would cause someone to die. He knew it, and he didn't care. He did what he wanted anyway.”

“Shit,” Remy breathed. “But…but you said…you said if I died, he would lose all the money.”

“I don't think
Cooper
planned on killing you, but it's very likely Spaulding did,” the lawyer explained. “You're right—in order to gain access to the money, he needed you alive. Sam and Josh, though, they were expendable.”

“Expendable?”

“I mean, they didn't matter to him. He didn't care if they lived or died.”

“That wasn't the vibe I got off them,” Evan said. “He said something about wanting at least one of them, other than Remy.”

“Yeah,” Remy said, remembering. “Something about a carrot.” He made a face. “Which didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but it did to Sam.”

“The carrot and stick theory.” Vendell rolled his already wide eyes. “Damn. Now it's getting clearer.”

“I...I don't understand,” Remy said. “What did he mean by a carrot?”

“There's an old theory that says a horse is better lured by a carrot than a stick,” the little man explained. “The carrot is something the person wants: an object, maybe money, or even the promise of something, like someone not getting hurt. The stick, on the other hand, is something the person doesn't want: taking something away, losing money, or the promise of something bad happening.”

Realization dawned on Remy's face. “You mean, if I didn't go with him, a-and stay, he would have those people hurt Sam?”

“Or Josh. It's likely they planned on using both of them at first.”

Evan swore under his breath. “It's likely he planned on keeping Remy in one place and Sam and Josh locked up in another, just so he'd have complete control over Remy.”

The thought of being his uncle's
prisoner
, treated infinitely worse than as a mere unwanted
charge
, was dwelling heavily on the young man. His eyes turned toward the floor, and he began to visibly withdraw from the conversation. “Remy? Remy!” Evan said, startling the youth. “Don't. Don't you dare. Sam's fine. Cooper's not ever getting near him.”

“But…but they got Josh!”

The room went silent as the two older adults mulled over that fact. “Yes, Remy,” Evan said slowly, “they did. But Josh, in the end, was trying to save Sam's life. As strange and messed up as it sounds, Josh made that call, not anyone else. He died doing something…something heroic.”

“Because he loved Sam.”

“And you, Remy. Don't ever forget that. He loved you too.” Evan's voice threatened to break. “The bastard gets to rot, and it's still too good for him.”

“I understand he's pushing for a trial,” the lawyer said. “Cooper seems adamant that he's not at fault in the Long boy's death. I don't know how his lawyer thinks he's going to get him off on the other charges.”

“Fantastic,” Evan said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. He chuckled darkly. “Just one more way he can torture his nephew. Make him testify in open court.” He looked at his young tenant. “I'll be there to say something, when that time comes. I'm ready for him.”

“The Masons are all looking to plead out, from what I understand. Especially Jack Mason. They have him dead to rights on the murder of Josh Long, and it's highly likely he's responsible for those bodies they found in that basement.” At Evan's questioning glance, he replied, “Otter Lake is a small town. News travels fast.”

“Don't I know it. I haven't been able to get work since everything happened.” Evan sighed. “I knew one day it would catch up with me. I thought something like that might happen.”

“You thought someone would hurt us?” Remy asked.

“No. I thought they would hurt
me,
but never in a million years did I think anyone else would be hurt. No matter what anyone says, all of this started because of mistakes I made in Carolina. This is why you need to think about consequences, Remy. Likely as not, it's one of the things your folks were trying to avoid you running into with your inheritance. Money can make people do some pretty stupid things.”

A dirty blond ponytail waggled as Remy nodded. “Yeah, it does. I hope Mr. Parker can find out some more about all this.”

“You mean Frank Parker? Vendell asked.

“Yeah,” Remy said. “He said to tell you I say it's okay for him to ask you some questions.”

“Lawyer-client privilege,” Evan explained. “Frank told him about that.”

“I know Frank, and he was a hell of an investigator in his day. I'm surprised he's still doing it, at his age.”

“Said it was fun,” Evan said, shaking his head. “He likes the kids. I think that's the main reason he's doing it. Plus, there's the curiosity eating at him. Me too, tell the truth. It's not like we'll ever get a straight answer from Cooper.”

“No, I don't think that's likely,” Vendell said.

“One other thing,” Remy said, standing up to stretch. “You said I could name certain people to get my money if I die.”

“I'm confident you aren't going to die yet, Remy,” his lawyer said.

“But I could,” the younger man argued. “Look what happened.”

“Fair point.”

“So, can I write one of those things? You know, saying I can give my money to Sam? Maybe Evan and Miss Rachel, if they're still around?”

“We're not
that
old,” Evan laughed. “But seriously, are you sure?”

“Well, I can change it later, if I want, right?”

“Certainly. You can change it right up until the day you die, really.”

“Good. Then let's do that. I don't want him coming back for it, not ever.”

“I have a feeling that won't be a problem,” Vendell said, pulling a blank sheet of paper from his desk drawer. “Now, be certain, and be specific. Evan can help you if you want.”

“Okay.”

Chapter 48

The phone never stopped ringing. The doorbell was constantly chiming. Rachel had to have Evan disconnect both of them before he left with Remy for the lawyer's office. “I'm about to lose it,” she said, her hands tangled in her fiery locks. “Everyone wants a quote, everyone wants to poke around and ask questions.”

“It's standard procedure,” Frank said. “Case like this one? You can be assured they'll be here for the trial as well.”

“Oh, God. Trial?”

“Seems Cooper Lavelle is insistent for one. Claims he's not to blame for the Long boy's death.”

“Like hell. Evan told me what happened. I've heard Sam murmuring in his sleep, when he crashes out here on the sofa. He might not have pulled the trigger, but he was set on having one of the boys killed that day. I don't think he cared which one.” Rachel snorted. “Thanks for coming back, Frank. It means a lot to Sam, to have you help him with this.”

“I'm surprised he didn't ask you. Or Evan. Really, I just met the lad a couple months ago.”

“I've noticed if Sam likes someone, he sticks with them. He's loyal. Just don't cross him.”

“Quite.” A bemused smile crossed the eighty-year-old's face. “I pity the man his father sends.”

A knock on the door cut their conversation short. “Here we go,” Rachel said. “Sam!”

“They're here?”

“Pretty sure. Get dressed.”

The sounds of Sam pulling clothes out of his closet trailed down the stairs. Footsteps soon followed, the weight of one hundred sixty pounds of bone and muscle striking worn floorboards. “Ready,” he said. “Kitchen?”

“Yes.” She looked at the lawyer she had let in, a young man barely older than Sam. “Follow me,” Rachel said, leading the man into the next room.

“I'm sorry to be here at such a time,” he apologized. “I'm from North Kingston. It's a shame, really, what happened.” The look on his face seemed genuine.

“Thanks,” Rachel said. “I'll leave you two alone.” She saw Frank sitting at the table with Sam, his hands folded as though he were ready to do combat and was planning strategy.

“I'm Paul Coronet,” the lawyer said, directing his voice toward the younger man. “I have some papers for you to sign.”

“I know. This is Mr. Parker,” Sam said, gesturing toward the space where Frank sat. “He's here to make sure I understand what I'm signing.”

“I can appreciate that. Basically, it says that you are rescinding all ties to your father, both legally and financially.” He handed Sam a Brailled copy. “I took the liberty of having it Brailled. Your father didn't bother to have that done.”

“Thanks. I'm surprised he told you about my blindness. It's not something that comes up with him.”

“I got it from the news reports,” Paul said, embarrassment flushing both his face and his voice. “No one mentioned it at the office.”

“Oh. Still, I appreciate it.” Sam's fingers skimmed the raised dots littering the document. The file was quite sizable, given the thickness of the paper. “It seems straightforward. What do you think, Mr. Parker?”

Frank looked at the document, which was refreshingly free from a lot of legalese. “Frankly, it seems simple enough. He's not asking anything outlandish. Merely that you agree that you are your own person, and that he is no longer physically or financially responsible for you.”

“I guess I don't understand,” Paul said. “You are of age, right?”

“I am. Though I have been living off of what he puts in my account every month. That reminds me, I need to file papers for a government check. And insurance and food stamps. Otherwise, I'll be broke and starving.”

“I can help you with that, lad, though I doubt Rachel would let you starve,” the Englishman said. “Everything seems in order. There's a place to put your signature.”

“Do I sign the print one or the Brailled one?”

“The print one,” Paul said. “But that's a good question.
Can
you sign your name?”

“Give me a pen.”

Paul pulled one out of his waistcoat pocket. Sam took it in his hand and pressed his finger on the paper. He then very slowly eked out the letters in his name, using his finger as a guide to keep the printing relatively straight. “Someone usually writes it clearer next to or underneath it,” he said. “I should have a Braille stamp made that spells my name, with the print version underneath.”

“People used to put an X down because they couldn't read or write,” the young lawyer said. “But, your signature is good. Congratulations, Sam. You're your own person now.”

“Thanks. I think.”

“I mean it. Honestly? I don't care much for your old man either. Needs to check his ego at the door.”

Sam grinned. “But?”

Paul sighed. “But the job pays well. And I need money to start my own small firm. It's a vicious cycle.”

“Good luck,” Sam said.

“I'll walk you out,” Frank said, rising from his chair. As the lawyer left, he saw Evan pull into the driveway with Remy.

“Hi, Mr. Parker,” Remy said, clamoring up the porch stairs. “How'd it go?”

“Remarkably well. Sam had no need to worry. I'll be by in a few days to help him file for benefits.”

“Good.” The young man shrugged his black fuzzy jacket off his thin shoulders and hung it on the coatrack near the door. “Hey, Sam! Guess what?”

“Remarkable,” Frank said as Evan shook off the bits of gently falling snow from his coat.

“What is?”

“Those lads. Everything's changed, and yet, it's like it's just after that break-in again.”

“Well, Remy got wiser, that's for sure.”

“And Sam has gained more voice. Don't think for a moment that I didn't see he was constantly playing peacemaker between Remy and Josh Long. He's standing up for himself more.”

Evan led the man into the living room. “I really didn't think he'd take on his father, though. Sherman Davis can be an intimidating SOB when he wants.”

“The benefit of not ever physically seeing the man,” Frank mused. “Hard to be afraid of what you can't see.”

“True.” Evan paused a moment, letting the events of the morning sink in. “Have you had any luck finding out what Cooper was up to all those years ago?”

“Sadly, no,” the older man said. “I believe it will remain a mystery. I am, however, keen to look into Cooper's movements since he came to Otter Lake. I'm not so sure his brother's accident was an accident, if you get my meaning.”