Chapter 33
“Enjoy your stay, Mr. Humphrey,” the clerk at the Carlyle said as she passed Humphrey his key card.
He thanked her and headed for the elevator.
He hadn’t planned on being back in New York so soon but had returned because three of the college’s trustees were in the city and had asked him to dinner.
As much as he would rather be doing anything else, he couldn’t afford to offend them and potentially draw unnecessary scrutiny. At least, not until after he’d fixed the mess he’d made with the college’s finances.
Once he was in his suite, he confirmed the private dining room he’d reserved at Le Bernardin. His plan was to rest for an hour before getting ready, but his mind was spinning too much for him to sit still.
Things were actually on track to work out just fine. The Sidney brothers had filed the suit to have the will thrown out. And when they inevitably lost, the college would receive half of Trenton’s estate.
The best part was that even if they somehow won, and the previous will was put into effect, the college’s share would still be more than the paltry hundred million it was currently in line to receive.
What was driving him crazy, though, was the waiting. The sooner the estate was settled, the sooner he could breathe again.
His cell rang, the caller ID read: Aaron Sidney.
“Hello, Aaron,” he answered. “How are you?”
“Not happy,” Aaron said.
“Did something happen?”
“More like something didn’t happen.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m still waiting for the evidence you promised me.”
“Ah, that. Don’t worry. I’ve been working on it as much as I can. I’m sure you understand it’s not something I can hand off to subordinates, and it would not help your cause if anyone else were to find out that I’m assisting you.”
“I don’t see why that’s such a big deal. When I use your info to prove the will’s a fake, people are going to find out.”
“That’s true. But if word gets out now, Barrington will do everything he can to suppress the evidence before you can use it.”
“Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. I mean, I would have. I’m just juggling a lot of things.”
“I have no doubt,” Humphrey lied.
“How much longer is it going to take you?”
“I should think a few more weeks should be enough.”
When a fortnight had passed, Humphrey would then say he needed another, and he would keep saying the same until it was too late.
“How are things on your end?” Humphrey asked.
“Can you believe they were going to throw me out of my dad’s office?”
“What are you talking about?”
Aaron told him about Barrington’s threat to have him arrested, and how he had been the bigger man and had left on his own.
“I’m sorry that happened to you,” Humphrey said when he was finished, thinking Aaron was an even bigger idiot than he’d thought. “Any movement on the suit?”
“Ryan says Barrington should be filing a response soon.”
“I’m curious as to what he’ll say.”
“You and me both.” Aaron paused, then said, “Get me that proof.”
“I will,” Humphrey said, but Aaron had already hung up.
The sound of a car door shutting stirred Bronsky from his slumber.
He sat up and realized he was alone in the sedan. He scanned the outside until he spotted his driver disappearing into what looked to be a small marina.
Bronsky climbed out of the car and stretched, then searched for a sign that might tell him where he was.
After seeing none, he checked his watch. It was a quarter past six p.m. He’d been out for hours. Not surprising, given he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days, thanks to Dame Felicity.
Across the parking lot, his driver reappeared in the company of a man dressed in dark jeans and a black sweater. The new guy was older, maybe mid-forties, and looked fit.
When they reached the car, the older man held out his hand and said, “Mr. Weeks, I’m Andre Parker.”
They shook.
“How was the trip?” Parker asked.
“Unmemorable,” Bronsky said dismissively, waving at the town around them. “So, this is where she is?”
“No. This is Camden. Dame Felicity’s at Barrington’s house on Islesboro.”
“Why are we here and not there?”
“Because there are only three ways to get to the island. By scheduled ferry, by airplane, or by private boat. The first two risk our presence being noted. Since that’s something I’m sure you’ll agree we should avoid, number three is the only option.”
“You have secured a boat?”
“I have.” He turned to the younger man. “Would you please grab Mr. Bronsky’s luggage?”
“I’ll do it,” Bronsky said.
He retrieved the messenger bag from the car.
“Follow me,” Parker said.
He led Bronsky and Frank to a thirty-foot motorboat that had a partially enclosed cabin to protect the driver from the elements.
Parker gestured to a set of stairs leading down into the boat. “There’s a lounge below, if you’d like to be more comfortable.”
“I’m fine here,” Bronsky said.
Parker shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He glanced at Frank. “Get the ropes.”
While Frank untied them from the dock, Parker fired up the engine. As soon as they were free, he steered them through the marina and out into the bay.
It took a little more than twenty minutes to reach Islesboro. They then spent another fifteen following the coast, Parker keeping them five hundred yards from shore, before he held out a pair of binoculars to Bronsky and said, “It’s coming up.”
Bronsky took the field glasses and started to move to the back of the boat where he’d have a clearer view.
“No, look from in here,” Parker said. “There’s tint on the glass, so no one on shore will be able to see you.”
Heeding the advice, Bronsky raised the glasses and looked across the water.
“What am I looking for?” he asked.
“Big house with a dock that has a Hinckley boat moored to it.”
Bronsky didn’t know what a Hinckley boat looked like, but there was only one dock with a single vessel beside it. He said as much, then added, “But there are three houses close to it, not one.”
“Main house, guest house, and a garage with what looks like guest quarters above it,” Parker said. “All Barrington’s place.”
As Bronsky studied the property, he caught movement between the smaller buildings and the water.
It took him a moment to realize it was a man dressed in dark clothes.
He blended in well with the early evening shadows.
When the man neared the dock, he stopped and lifted his own binoculars, appearing to train them directly on Bronsky.
“Shit,” Bronsky said as he quickly lowered his glasses. “You’re sure they can’t see in here?”
“Is one of them looking at us?” Parker asked. “Don’t worry. He didn’t see you.”
“Security team?”
Parker nodded.
“Size?”
“The most I’ve seen at one time is three. But I’m sure there are more inside.”
“How big is your team?”
“Six of us, including Frank and me.”
“Is that enough?”
“Enough? It’s overkill. I’ve handled more difficult situations than this alone. But Richter said you insisted I have help. Who am I to tell you how to spend your money?”
Bronsky couldn’t tell if Parker was exaggerating or merely stating facts. The only thing that mattered was if the guy could get the job done, and according to Richter, there was no one better.
After Barrington’s place fell out of sight, Parker guided them around the island to a vacation home he’d rented, which also had a dock.
Soon they were off the boat and inside the house.
“You can have the master bedroom,” Parker said. “It’s up the stairs and at the end of the hall.”
Bronsky set his bag on the dining room table. “What is your plan?”
“Right now? Grab a beer and get something to eat.”
“And then?”
Parker chuckled. “You aren’t a very patient man, are you, Mr. Weeks.”
Bronsky’s eyes hardened. “Patient? I have more patience than anyone you’ve ever met. I’ve been waiting years for this moment.”
Parker held up a placating hand. “Whoa there. Didn’t mean to push a button.”
Bronsky stared at him. “Then don’t say useless things. What is the plan?”
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Parker’s lips.
“Tonight, we recon, and hopefully confirm that the target is present. Tomorrow night, there’s a storm that’s supposed to blow through here and last until morning. We use that for cover to get in close and take her out. How does that work for you?”
Parker’s tone bordered on condescension, but Bronsky decided to let it pass. In a little more than a day, the job would be done, and his future secured.
He took a deep breath, then said, “That works for me just fine.”