Chapter Thirty-Eight Nico #2
He puts a lot of emphasis on those last words. Essentially, everything rests on his assessment. No pressure there then. The first questions he asks are easy enough: some family background, a little more about Lee’s personal history, education and work.
Lee is serene and businesslike throughout. I try not to get distracted by how hot and competent she is.
‘Now about your intelligence work,’ Charles says to her, sliding his fingers over the notes in front of him. ‘Could you elucidate on some of these contracts? I noticed in the records you provided that several of them are rather sizeable.’
He hands her a piece of paper and she scans it while I try not to look thrown. What intelligence work?
Lee leans forward and runs her eyes over the document. ‘Certainly,’ she says. ‘Do you mind if I consult my notes?’
‘Not at all.’
Lee bends down and opens up the slim briefcase next to her chair. When did she put that there? She pulls out a leather portfolio that matches Charles’s and his eyes light with approval. Oh god, there are two of them now.
Lee uncaps her own pen and starts annotating the sheet of paper Charles gave her.
Her focus is absolute, the only sound is the clock ticking above the stove.
Finally, she slides it back to him. ‘I’ve marked out the various agencies and provided you with contact details in case you need to confirm anything,’ she says.
‘Obviously I can’t go into detail, a lot of my work is sensitive…
’ she trails off delicately, and Charles nods in understanding.
I’m glad one of us has a clue what’s going on.
‘For my purposes, I suppose the key question is whether or not you enter into any field work.’ Charles tilts his head. ‘This would obviously have repercussions in terms of the safety and security of Mr Hart and his daughter.’
Field work? What the fuck?
Lee doesn’t look thrown at all, just shakes her head. ‘The work I do is purely as an analyst and on a freelance basis. I am under no specific obligation to any of the security services, and certainly pose no threat to anyone’s safety.’
‘Excellent. Charles makes a note while I gawp at Lee.
She lifts her brows at me and I snap my mouth shut. Fine, so I unknowingly married the James Bond of accountants; now isn’t the time to freak out about that.
‘And I can see that your financial records are extremely thorough,’ Charles says and again there’s a definite note of approval. I had no idea that Lee had even had to provide her financial information; god, that’s so intrusive. I shift in my seat, but Lee places a reassuring hand on my leg.
‘I am an accountant,’ she says dryly, and Charles gives a short laugh.
‘There was no prenuptial agreement before your wedding took place, is that correct?’ Charles looks back down at his papers.
‘Why would we need a prenup?’ I manage to sound more polite than I’m feeling.
‘You’re poised to inherit a substantial sum of money, Mr Hart,’ Charles chides gently. ‘We would certainly have advised—’
‘As you can see,’ Lee jumps in, ‘I am financially independent. I make a very comfortable living. Should Nico and I ever divorce…’
My stomach twists. Divorce. Of course we’re going to have to get divorced. Why does the thought make me want to Hulk out and rip the room apart?
‘I would not expect there to be any kind of settlement,’ Lee finishes calmly.
‘And would you be willing to sign something to that effect?’ Charles asks. ‘A postnuptial agreement? My office would be happy to draw one up.’
‘Certainly,’ Lee says at the same time as I growl, ‘Over my dead body.’
Lee turns to me, her eyes wide, as she clearly tries to communicate what are you doing?
I know that one way or another we’re going to have to dissolve this marriage and that Lee isn’t going to ask me for a penny anyway, but everything inside me is rioting at the thought of her signing something like that. I don’t care how illogical it is, it’s not happening.
‘No prenup or postnup or whatever you’re calling it. No,’ I say, the words unyielding.
Charles only lifts his brows and continues. ‘Very well.’ He clears his throat. ‘In that case, we should turn to you, Mr Hart. I understand that you have been working in construction, but that your current project is shortly to be completed?’
‘That’s correct,’ I say, my throat suddenly dry.
‘And may I ask you what your plans are? Will you be continuing in this line of work?’
‘I’ve considered it,’ I manage. ‘Maine doesn’t require a state-level contracting licence, so I could take local jobs and still be available to…
’ I almost say Phoebe, but shift at the last moment, ‘my family. But, it would take time to build a client base, particularly in such a small area. And although I’ve made some good contacts in the last eleven months, it would be difficult to sustain a small business of my own right now.
One option is to join a local crew. I have several potential leads on that in the short term. ’
Charles nods. ‘I understand that prior to your move to Roseport you were working as a photojournalist?’
‘That’s right,’ I say tightly.
‘Is that an area of work you may return to?’
‘That work is not compatible with the needs of my family,’ I say mechanically.
‘I see.’ Charles hums and makes another note.
The scratch of his pen against the paper feels judgemental.
I can only imagine what he must think of me.
No plan, no way of providing for my family, apparently depending on my financially independent wife and the big payout I have coming from my dead dad. What a winner.
‘You don’t have a private pension set up, is that correct?’ he asks.
‘I do, but I haven’t contributed to it for a while.’ I swallow. ‘I’ll see if I can find the details for you.’
‘I see,’ he says again and I can’t even look at Lee. ‘And what provisions have you made thus far for Phoebe’s future? Is there a college fund?’
‘Not as yet.’ I swallow. ‘I do have some savings but obviously that’s a priority for me.’
My own failures as a father are thrown into stark relief. Guilt claws at me. I’m letting my daughter down. I’m a terrible dad.
‘We’re still working out our best options for the future,’ Lee cuts in here, and her voice is all steel.
‘Nico’s primary concern – and mine – is Phoebe’s wellbeing.
For the last year he has demonstrated nothing but level-headed and practical responsibility.
He is taking this moment to explore his options and make the best decision for everyone involved.
That isn’t something to be rushed simply because his father has sent someone to rake his life over the coals in an act of petty control. ’
It’s my turn to stare at her.
‘I didn’t—’ Charles begins, but Lee interrupts, her eyes flashing. She’s on a roll now.
‘Nico is one of the best people I know,’ she continues hotly.
‘No, scratch that. He’s the best person.
I have been lucky enough to have him in my life for twenty-seven years and he’s a kind, generous, caring, intelligent man.
Just because he refused to follow the path his father wanted him to, he’s had to spend his whole life being made to feel like some sort of ungrateful, irresponsible waste of time.
‘He’s been belittled and snubbed by that side of his family while making his own way in the world – without a penny from his father by the way – and climbed to the top of a wildly demanding and impossibly competitive field through hard work and talent alone.
Now you want to make him feel as if he’s letting that little girl down, when he’d give up his whole life for her happiness? Well, not today, not on my watch.’
She’s standing now, and Charles and I exchange a look of bewilderment.
‘This entire process is insulting and Nico is handling it with more grace than you or I ever would. The idea that he should have to prove he’s some sort of saint before he inherits what’s rightfully his, from a man who – let’s be honest – was one of the most morally bankrupt individuals I’ve ever met, and I’ll remind you that I occasionally investigate terrorist organisations for a living… ’
Wait, what?
‘… is an irresponsible and disgusting misuse of the legal system and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.’
Her cheeks are pink, her chest is heaving. There’s a moment of ringing silence. Charles closes his portfolio and slides it into his briefcase.
‘Thank you. I think I have all I need for now,’ he says levelly. ‘I’ll show myself out.’
He pushes his chair back and Lee and I both watch as he leaves, closing the front door behind him with a click.
I exhale.
‘Well, Daisy. That was some second rodeo.’
‘Oh my god,’ she whispers. ‘I did it again.’
‘Yup.’
‘Why are you smiling? This is a disaster. I basically just told the trustee to go fuck himself.’ Her fingers are in her hair, her expression is panicked.
‘Yup.’
She waves a hand at my face. ‘Stop it. Why are you looking at me like that?’
I walk over and reach for her waist, and then I bend down, and unceremoniously haul her up over my shoulder. She beats at my back with her fists. ‘Nicolas Hart!’ she yelps. ‘What are you doing? Put me down, right now.’
I kick the door to the bedroom open with my foot and toss her on the bed, where she bounces. She pushes her hair out of her face and looks up at me, furious.
‘What on earth has got into you? Have you lost your mind?’
I stare down at her, and start unbuttoning my shirt. My hands go to my belt. Her mouth drops open, her pupils blow out like drops of ink in water.
‘Yup. Now get naked.’
There’s a tapping sound against the window.
‘Fuck off, Russell!’ Lee and I both shout at the same time.
And then I show my wife just how out of my mind she makes me.
Twice.