CHAPTER ELEVEN
The amphitheater was filled with men for the early morning meeting. Mike, Roderick, Crew and Gus had joined them, listening to Jean’s report.
“Burton Drilling has been losing money since the Platform Nine incident ten years ago. Although they escaped full blame, settling out of court with the investors and the government, they lost millions in the process. Shareholders began losing confidence in them and turned toward other investments.” Jean turned to Remy and Robbie, the two with the most experience at Robicheaux Oil and Gas.
“Robbie and I were asked to testify at the hearing,” said Remy. “Burton had always cut corners, not listening to their own employees on their rigs. Matthew even had long conversations with him about changing his tactics. He felt he was ruining the industry with his careless actions.”
“He obviously was,” frowned Eric.
“All he ever cared about was the money,” said Robbie.
“There were so many red flags on that rig. Divers found gauges frozen in time, telling the whole world what had happened even after the event. While Remy and I were talking about our testimony, trying to refresh our memories from ten years ago, we came across some of the newspaper clippings and photos.”
On the big screen at the front of the room were numerous articles and clips from the news. One photo appeared, Remy and Robbie seated in the front of row of the courtroom.
In front of them, Hollis Burton sat in his crisp suit, legs crossed casually, his hoard of attorneys around him.
“Why are we looking at this?” asked Luke. “I don’t need to see that bastards smug face.”
“Look harder,” said Remy walking toward the screen. The room was silent as if they were searching for Waldo.
“Holy shit,” muttered Rod. “That’s Ms. Martin.”
“Give a prize to the observant firefighter,” smiled Robbie. “That, right there, is Ms. Martin. She’s in a suit. A beautiful, designer suit, her hair done, make-up perfect.”
“Why? Why the fuck would she be there? To ensure her investment was preserved?” said Rod.
“AJ,” said Robbie turning toward the man.
“You know how I enjoy surprising you all,” he smirked.
“AJ, don’t piss me off this morning,” said Eric folding his massive arms across his chest.
“I’m not worried. I can outrun you,” he chuckled.
“AJ!” yelled the entire room.
“Right. Dorothy Martin used her maiden name her entire life.”
“Why? Why would she do that?” asked Rod.
“She was a traditional southern belle. Her parents arranged her marriage based on it being a good match. She rebelled in only one thing. Keeping her maiden name.”
“So? What was her married name?” asked Rod.
“Burton,” gasped Robbie covering his mouth. “Holy fuck. She was Burton’s wife. Everyone knew he was married but no one had ever seen his wife, not one person. But why? Why would she teach when her husband had millions?”
“For exactly that reason,” said AJ. “She wasn’t impressed with money.
She was impressed with good deeds. Now, that didn’t mean she wasn’t smart with money.
Most of her shares in Burton Drilling were bought early in her marriage with her dowry money.
She basically helped him fund his father’s failing business to bring it back to life.
Later, she learned to invest on her own with what she made as a teacher.
“She never chose his lifestyle because she thought it was despicable. He lives primarily on his massive yacht, traveling the world. He’s not a fan of planes, so it’s via water or rail when he has meetings.
“When the accident with Burton happened, all of the shareholders were ordered to appear in court in case they were asked to testify as to whether or not Burton invested in updated safety features, if things such as safety and disasters, rescue, that kind of thing, were discussed during shareholder meetings. Obviously, they weren’t.
“Except for one meeting. Dorothy Martin demanded a safety analysis be done by an independent organization specializing in rig safety. She’d read every single one of the reports coming from Burton, and especially Platform Nine. She wanted it shut down. The rest of the board refused.”
“I can’t believe this,” whispered Rod shaking his head. “She was trying to stop him. He obviously did this!”
“Wait a minute, Rod. We can’t prove that. Not yet,” said Eric. “We need to find something else that says he killed her. Besides, even if he killed her he obviously wouldn’t have gotten her shares. He didn’t know about the will.”
“Her diary,” said Rod staring at the others. “Remy, Robbie, Luke, all of the Robicheauxs. You speak French, right?”
“Why do you ask that?” said Jean.
“Her diary is written in French. I couldn’t understand it,” he said standing and walking toward the box he’d set on the table by the door. “I brought it with me, hoping someone could translate for me. At least the last few weeks of her life.”
“Give it to me,” said Jean holding out his hand. Rod handed him the journal and Jean opened it. “Her handwriting is beautiful. I’m not sure I expected anything less.”
“What does it say, Uncle Jean?” asked Luke.
“This is her last entry,” he said looking up at the room.
Roderick, I hope that you can read this.
This was my only option. I need for you to understand how important this is.
You must stop Burton Drilling before they kill again.
It has plagued my heart and soul for a decade.
Hollis Burton cares about nothing except the almighty dollar.
I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell you everything.
I knew that my death would make you suspicious.
It was time. You are a fine young man and it has been my greatest pleasure to know you.
Contact Gaspar Robicheaux, or any of the Robicheaux boys.
They’re fine people and they will figure out what Hollis is doing.
Stop him Roderick. Then live your life. Live!
“She killed herself?” he frowned.
“Sounds like it, brother,” said Jean. “Maybe it was her way of getting everyone’s attention and forcing Hollis out of hiding. She was in her eighties, brother. She knew her time was limited. It was the last good thing she could do.”
“No! She could have told me. I would have helped her!” he yelled, tears streaming down his face.
“If she’d told you, you would have been in danger,” said Luke. “This way, we’re all involved. She did what she thought was right.”
Roderick stood, taking the diary from Jean and placing it back in the box. He picked it up and headed toward the door.
“Rod, where are you going?” asked Luke.
“To kill Hollis Burton.”