Читать книгу Draca - Geoffrey Gudgion - Страница 28

Harry felt a bit guilty when he read that bit. Eddie used a lot of words, sometimes, like Jack. Maybe, Harry thought, he should have been closer to Old Eddie at the end, but then he ’ d got a business to run. Going well, too, but he needed to keep on top of it. Sometimes, in the security trade, success means making damn sure nothing goes wrong. And the only way to be sure is to be there.

There was a file of correspondence from solicitors in a cupboard. That ’ s where Harry found a copy of the will . It was recent, dated about the same time as that crazy letter to Jack. It was very short, but Harry had to read it several times while it sunk in, because he couldn ’ t believe it. Eddie had left enough to Tilly for her to buy a decent, small car. That was fair. Harry didn ’ t mind that. There were larger bequests to her children, which surprised him a bit, to be held in trust until they were older. After that there was a single, bald sentence.

I give my remaining Residuary Estate after payment of debts funeral and testamentary expenses to my grandson Jack Ahlquist, who has given me the chance to be the father I always should have been.

No other explanation. No mention of Harry or anyone else. That boy had wormed his way in there and persuaded a mad old man to change his will . Robbing his own family, for God ’ s sake. When Harry went out into the garden he was so angry that if Jack hadn ’ t been protected by that shelter he might have hit him. As it was, Harry smashed his fist into the side of the upended boat and Jack jolted awake, panic in his eyes until he recognised Harry and then he just looked puzzled.

‘ You knew, didn ’ t you! ’ Harry thrust the will into his face, all scrunched up in his hand.

‘ Knew what, Dad? ’ The boy started to look defiant, the way he always did when he ’ d done wrong and was going to be punished, but Harry wasn ’ t going to spell it out.

‘ Of all the underhand, conniving tricks! ’

Jack blinked, and swallowed in that lip-licking way that told Harry he was still drunk.

‘ What the hell are you talking about? ’

Harry hated it when the boy answered back. ‘ You know damn well what I ’ m talking about. ’ He threw the will at him and Jack ’ s eyes went hard like someone who wa s ready to fight.

‘ I ’ ll challenge it. Undue influence, or whatever they call it. Exploiting a vulnerable old man. ’

‘ Let ’ s see what you ’ re so upset about. ’ Jack spoke so softly that it was dangerous, unnatural, and he kept his eyes on Harry ’ s as he bent forward to pick up the paper from the ground. He was still staring at Harry as he smoothed it against his leg.

Harry wasn ’ t going to stay and watch Jack ’ s little charade. He turned away because if he had to stare at that blazing innocence for one more second he might have done something he ’ d regret.

He was so bloody angry that he smashed his Jaguar on the way home. Turned out into the path of another car. No one hurt, but it would cost. Big time. Now that was his fault. Well, legally it was.