After a short delay, the receptionist ushered him into the oak and leather sanctuary of Leonard Bartlesby, last surviving member of the original partners. The aging barrister gestured to a seat as Jed-IV entered the spacious office.
"I had all but given up hope that anyone would come forward," Bartlesby said, his southern accent tinged with an undertone from somewhere in the northeast.
"It's true, then?" Jed asked. "Gramp left me a gift after all?"
"Oh, absolutely." The two men looked up as a very efficient looking woman in a sternly cut gray suit entered the room and deposited a box on the lawyer's desk. She left without a word or a glance at either of them.
"Scary woman, that one," Bartlesby said, then removed several sealed envelopes, examining the names until he found the right one. "Here it is," he said. "J. A. Tartikoff, the fourth. That's you, isn't it?"
Jed nodded vigorously, and the attorney passed him the envelope. While Jed examined its contents, Bartlesby fed the rest of the envelopes into a shredder.
"What are you doing?" Jed cried.
"Following instructions," the attorney said. "Your great-grandfather insisted that there be but one heir to his estate. You're it. And, if you'll forgive me a moment of crass commercialism, may I point out that even if we hadn't managed to triple the size of his estate while it was in our care, you would still be one of the richest men in the country."
Jed's heart crashed repeatedly into his ribs. "I don't know what to say."
Bartlesby laughed. "You're not required to say anything. We'll need your signature on a few documents. After that it'll take us a few more days to see that the proper papers are filed with the courts. There are a couple law suits pending, but now that you're here I feel sure they'll be dismissed. We're authorized to disburse the estate to you in twenty annual payments -- or transfers of equivalent securities. Your only obligations are listed in the document you have in your hand."
The smile on Jed's face had grown so wide that it had nearly become painful. He tried to tone it down, working his jaws to loosen them as he read. When he finished he glanced at the attorney. "I really have to do this?"
"Oh, dear." Bartlesby looked down at the shredder and frowned. "I hope you aren't going to tell me you can't agree to the terms."
Jed shook his head. "No. I mean, yes! I agree. It's just-- Well, except for my parents, I haven't spoken to anyone in my family in years. Now I'm supposed to pull them all together every Christmas?"
"Correct. And you'll provide for the transportation of any who live out of town. Further, you will spend a portion of every year outside the country locating suitable gifts for every one of them and any others born since the death of Jedidiah senior." Bartlesby gave Jed a severe and lawyerly stare. "Naturally, we will monitor such events, though at a respectful distance. Should you fail in your duties, further payments will cease and the balance of the estate will be turned over to charity."
"But--"
"The arrangement is iron-clad, Mr. Tartikoff." The attorney preened. "Badenheim, Borgeron, Bartlesby and Smith is the best law firm in the business. We'll do whatever it takes to see that these terms are carried out. Is that understood?"
"Absolutely," Jed said. "I understand completely. There's no problem." He got up to leave and made it as far as the massive oak office door.
"Oh, wait!" Bartlesby exclaimed, "there is one more thing." He rummaged around in a lower drawer of his huge desk. "Your great-grandfather mailed this to us a few weeks before he passed away. He asked us to give it to you in the event you showed up here." The aging barrister surrendered a lumpy envelope. Written on the outside in a now familiar scrawl were the words:
Jed, sorry this is so late.
He tore off the end and shook the contents into his hand: a miniature hunting rifle and a tiny wooden rhinoceros.
~End~
About the author:
A Little Primitive ** -- A contemporary thriller featuring a two-foot tall Indian on a mission to save his clan, and a woman hiding from her psychotic ex-husband.
A Little More Primitive ** -- The little warrior returns -- with his lady love! Alas, the apple of his eye is kidnapped. Once again, the little primitive springs into action.
Resurrection Blues ** -- A novel of discovery and liberation set in a town that doesn't exist (at least as far as tax collectors are concerned).
Mysfits -- A six-pack of urban (and suburban) fantasies.
Six from Greeley @@ -- Timeless tales from a town that never grew up.
Dancing Among the Stars -- A six-pack of science and speculative fiction.
Christmas Beyond the Box @@ -- Six holiday tales of mystery and magic.
The Best Damned Squirrel Dog (Ever) -- A Civil War ghost story.
Books co-authored with Barbara Galler-Smith:
Under Saint Owain's Rock ** -- A contemporary romantic comedy. (Don't miss the sample chapter beginning on the next page.)
Druids -- ** The first century BC adventures begin.
Captives -- ** The Druids saga continues.
Warriors -- ** The final book in the Druids trilogy (debuts May 2013).
Under Saint Owain's Rock is available in both e-book and paperback formats. Contact your favorite on-line retailer or use this link: What's a little scandal between friends?
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