Conduct in Question

Chapter 27

At a quarter past three, Harry entered his office library. Copies of the offer and the two wills were neatly stacked at the end of the table. He massaged the back of his neck and contemplated the onslaught of the Deighton beneficiaries. No doubt a major confrontation was brewing.

Crawford’s roguish visage glowered down upon all potential proceedings from the wall. Beside it hung the portrait of Crawford’s senior partner, the mild-mannered Geoffrey Crane. Although Harry never knew the man, he wondered how Crane had coped with the young Turk, Crawford. To Harry, Crawford was an aberration in the firm. He toyed with the notion of removing the picture, and smiled at the realization that he was still haunted by old ghosts.

The purpose of the meeting was to effect some settlement among the warring factions of the Deighton clan. There was nothing like will changes to drive families apart. Rational clients usually shuddered at incurring gargantuan legal bills simply to make a point of principle, but a stubborn few could drain the estate coffers just to settle an ancient family score.

The library door rattled. Opening the door, Harry was confronted by a fuming Miss Giveny, bearing a tray with a coffeepot, cups and saucers..

“Where should I put this?” she asked, plunking the tray on the library table. “Those Deightons have been nothing but trouble for the firm,” she said in her most spinsterish tone. “I’m sure one of the children knows what happened to Marjorie.” Glancing significantly at Harry, she trundled from the room, muttering, “Those Deightons will never agree on anything.”

Voices floated in from the foyer. Good grief. Ten minutes early. In his heartiest Crawford manner, Harry strode into the foyer.

“Good afternoon,” he said, beaming and taking Katharine’s hand. Her smile was brief and professional. Gerry stepped forward to shake hands, then hung in the background.

“We’re the first ones here?” Katharine asked.

“Yes. I expect your sister any moment.”

“Could Gerry and I speak with you alone, Mr. Jenkins?”

Harry hesitated. “Yes. But it’s customary to meet with all the interested parties together, Mrs. Rowe. Whatever I say to one should be said to all.”

“Mr. Jenkins, Frank Sasso has a stranglehold on my sister. We need to speak before he arrives.”

“He’s coming?”

Katharine smiled patiently. “Suzannah is rarely let out on her own. She can’t stand up to Frank.”

“I’d normally exclude an outsider from our meeting.”

“That would only make matters worse.”

Harry nodded and ushered them into the library. Intending to avoid the semblance of secret dealings, he left the door ajar. In hopes of forestalling incriminating conversations, he offered coffee. They declined.

Taking his seat, Harry began uncomfortably, “You understand, Mrs. Rowe, I’m somewhat in the middle here.”

“Meaning?”

“Any estate lawyer has to be impartial in dealing with the beneficiaries.”

Katharine nodded and said, “Don’t worry. We’re not asking any special favors from the estate. Gerry and I have retained a lawyer.”

Anyone cut out of a will ought to get legal advice, but Katharine’s speed suggested a preemptive strike. “Shouldn’t your counsel be here?”

“Not yet. We’ll make it clear to Suzannah that this is her only chance to settle with us, otherwise we bring in the lawyers and sue for undue influence. You saw Frank gloating over the new will he got Marjorie to sign. We won’t back down on undue influence. Frank’s in for a very expensive battle.” Katharine’s smile was cold and brittle. Gerry slunk back in the shadows. A well-coached client, thought Harry.