Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 12

Percy went straight to the room bar and poured himself a large scotch straight up, ignoring the others. Lillian sat beside an uncomfortable Humphrey who was holding the papers a helpless Constance had delivered.

"He insisted on coming back with me." She shrugged

"Damn right!" Percy interjected, waving his drink around. "I happen to be the screwed party here!"

The women traded glances.

"What are you doing to make this right, Borden?" Percy fixed his company lawyer with a glare.

"I don't think your bullying is productive, Percy." Lillian stood as if to defend Humphrey physically.

Percy sputtered mid swallow and Constance took the opportunity to deliver a harder than necessary helpful smack to his back.

Before he finished coughing and began another rant, Humphrey quickly explained the strategy they were planning, emphasizing that it wasn't a sure thing.

"Are you telling me that little bastard can get away with this? He can sell that villa and walk away free?"

"It is his, Percy. You helped he and Lillian purchase it originally."

"Don't tell me what I know, tell me how we can stop it." He turned and gave Constance a sour look, flexing his back. "And where is that goon boyfriend of yours?"

"Rodney," she replied stiffly, "is tracking Patton."

"Tracking how? Have you talked to him? Does he have anything to report?"

"We uh, we haven't heard."

"Well call him for chrissake! He has a phone doesn't he?"

********

Percy bullied his way past the airline personnel and acquired four seats in business class on the next JetAir flight that would take them to Blue Shoals. When Constance had reached Rodney and reported what he was doing, Percy went ballistic, raging on about having to keep Patton safe until they could put Humphrey's plan to work.

He would brook no arguments, insisting they all stay together and together they stayed, flying to Blue Shoals for a showdown with Rodney, Patton or both.

********

Mathew cleared customs and went to the ferry terminal for transportation to the resort. Hot and humid weather forced the commuters to huddle under the overhang of the terminal building while the ferry was prepared for boarding. The trip to Blue Shoals was the first stop and would only be twenty minutes so Mathew spent his time going over the contract papers once again.

He looked up as a shadow fell over the page and found the nasty leer of Rodney Riddler looking down.

"Hello, Patton."

Mathew folded his papers and slid away on the bench.

"Want me to burn those for you?" The leer enlarged.

"What are you doing here, what do you want? I see you have new glasses."

Rodney lifted them up. "Same thing I wanted last time we chatted." The look hardened and he sat down, uncomfortably close. 'Those papers did burn, as you well know."

"I wasn't giving Rudman any rights to my property."

"He took your wife."

Mathew winced. "That-- that was her choice."

"So you didn't mind?"

"That's none of your bloody business . . . "

"Oooh, testy!" Rodney leaned in closer. "Here's what is going to happen, Patton. You and I are getting off his ferry at Conch Cay not Blue Shoals and," he nodded at the papers Mathew clutched, "you are going to tell me how you plan on sharing the money from your sale with me."