Til Debt Do Us Part

Chapter 14

Humphrey's condition was diagnosed as a mini stroke, exacerbated by the blow to his head in the boat crash. Scans indicated his previous hospital visit was likely another mini stroke and his blood pressure was far too high so he was confined in hospital and placed on medication and a healthier diet.

Percy on the other hand wore his minor wound like medal and brandished it about the hospital room, demanding immediate action for the attempted assassination.

"I think that's a bit of a reach, Mr. Rudman," the doctor smiled condescendingly.

"A reach! You want to see reach, Doctor? Do you know who I am?"

"I do." The police captain announced, striding into the room and dismissing the medical staff with a brief wave. "So let's just tone it down and tell me about the sale of this villa everyone is so interested in."

The uniform insignia registered with Percy and he frowned, slumping back on the edge of his bed.

I have statements from the Pattons, Miss Constance Riaz and the management of Blue Shoals. Now I would like to hear your version of events . . . and please keep the rhetoric to a minimum."

"What did they say, what about Borden?"

"Your version, Mr. Rudman!" The statement came out like a nail gun and Percy actually flinched.

After thirty minutes and a few course corrections, Percy told his side and the captain closed his folder and sighed, looking at the man whose greed had begun the entire escapade. From here it would be a matter for the courts and insurance companies once his report was filed. "Accommodation has been arranged at Blue Shoals or the villa in question, an option I think rather generous in the circumstances."

"I'm a member of the board in case you weren't aware."

"Yes . . . well I'll have a constable drive you back. You can make your arrangements there."

********

"This is outrageous! I'm a board member, I have shares here!"

"I believe that you do, Percy, and now you're sharing with me."

"Smug little bastard. This is all your fault."

Mathew's eyebrows shot up and his head rocked back. "My fault! You were the one shtupping my wife so you could get your hands on our villa. You're the one that kicked me out of a job to hasten that end. You're the one that hired that thug that shot at me--"

"What? Shot at you? I'm the one he shot at."

"You are pathetic, Percy. No wonder your company initials spell PRIC. Riddler shot a hole through my windshield when I burned the divorce papers and made a run for it."

"I didn't-- I wasn't aware . . . he's Borden's thug. I never hired him."

'Oh, sorry. Imagine my embarrassment. I guess Humphrey's the next redundancy then, eh?"

Percy clamped his mouth shut and moved to the room bar, fumbling with one hand to open a bottle and pour himself a drink.

"A little help would be nice."

"I'll bet." Mathew ignored his struggles.

"You're a bastard, Patton."

"So you said."

Percy spilled more than he managed to get in the glass, swore and flopped down on the small end of a sectional sofa.

"When Humphrey gets those papers filed you are going to be right out of bloody luck. You know that don't you?"