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The Tessarae Inn |
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Poseidon Rising CHAPTER 3 When he heard the key in the lock, Todd stood up and walked to the large bank of windows that looked out on the skyline of Llanview. He stuck one hand in his pants pocket and leaned slightly against the railing of the staircase. It was best for her to see him from behind first then he would slowly turn and let her see his face. Then turn away quickly. She would rush to him and hug him from behind. The way she had done so many times before. She would touch his arms, his hair and lay her head on his back just to make sure he was real. She would, wouldn’t she? He felt the muscles in his chest seize up but he squelched his anxiety. She would react exactly the way he predicted. No one in the world knew her as well as he did. But then she didn’t want to talk to him yesterday. That was probably just the shock of the news. She needed time to adjust. Just like he needed time to adjust to the state of the penthouse. It was perfectly maintained as if it was waiting for him to come home. There was a supply of Scotch, food in the refrigerator, fresh sheets on the bed, flowers and God only knows what else. Blair must have had a service work overtime getting the place ready for him, but why? She knew he was staying at Viki’s. Why the rush? “Todd?” He turned slowly and faced her. She nodded once. “I thought that was you.” What the hell? Thought that was you? “How did you get in?” “The building super remembered me.” “I see. It was lucky that you remembered him and how to find him.” “Amnesia is not like wiping the slate clean. You remember the oddest things and forget some of the most important.” Blair shrugged and reached into her briefcase and pulled out a cell phone. She dialed quickly and said simply, “He’s here.” She broke the connection then sat in the chair near the fireplace that was furthest away from him and crossed her legs. “Arnold Pratt will be here in a second. He’s your attorney. I assume you have forgotten him or maybe not. I guess it depends on how important he was to you.” “I’m sorry that I don’t remember you, Blair,” he said softly. She arched her eyebrow. “You don’t need to remember me, but I would like for you to remember your children.” It was all he could do not to yell at her but he had to stay calm. What the hell was wrong with her? This was not going the way it was supposed to. Arnold Pratt strolled into the room without knocking, which irritated the hell out of him but he had to maintain his cool at all costs. “Mr. Manning, as always good to see you.” “You’re Pratt?” “Yes, I am, Mr. Manning. Mrs. Manning called me to represent your…” “Cramer.” “What?” “It’s Cramer.” “Ah, yes. That is correct. Ms. Cramer called me to make sure your interests are protected. If you prefer to seek legal counsel somewhere else…” Todd trained his eyes on Blair. “I thought we were married?” Blair matched his gaze. “I thought you didn’t remember.” Viki appeared suddenly in his line of vision and she rushed toward him. “Todd, I wish you had waited for me.” She hurried next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I was looking for…” Viki turned suddenly as if she just realized Blair and Pratt were in the room. “Oh, sorry. Hello, Blair…Pratt.” Blair nodded at Viki. “I guess we can get started now.” She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a bright blue folder. She nodded to Pratt who had also pulled out a file stuffed with what appeared to be legal documents. As he watched her he was having a very hard time keeping his temper in check. Get started? His lawyer being present? “What the hell is going on here?” he yelled. Viki tightened her grip on his arm. Blair smiled slightly. “Well, I guess you remember your temper.” He glared at her but she seemed to be watching him with a flicker of amusement in her eyes. He didn’t like it. Not at all. Was she trying to do some preemptive strike to lay permanent claim to what was his? He would not let that happen. She should know him better than that. “Why don’t you sit down, Mr. Manning. There are just a few things to discuss.” “Discuss? All I wanted to do was to see the woman I’m supposed to be married to so I could see if that jogged my memory.” Blair leaned forward. “Did it?” He narrowed his eyes. “Nope.” “Okay then we’ve finished with what you wanted now we can focus on what I want.” He glanced up the staircase then took a deep breath. Was she trying to play hardball with him? Hadn’t she learned anything? He did not lose. He was the master of the end game. Nothing would change that. He shifted his gaze slowly to her face then sat down on the staircase. He rested his elbows on his knees and locked his hands together. “What do you want to discuss?” Pratt glanced at Todd then at Blair. He cleared his throat and said,” Shortly after you were declared dead, Mr. Manning, Mrs….Ms. Cramer had a number of legal documents drawn up to settle your estate.” “Go on.” “These documents were legally filed and she believes that it is important that you are aware of them, now that you are no longer a decedent.” “She is claiming that what is MINE is hers?” Blair folded her hands on her lap and leaned back slightly in the chair. “Nice to know that you didn’t forget your property.” Pratt glanced at Blair quickly and raised his hand slightly. She looked away. “Quite the contrary, Mr. Manning. All of your assets—businesses, physical property, automobiles, personal effects and so on and especially your liquid assets—were put in a trust for your children. Mrs….Ms. Cramer put no claim on your estate except for the fees needed to settle things and set up the trusts.” “She didn’t take any of the money! How is she raising my children then?” “I’m not sure. She …” “Actually, I’m doing fine. Thanks for your concern though.” Pratt began to lay legal documents on the coffee table as he rattled off their significance –ownership of The Sun, the deed to the penthouse, the investment portfolio….. “What about my children?” Pratt paused in his litany of property transference. He looked over at Blair but she remained silent. He rifled through the documents then pulled out a form. “Legal documents for shared custody have already been drawn up. They were filed at the same time as the other papers…just in case.” “Joint custody? I thought we were married?” He looked at Blair but she didn’t hold his gaze. She leaned further back in the chair and crossed her legs. “All I ask is that you give Starr and Jack a little time to adjust to your reemergence in their lives before you activate the agreement.” “Why the hell would I do that? They’re my children.” Blair nodded her head then puffed her right cheek out with her tongue for a second. “Yes, they are. And I guess you’re right. They will have to find a way to make peace with that sooner or later. May as well be sooner as later.” What the hell? Had Blair totally lost her mind? He stood up, clenched his teeth and studied her through narrowed eyes for a second. Finally, he shifted his gaze and took a deep breath and yelled, “Amanda-a-a-a-a! I need you!” The ceiling tiles seemed to shake. He glared at Blair and finally he saw her eyes flicker.
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