Fatal Legacy Read Free Page A

beneficiaries .’
    There was an awful silence. Alexander looked stunned. Sally had been sitting rigid throughout and now she just stared ahead, eyes glazed. No one in the room spoke. One by one his relatives turned and stared at Alexander, loathing, disgust, anger or simple jealousy in their expressions. It was impossible for them to believe what they had just heard. Alexander, of all people!
    ‘How have you done that, you little weasel? You bastard, with your weekend visits and your phone calls and your bloody boring jobs working in the business. All the time you were plotting this. Who’d have thought you had the brains? Or perhaps you didn’t.’ Graham’s apoplectic face turned to consider Sally. ‘It was you, wasn’t it? You cunning little—’
    ‘Enough!’ Kemp cut across him. ‘There is absolutely no call for this personal invective; it will do no good. Some emotion is understandable at a time like this but there is no excuse for bad behaviour, and anger is a very unsound basis on which to reach decisions. I suggest that, unless there are any practical matters to be disposed of, I draw this meeting to a close, and that those of you who would like to discuss the matter with me further arrange individual appointments for tomorrow or Friday.’
    But Graham hadn’t finished.
    ‘What about Dad’s interest in the family firm? Wainwright Enterprises must be worth fifty million at least – it employs half the county, for Christ’s sake.’
    ‘Your father’s main interests in Wainwright Enterprises were disposed of years ago. His small residual holding is part of the family trust you have been left.’
    This was shock upon shock. They had all assumed that Alan Wainwright owned the whole of the business they had variously avoided or slaved in throughout their adult lives.
    Colin’s purple face glared at Kemp with something approaching hatred.
    ‘You knew he’d changed his will, didn’t you, and yet you said nothing. I bet you’re going to get a nice fat juicy fee from this – and the more difficult it becomes, the more money you’ll make.’
    Kemp stared back calmly, meeting his eye with no difficulty. He was used to the man’s rages.
    ‘Colin, there is no point being angry with Mr Kemp when you know it’s Alan who has done this.’ Julia turned to the solicitor. ‘I think your suggestion is a very sound one, Jeremy. We’ll leave now, but please realise we will be back tomorrow.’
    One by one the family left, until only Graham, Jenny, Alexander and Sally were sitting in the office. Sally still hadn’t spoken. She looked from Alexander to Graham and then toKemp, her hands clenched into a tight ball in her lap. Her smart but inexpensive skirt was starting to crease badly in the warmth of the office. Kemp decided to move matters along. He turned to Alexander.
    ‘You obviously need to know that this firm is the sole executor of your uncle’s will.’
    ‘So old Colin was right then, you are going to benefit nicely from all of this.’ Graham stood up as he spoke, trying to make himself more imposing by squaring rounded shoulders and thrusting out his bony chest. ‘Well, there’s one piece of business you won’t be able to rely on in future, and that’s mine. Come on, Jenny.’
    Alexander struggled to find words for his cousin, but before he had them ready, Graham was gone, leaving him alone with his wife in the solicitor’s office. Whilst he stared ahead, still in a daze, Sally spoke quietly with Kemp, then she took her husband’s arm firmly and guided him outside.
    ‘I think a nice cup of tea is called for,’ she said, and Kemp smiled gently at her retreating back.

CHAPTER TWO
    Jeremy Kemp had given his secretary strict instructions to keep a minimum of a half-hour gap between the Wainwright family meetings. The last thing he wanted was an impromptu gathering that might deteriorate into a brawl.
    Colin and Julia arrived first, without their children. It was an uncomfortable meeting that