The Contract Page 5

  “You may have some objections to a few things I plan on doing in the near future, Miss Richardson.”

  Trying to lighten the somber mood Sally asked, “When are you going to start calling me Sally, Jason? I am not that much older than you.”

  Jason smiled. “Perhaps when I am eighteen, Miss Richardson. Perhaps then.”

  “Okay. Now, about what I might object to? I have found very little of what you have done in the past to be objectionable, Jason.

  “Despite Jack’s guardianship this past year or so, you have managed, very effectively, that part of the legacy your father left you that came under your control at age thirteen. I have no doubts you will do as well as the other inheritances come under your control when you turn sixteen, then eighteen and finally twenty-one.

  “I know Lawrence has tried to convince you to do things his way. You have not succumbed.”

  “No. That really has not been a problem. This situation, however, is going to be difficult. Mr. Lawrence is going to feel slightly threatened by what I plan. And, considering his personality, he will try to cause trouble, just to cause trouble.”

  “Jason, what are you planning? I am totally lost here.”

  “I plan to marry Sara Lee sometime in the future.”

  “Jason! You are only fifteen!”

  “Not the immediate future, Miss Richardson.” Jason smiled ruefully. And Sara does not know about my intentions yet. I think she would strongly object to the subject being broached. Actually, she is quite upset with me at the moment.”

  “But you have already done so much for her!”

  Jason again smiled. “Exactly.”

  “Oh. I see,” Sally said.

  “I do believe you are far too young to be thinking of marriage… Though for you…” Sally shook her head. “Never mind. What is it exactly you plan on asking me to do that you think I will find objectionable?”

  “Draw up papers to turn over the administration of the Henderson Projects to Jack Lawrence until my eighteenth birthday. Twenty thousand a year administration fee and five percent of the profits.”

  Sally’s mouth dropped open. “No, Jason! You cannot give that slug that part of your inheritance! Your father would turn over in his grave.”

  “So you do find this objectionable?” Jason asked with yet another small smile.

  “This? Yes. Very objectionable. And Jason, it is not the loss of the administration fee. Really. Giving him that… It is like knuckling under… That does not sound like you.”

  “I will not tell you, for several reasons, what my return will be in this transaction, Miss Richardson. I do have my reasons. And will achieve a goal. Something very important to me.”

  “Jason, think about this. Please,” Sally said.

  “I have. I know you would not do anything unethical. And if you feel that this is, I do have a couple more options. But the Henderson Projects are inviolate. He cannot actually take any control the way they are set up. All he can do is sign off on the recommendations of the board, or not, and send them back for re-evaluation. But he will not. They make a tremendous profit every quarter. He gets a small piece of the action, and will be constantly looking for a way to actually get control. That gives me a little over two years to accomplish… something. He so believes his superiority that it will not occur to him that he is wasting time when he could be interfering with me.”

  Sally had to smile at Jason’s explanation. “You think that will be enough to keep him busy? From the sound of it, your plans may cause him more than a little aggravation.” She frowned slightly. “And me.”

  “I do have several more cards I can, and will play, as the need arises. Will you give me the benefit of the doubt, Miss Richardson? And not to influence you, but I never intended to withdraw the administration fee from you for the Henderson Projects. You will be administrator again when I turn eighteen. I need you to maintain an ongoing knowledge of the situation so there will be no problem for you, or me, when you again take things over.”

  “Jason, I cannot draw a fee for something I am not doing.”

  Jason shrugged. “Change the description. As a matter of fact, add an additional five percent to the fee since it will be more difficult to maintain the information flow with Mr. Lawrence in the loop."

  “Jason…” Sally scolded.

  “See why Sara is upset with me?” Jason asked.

  “Yes!” She smiled for a moment, then said, “You realize, that as trustee, the Commodore will have to approve this. I doubt he will.”

  “You might be right. I intend to convince him.”

  Sally closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then released it with a sigh. “Very well, Jason. I hope you know what you are doing.”

  “Thank you, Miss Richardson.”

  “One thing, Jason,” she said as they moved to the door.

  Jason stopped and turned to face her when she stopped with her hand on the doorknob. “I honestly believe you would never intentionally hurt Sara Lee. You do not have it in you. But this idea of marriage… Young women can be hurt very easily when it comes to matters of the heart.”

  “I know, Miss Richardson.”

  Jason turned toward the door, expecting Sally to open it.

  Before she did, she looked at Jason a long time. Then said, “Jason, so can young men.”

  He simply smiled. “I am immune, Miss Richardson. I have no expectations, therefore I cannot be disappointed or hurt.”

  Sally did not reply. She opened the door and left.

  “Mr. Lawrence, I think we can have that little talk now.”

  “It is about time. I do not like to be kept waiting, young man. As your guardian, I think I may have to institute some type of stricter discipline.”

  “Yes, sir,” Jason replied, closing the door as Lawrence moved to one of the two chairs at the table.

  “I am waiting for the apology, Jason,” he said.

  Jack Lawrence did not recognize the feral look in Jason’s eyes for what it was. “No, sir. There will be no apology to you. I may have to extract one from you to Miss Lee, but I may let that slide if you agree to a couple of terms, right now.”

  “Now look here!” Jack Lawrence stood. He was thin, but he was very tall. He towered over Jason.

  Jason did not flinch nor step back. He looked up into Jack’s face and said, “You are my legal guardian, Mr. Lawrence. That gives you certain responsibilities. But I have a very good attorney in Miss Richardson. You and I both know your power over me is quite limited.

  “Now, I have a proposition for you that I think you will find quite lucrative.”

  “You have no idea of the grief I can cause you, you little twerp! Your mother has given me carte blanche in my dealings with you.”

  “No she has not. You have power of attorney and a signed release to make medical decisions. You cannot interfere in my schooling, or my home life to any great degree. And that is all I have at the moment. So do not try to use scare tactics with me.

  “You can complicate a few things for me. I have means around them. I prefer not to use those means. If you do not complicate those few things, you will have the administration of the Henderson Projects at a twenty thousand a year administration fee plus five percent of the profits each year until I turn eighteen.”

  “The Henderson Projects!” Jack Lawrence had been incensed when he discovered that part of the estate had not been left to Abigail.

  His eyes narrowed as he looked at Jason. “Just what things would I have to not complicate.”

  “Mrs. Lee and Miss Lee. You do not interfere in any way with their actions, or my actions toward them. In fact, I may need you to do me a favor or two in that regard.”

  Lawrence belted out a laugh. “Me do you a favor! You have to be delirious!”

  “Oh, for certain considerations, of course,” Jason replied softly.

  “What considerations?” The question was eager.

  “Something mutually agreeable at the time of the favor, if, in fact, I d
o need to request one. Do we have… an understanding, Mr. Lawrence? Miss Richardson is already working on the transfer papers.”

  Lawrence studied Jason for several long moments. Finally, he smiled a feral smile of his own. No youngster could possibly put anything over on him. Here was a chance to make a large amount of money, with the probability of acquiring totally the equivalent of a king’s ransom.

  “I see no real problem with this,” Lawrence said carefully. “I will, of course, need to keep your mother apprised of all situations concerning you.”

  “Of course,” Jason replied, surprising Lawrence. He had expected the youth to beg to keep his mother in the dark about… everything.

  Lawrence started for the door.

  “Just one more thing, Mr. Lawrence,” Jason said. “Do not refer to Miss Lee in any manner except a respectful one. I will take it personally if you do.”

  Jack Lawrence felt a tremor in his spine at the cold implied threat.

  He laughed it off. “You take things too seriously, Jason. Of course I will refer to the young lady with respect. I was just needling you last night. It is so easy to do.”

  Jason knew by Lawrence’s flustered response that he had taken the admonition to heart.

  “Well, two of four,” Jason muttered to himself as he hurried to find Sara Lee and her mother. “We shall see how the other two elements turn out.”

  “Number four not very well,” he muttered to himself as he stood in the back-ground while Manuel LeGarza and Sara tried to reason with Mrs. Lee.

  Jason could see the strain reflected in Sara’s eyes, face and posture.

  “Could I speak with you for a moment?” Jason suddenly asked Sara.

  “Please, not now! I have to…”

  “I might be able to help…” Jason said softly.

  “I do not want any more of your help! I just want my mother out of jail so we can leave this city! I hate it here!”

  Jason stood calmly, arms hanging at his sides.

  Finally Sara looked at his face, knowing she had little choice but to accept Jason’s help once again. He had been there every time she needed something for the last thirty-six hours.

  “I will find a way to pay you back for all of this!”

  Jason was not sure if it was a promise or a threat. Neither was Sara.

  “Okay,” Sara said, defeated. “What can you do?”

  “I cannot get involved directly. You heard what Miss Richardson said. But if having a job and a place to live will help, assure Mr. LeGarza that you mother has both. She can work at the house in some capacity. And live there, of course.”

  “That will help, but the bail…” Sara’s eyes filled with tears. “She is considered a flight risk. How can the judge think that?”

  “You will have enough for the bail. It will be here within an hour. How much?”

  Sara told him. Jason did not even blink. He opened his cell phone and called Candy.

  “Done. What else?”

  Sara closed her eyes, hard, for long moments. “The job… It will help with the case, I know, from what Mr. LeGarza said, but…”

  Jason had seen Sara cry, several times. But her lower lip began to tremble. “Mother is an… an entertainer. I do not know if she will actually take a job as a maid or something. She… She…”

  Very gently Jason said, “All that matters at the moment is to get her home with you. Take care of that. The rest can wait. You are smart and resourceful. You will think of something. You have been for months… years now. You can do it again.”

  Sara looked at Jason with an expression of surprise. How could he know?

  She did not respond but turned to talk to Manuel LeGarza. As she explained what could be done he looked toward Jason. Jason stepped backwards through the door, just out of sight and waited for Candy.

  He did not have long to wait. “Master Jason, Mrs. MacDougal almost did not give me the money. She wants assurances that you know what you are doing. She said.”

  Jason smiled faintly. “Call her and tell her the two rooms are still required. Miss Lee has not yet had a chance to extract her vengeance as Mrs. MacDougal suggested she do. We cannot deny her that opportunity, can we?”

  “Do you really want me to tell her that?”

  Jason smiled more broadly. “Yes. It will give her something to concentrate on while she makes things ready. She will make sure Mrs. Lee and Miss Lee are comfortable without thinking too much on it, while she decides how to deal with my behavior.”

  “You are braver than I,” Candy said, stepping away and lifting the phone to her face.

  “Not really,” Jason said under his breath. Mrs. MacDougal had already taken Sara Lee under her wing.

  “I am glad I am not in your shoes,” Candy told Jason, folding the cellular phone and replacing it in the carrier on her belt.

  “Candy, the next few hours may be difficult. I assure you that I will compensate you for your… Just help Miss Lee in any way you can. I am going to get my bike and go home. I think things will be easier for Miss Lee if I am not in her sight for a while.

  “Oh. Please make sure she does not forget her school books and things.”

  Jason made a long detour on the way home. He stopped at the cemetery and sat beside the headstones of his parents’ graves. Jason did not cry, but he sat with knees up, arms wrapped around them. His chin rested on his knees and he rocked back and forth for a long time.

  He finally got on his bicycle and pedaled home. He arrived amidst the hustle and bustle of Mrs. Lee and Sara’s arrival.

  Jason put away his things. He saw Mrs. MacDougal give him a stern, disproving glance. He went into the kitchen and talked to Duchess for a few moments, then found and talked to each of the rest of the staff. He knew he would be talking to Mrs. MacDougal later. For sure.

  He went into the entry hall. Sara was talking to Mrs. MacDougal. Jason walked up and heard Sara say, “She just wants something in her room. I hate to ask…”

  “No matter, child,” Mrs. MacDougal said softly. “Your mother has been through an ordeal. Rest assured we will take good care of her here.” She looked over at Jason, then back at Sara. “For as long as she needs.”

  “You did not tell her, did you?” Sara asked Jason.

  “Not yet,” Jason replied to Sara. He turned to Mrs. MacDougal. “I told them that Mrs. Lee would have a job here. She needs a job and a residence to help her clear up the problem.”

  “I will help, too. No wage. To help defray the costs of…” Sara spoke quickly.

  “You will do no such thing!” Mrs. MacDougal said. “You are a guest. I will not…”

  “Mrs. MacDougal, I need to see you in the study immediately,” Jason said quietly.

  Sara was amazed at the look that came over Mrs. MacDougal face. “Yes, Master Jason.”

  Jason turned to Sara. “Ask Duchess for whatever your mother would like. You are welcome to eat with your mother, in your room, or in the dining room. I will be in to dine in a short while.”

  Sara simply nodded.

  When Jason and Mrs. MacDougal entered the study and Jason had closed the doors, Maggie MacDougal let her Scottish anger flare.

  “Young Man, I will not be talked to in my own home, in front of a guest, no less, in the manner in which you just did!”

  “Yes, Ma’am. I apologize. But Mrs. MacDougal, I could not let you continue. Sara Lee is a very proud young woman. She is under a great strain. She hates being obligated. Though neither of us, nor any of the staff have or would make her feel obligated. She does that herself.”

  Jason hung his head and sighed. He lifted his eyes to Mrs. MacDougal and continued, “I have talked to the rest of the staff, though I would like you to do so as well after we finish this discussion. I believe that Sara Lee is going to have to deal with even more in the very near future. I would very much like your help, and the help of the rest of the staff to ease the situation for Miss Lee.

  “That is going to be very difficult in and of itself, not only
because of the severity of the problems themselves, but of her need to not be obligated.

  “I know I am going to be asking a very great deal of everyone… If you would assure them that anyone that wishes to not be put in a position to have to deal with this, that they can take a personal leave, at full pay, until the situation is resolved.”

  Jason met Mrs. MacDougal’s probing eyes. “That includes you, Mrs. MacDougal. I know there are going to be situations that will make you uncomfortable. I do not want you to feel obligated to go against your feelings.”

  “Sit down, please,” Mrs. MacDougal said gently, seeing the anguish in the young man.

  When Jason had taken one of the club chairs she took the other, facing him.

  “I knew your Grandfather McKindrick, and your father. They were two of the finest men I have ever been privileged to know. I feel that you will be their equal in every way. This situation… Are you sure about this? About your feelings for this young lady? I do understand the wants and needs of young people. I had my own, when I was your age. I also know that if anyone your age knows and understands those feelings, it is you. I feel, correctly or not, a responsibility to you to provide as much guidance as I possibly can.”

  “Thank you for your confidence, Mrs. MacDougal. I have never found fault with your guidance, even when it involved discipline. I doubt I will ever be anything like my ancestors, though I do try. Be that as it may, I am determined to see this situation through, no matter how long it may take. I just cannot ask anyone to do the same.”

  Mrs. MacDougal nodded after studying Jason’s face for a long time.

  “I will inform the others. I believe, that like I, they will reject your offer. You will, instead, be subjected to intense requests for clarification if we feel the need for further information. About anything you do in the future, until, as you put it, this situation is resolved.”

  Then she dropped her head. “And I do know I work here. It is not my home, just…”

  “No,” Jason said, “This is your home. I would never speak to you like that… I just had to, this time. She is hurting so… I have to find a way to let her get some of her own back. I just do not know how.”

  Fierce pride in her charge filled her. This place had felt like her home for years. Jason meant every word he had said. It was her home.