Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As Scott sat back down, Harlan Garrett placed his grandson’s brandy in front of him as if moving a chess piece on a board.
Knight to king’s bishop three.
“Sir, I was just as shocked when learning of Fletcher’s decision to transfer the trustee of his estate to me when you were the designated one all these years. Implying that I had something to do with that decision is unfair. To threaten legal action is uncalled for. In my opinion, your brother is smiling from his grave knowing he has driven one more wedge between us.”
“De mortuis nihil nisi bonum, Scott”
“Don’t speak ill of the dead. Yes, I still remember my Latin.”
“And then you should remember how disappointed I am when you show disrespect.”
Scott lowered his eyes and nodded. “My apologies, Sir.”
Harlan sipped his brandy while moving his next invisible chess piece. “I understand Kinsey arrived in California under false pretenses.”
“Excuse me?”
“My understanding, Scotty, is that Kinsey lied to her parents to gain the finances necessary for her passage to California.”
Scott closed his eyes. Queen to King’s Rook Five. Stay three moves ahead.
Scott decided perhaps the brandy in front of him was indeed needed. “Yes, Kinsey lied to her parents. In fact, she lied to me as well, however, once she admitted her unfortunate decision, I addressed it. We have since come to terms with her reasoning and Murdoch has corresponded with Kinsey’s mother.”
“Yes, I know. Eleanor has mentioned it in her letters.”
“Sir, I find it difficult to believe you are in touch with Kinsey’s mother.”
Harlan smiled. “The Good Sisters of Mercy in Sacramento.” The grandfather let out a snort and produced a genuine laugh. “Scotty, forgive me. Just saying it I find amusing.”
Scott produced a slight smile of his own. “I suffer from the same problem.”
For a moment silence feel between the two chess players.
“Grandson, I’m uncertain if Eleanor understands how dangerous the land is that her daughter now calls home." Before Scott could respond, his grandfather moved another chess piece. “I am confident she knows nothing of Kinsey’s escapades with mud holes, ostriches…and perhaps your half brother.”
“Sir, I strongly request you leave my brother, Johnny, out of this discussion.”
“Of course, Scotty. It is now my turn to apologize to you. I’m an old man grandson. Can you fault me for reaching out to my only niece knowing my brother drove her away? She desired to hold on to whatever family ties she had left. I gave her the means to do so. Now, I think perhaps it’s my duty to provide for Eleanor all the details of her daughter’s stay in California. Any mother would want to know she’s made the right decision for her daughter’s well-being.”
His king was in check. “Kinsey and I need to leave.” Before he could formulate his next move, Scott observed his grandfather retrieve his own pocket watch to place in front of his grandson.
“Scotty. It appears you have missed your train.”
Checkmate.
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