Final Venture

'Drug? I didn't know Dad recommended any drug?'

'Yes,' said Carl. 'It's a new drug for Alzheimer's they're testing.'

'Is it neuroxil-5?' Lisa asked. 'Made by a company called BioOne?'

'That's right.'

'Does it work?' I asked.

'It seems to. She's been taking it for seven months now, and it looks like things have stabilized. She doesn't seem to be getting any worse. She had to take something called a Mini-Mental State exam, and they'll check her again in a few months to see how she's doing.'

'That's good news,' I said.

'I've seen some of the other patients at the clinic,' Carl went on. 'It's scary. Some of them have forgotten everything. Who their spouse is, where they live, their children. They get really angry and frustrated. One woman said her husband had lost his smile. I pray that never happens to Zoe.'

He glanced across to where his wife was talking to Frank's old friend, laughing at a shared memory. I, too, hoped that neuroxil-5 worked.

The next morning, Lisa, her mother, brother and I all set off downtown for Frank's lawyer's office to discuss his will. As we waited in the law firm's smart reception area, an uneasy silence settled on us. Up to this moment, none of us had talked about Frank's legacy. Other things had seemed more important. We all knew he was wealthy: it had seemed in bad taste to discuss how wealthy he had been, and how wealthy we were going to be. The thought had probably not even occurred to Lisa. Eddie in particular seemed nervous, his long fingers played with the teaspoon by his cup. Lisa looked calm and Ann had an air of studied indifference.

After five minutes, the lawyer bustled in. His name was Bergey. He was a balding portly man, with a mild face, but intelligent eyes. He introduced himself and led us through to his office.

'Thank you all for coming in to see me today,' he said, having seated everyone round a table. 'I'm speaking to you in my capacity as Mr Cook's executor. Now, ordinarily I would simply mail a letter to the beneficiaries of a will, but in this case, I thought it made sense to take advantage of you all being in the same place at once, and explain the will in person.'

Bergey seemed nervous. Nervous and serious. He had our attention.

'First, Mr Cook held an insurance policy of three hundred thousand dollars, which is to be divided equally between his former wife and two children.' He smiled quickly at us, and cleared his throat. I had the impression we were coming to the tricky bit.

'Second, the will. It's actually very straightforward.' He looked down at the papers in front of him. 'Mr Cook's estate goes in its entirety to Elizabeth Rebecca Cook, his daughter. The value of the estate is difficult to determine at the moment, since so much of it comprises the carried interest in funds managed by Revere Partners. But excluding that, it should be at least four million dollars. As always, it will take a while for the probate process to run its course.'

He looked round the table nervously. We were all watching Eddie.

You could see the anger boiling up inside him. He grasped the teaspoon he had been fiddling with so tightly his knuckles were white. He glanced quickly at all of us, and then addressed Bergey. 'He can't do that can he? He can't leave everything to just one of his children?'

'I'm sorry to say that he can,' the lawyer replied. 'Of course, you will receive the hundred thousand dollars from the life insurance policy'

'Yes, but his estate will be worth millions. I have a right to half of that.'

'I can well understand your concern, Mr Cook. But I drew up your father's will myself. He made it after careful consideration. He was quite clear in his intention, which was to leave his entire estate to his daughter.'

'How could he do that to me?' protested Eddie. 'Did he tell you why he cut me out?'

'No, he didn't do that,' said Bergey.

We all looked away. We knew why Frank had ignored his son in death. It was because his son had ignored him in life.

'You're behind this aren't you?' I continued looking at my hands. 'Yes, you, Simon. You're behind it.'

I glanced up at him. I hadn't realized Eddie was talking to me. 'What?'

'Eddie,' his mother put her hand on his sleeve.

'No, Mom. You should have gotten something too. You stood by him for all those years before he walked out on you. You deserve something from that.'

'I'm perfectly comfortable moneywise,' Ann protested mildly. 'Frank knew that.'

'OK. But what about me? Simon, you stole my inheritance from under my nose.'

'How do you get that idea?'

'I've seen how you worked your way into Dad's favours. Getting the job at Revere, getting Lisa, being the perfect son-in-law. You kissed his ass and it worked!'

Given the deterioration of my relationship with Frank before he died, the irony of this comment made me smile. Big mistake.

'Oh, you just go right ahead and laugh about it. Just go ahead and deposit that fat cheque. It's pretty funny'

'I'm sorry, Eddie,' I said. 'But Frank didn't consult me about his will, I can assure you of that.'

'Yeah, but you and Lisa spent so much time with him,' now he turned on his sister. 'The only reason he cut me out is because I stood by Mom. He should never have left us. I didn't go running to him. That's why I didn't get any of his money'

Lisa looked shocked. She had viewed this meeting as just an administrative item that had to be got through before her family went back to California.

'Eddie, I loved him,' she said. 'I don't want his stupid money.'

'Oh, yeah, you loved him. Never mind Mom. And he…' he jabbed a finger in my direction,'he will love his money.'

I could watch Eddie attacking me with something close to amusement. But not Lisa. 'Eddie…' I growled.

'No, Simon,' Lisa put her hand on mine. 'I really don't care about the money' She turned to the lawyer. 'Mr Bergey. Isn't there any way I can renounce half of it? Give it to Eddie?'

'Hm,' the lawyer frowned. 'You do have the right to renounce all or part of your inheritance, up to nine months after the date of death. Your renunciation would not necessarily direct the funds to your brother, since he is not a named default in the will. So the funds would be disposed under the laws of intestacy, which means…' he paused, thinking it through, 'that since you have no issue, Edward Cook would be the next in line after all.'

'Great,' said Lisa. 'Let's do it.'

Bergey cleared his throat. 'I strongly suggest that you think carefully before you decide to take that course. After all, we are talking about Mr Cook's estate here. He was very clear that he wanted everything to go to you.'

Lisa glanced at Eddie. 'I'm sure it's what I want. But I'll think it over if you like. Perhaps I can see you next week, and we can figure out a way of getting this done?'

'Very well,' said Bergey.

Eddie breathed in. He smiled at Lisa. 'Thank you,' he said.

Lisa smiled quickly back. But a few minutes later, as we all got up to leave the room, I caught Eddie glaring at me.

I was eager to get back to the office while Lisa took the other two to the airport. I was looking forward to a dose of normality.

It was with relief that I immersed myself in the problems of Net Cop and Tetracom. But I was soon disturbed by a summons from Gil.

He sat me down on his sofa and poured me a cup of coffee.

'Thank you for coming in today, Simon. I know you must have a lot on your plate at home, but we can definitely use you here. There's plenty to do, and Frank leaves a big hole.'

'It's no problem. It's good to have the distraction, to be honest.'

'I'm sure,' said Gil sympathetically. 'How's Lisa?'

'Not great,' I said.

'No. It must be bad for her. And you?'

'Not too good, either. I just wish Frank and I had parted on better terms.'

'Don't beat yourself with that, Simon. Frank thought very highly of you. He told me so on many occasions. And although he's gone, I won't forget his opinions. They were always worth listening to.'