Terry shrugged.
‘Oh, money will come. Once Dick convinces people he is genuine, money will roll in.’
‘But won’t you need money to get him to Paris?’
‘That’s no problem. After I had talked to him, he sold his bike to some rich creep who couldn’t wait six months for the next delivery. He got seven thousand dollars for it. No, money isn’t important. The important thing is to keep him thinking on the right lines and to make sure he uses his powers in the right way.’
‘You do realize he has done an evil thing and that he is also a thief?’
Terry smiled.
‘But no longer.’
‘Are you quite sure people will need a boy like Dick?’
‘Of course, but why discuss it? I can see you don’t understand. I suppose I am an oddball but I like influencing people. I like putting ideas into their minds. Quite often those ideas grow rewardingly.’
Again Helga shifted ground.
‘Why did you come to Nassau?’
Terry looked directly at her.
‘I wanted a close-up of you. I was curious to see the woman my father married.’
‘I can understand that. I hope you are now satisfied.’
‘Yes, I am. Frankly, I was sorry for you, but not now. I am pleased that after putting up with my father for what must have seemed an interminable time, you have finally won through.’
Helga stared at her.
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘You love all the trappings that go with money, don’t you? There are very few women who could take on the role of Mrs. Herman Rolfe as well as you do. If anyone deserves my father’s money and who can handle it as it should be handled, it’s you. You’ve worked hard enough.’
This was so unexpected that Helga had to look away. Finally, steadying her voice, she said, ‘Yes, I have worked for it, but I have also cheated. I have something here for you to read.’
She drew the red folder from under her cushion and handed it to Terry.
The girl looked sharply at her, then opened the folder and took out Rolfe’s letter.
‘You want me to read this?’
‘Yes, please.’
Helga got to her feet and wandered down to the swimming pool. Well, this is it, she thought, I’ve done the correct thing. I shall regret it, but at least, I can wear a brass halo.
After a while, she came back and sat down. Terry had put the red folder on the table.
They looked at each other.
‘Congratulations,’ Helga said. ‘You can now buy your Guru a Rolls without the support of the people.’
‘This is old hat.’ Terry flicked the red folder. ‘Dick read it and told me about it. That was when he was so un-educated he even suggested we married and he would get rid of you and share all my father’s money with me.’ She laughed. ‘I soon put that right.’
Helga stared at her.
‘So he was going to be a murderer as well as a thief and a blackmailer.’
‘That’s right. He is a primitive.’ Terry smiled, shaking her head. ‘That’s why I find him so intriguing. All that is in the past.’
Helga gave up.
‘Well, anyway, you are now a millionairess. How does it feel?’
Terry again shook her head.
‘I am disappointed in you. I was under the impression you were highly intelligent. I wouldn’t touch a dime of my father’s money. If I could earn a million it just might give me a kick, but not otherwise.’ She smiled. ‘It would be fun to try, but of course, it will never happen. No. I don’t want the million.’
Regarding her, Helga realized with a sense of shock this girl meant what she was saying.
‘If you don’t want the money now, you may later. I will ask Winborn to put it in trust for you.’
‘You will do nothing of the kind! Now listen to me!’ Terry’s eyes had turned angry. ‘You were only married to my father for a few years. I had to live with him for twenty years. I loathed him. He was a mean, narrow-minded, soulless machine with a sadistic streak in him that made him as ruthless as a dictator! He treated my mother shamefully. He hadn’t a spark of kindness nor understanding in him. He made me sick to my stomach and I walked out on him as soon as my mother died. She was one of the old-fashioned fools who stick to their men no matter how they are treated. I call myself Terry Shields because I can’t stand the sound of his name. I repeat: I would rather starve to death than take a dime of his rotten money!’
Shocked, Helga stared at her.
‘But you can’t...’
‘Hear me out!’ Terry’s voice rose. ‘I am only going to his funeral because I don’t want to hurt Hinkle. He imagines in his kind, out-of-this-world way that I was fond of my father. Without Hinkle I don’t think my mother nor I would have been able to endure the misery of living with Herman Rolfe. From what you have said, it seems you intend to give this letter to Winborn. If you do, then I am really and truly disappointed in you. This letter was written by a sadistic-ego-maniac! If you tell me you couldn’t live with your conscience if you didn’t obey his mean death wish, then I say you are trying to make a martyr of yourself and I assure you, you don’t fit the role of a martyr. Remember this: the dead can’t care. It is the living who matter.’ She got to her feet. ‘I hope very soon to be reading about the fabulous Mrs. Herman Rolfe doing fabulous things and having the time of her life.’ She smiled: a wide, friendly smile. ‘See you in church,’ and turning, she walked across the patio and down to the beach.
Motionless, Helga watched her until she was out of sight.
‘I overheard the last part of the conversation, madame,’ Hinkle said as he came forward with a cocktail shaker and a glass on a tray. ‘As I have already observed: a remarkable young person with character.’ He placed the tray on the table and then poured the drink.
As Helga watched him, he picked up the red folder.
‘As you won’t be needing this, madame,’ he said smoothly, ‘I suggest I consign it to the incinerator.’
Helga reached for the drink.
‘Your suggestions are always sound, Hinkle.’
‘I like to think so, madame.’ He paused. ‘Perhaps an omelette for dinner?’
‘That would be lovely.’
She watched him walk away, carrying the red folder and she relaxed back in her chair.
At last the magic key was hers!