Chapter 9

   After Old Wilson left, some people came out of the villa in uniforms. There were 4 women in maid's outfits and 2 men in uniforms. They introduced themselves as the villa's servants. The 2 men were the bulter and the chef. The 4 women were the housemaids and houekeeper. Rick and Debbie were then informed that other servants at the villa included a Head Gardener, a Head Stable boy, and a general maintenance crew. They all lived on site. This shocked Debbie and Rick. They had no idea there would be so many people around all of the time. But the more Rick thought about this, it was a good thing that there would be a buffer between he and Debbie and the outside world. Maybe this way, they could maintain a distance from people finding out who they really were.

   The rest of the weekend was spent settling in to their new home. There was much to explore just on their own property. Their favorite hangout spot became the pool and it's poolhouse. The poolhouse came equipped with a large screen TV, music system, wet bar, an outdoor kitchen and lounge areas around the pool. The pool was heated so it could be used all year round. Debbie and Rick could not be happier. The stable housed three very gentle horses, and Rick was excited to teach Debbie how to ride. The attached bunkhouse housed the outdoor staff.

   On Sunday night, Rick and Debbie had a decision to make. After all that had happened in the last few days, it finally dawned on them that they needn't work their old jobs anymore. So, what should they do now? As it turned out, Rick was a construction worker at a company that he now owned himself! It did not seem appropiate for him to continue to work this job. On the other hand, Debbie worked for her late father's company as an accountant. It really had nothing to do with any of the businesses that Rick now owned. Or so they thought. They were in a dilemma. So, Rick suggested calling Old Wilson to ask for advice. 

   Old Wilson was more than happy to consult with the couple. He came over as soon as he got Rick's call. He had been waiting for the chance to have a good talk with the couple, as he had been doing some research into various matters concerning Debbie's position and Rick's future. He had found some astonishing facts that he wanted to convey to them.

   When Old Wilson arrived, he found the couple sitting out by the pool. They asked him to join them in a drink to toast his loyalty and all of his hard work on their behalf. They were both indebted to Old Wilson, and did not ever want him to think that he was not appreciated.

   Old Wilson did not think of himself as a vain man, but he was flattered by their sincerity.

   Old Wilson cleared his throat and began.

   "The two of you are undergoing a hugh change in your status, your economic state as well as your personal growth. There are many aspects to these changes. One is that you now have access to information that you would otherwise never have suspected. By that I mean I was able to uncover things from your pasts that are relevant to you now. First, to Madame and her family. Were you aware how your father died? Do you know the circumstances?"

  Debbie was floored by this question. She had always assumed that her father had died of an illness. Now that she thought about it, she had never really been told much about her father's death, other than it happened shortly after she was born. She told all of this to Old Wilson and he continued.

   "Your father was murdered. I hate to say it so bluntly, but there it is. At the time, the police had no leads or any clues to just how it was done. But now things are different. I was able to piece together a few facts that may lead to the answers."

   "I started investigating the Blain family with the view to how it may pose a threat to Rick's businesses. Please forgive me for doing this behind your backs. I just needed to be sure that there was nothing to worry about from them. But what I have found is most unsettling. The Blain family have a lot of hidden intrique within itself. Brothers fighting against each other, sisters betraying sisters, and even fathers against sons. It turns out that the Blain family is a hotbed of vice and destruction all within itself. That brings me to the case of your father.

   "Bruce Blain was probably the most honest and respectable of the lot. He conducted his business with dignity and respect. His brothers were not so respectable. As the head accountant for the family, your father knew of all the dishonesty within the family. Of the 4 brothers, Bruce was the only one who never embezzled and cheated the firm. The other brothers knew that Bruce knew of all their dirty secrets and were afraid that he would expose them all. I believe that this is why he was killed. It was to make sure no one ever found out what really was going on in the family."

   Old Wilson was regretful having to say these things, but he was an honest person and would not leave out any detail. He looked over at Debbie and asked "What exactly is your position in the firm?"

   Debbie replied "I'm an accountant. I work on accounts recievable. It's all I've ever been allowed to work on. After my father died, my Uncle James was made head of the firm. He is my father's next youngest brother. The other 2 are Uncle Brad and the youngest is Uncle William. But Uncle James runs the firm on behalf of the Blain family. I've worked there since I was 16, during holidays and summer breaks from school. Once I graduated, I was given the position as Accounts Recievable Clerk."

   Old Wilson replied "Understood. Have you ever seen a copy of your father's will?"

   To which she answered "No, I never knew there was one."

   Old Wilson drew out a legal document and said "I have a copy of it here. It is very telling to what may have gone on back then. Shall I read it to you?"

   "Yes please!"

   This is the last will and testament of Bruce Blain.

   Having just been blessed with a baby girl, I wish to record my last will. I leave my firm in it's entirety to her, Debbie Blain. My house and other real property I leave jointly to my wife Lois and daughter Debbie. This is done with no pressure from outside forces. Although the firm is in the sole employment of my family, it is still my sole business. I wish my daughter to one day lead it on into the future.

Signed,

Bruce Blain

   Debbie was stunned. She had no idea that her Uncle had taken the company away from her without a single word. This was intolerable. Even with all of Rick's newfound wealth, the business was still by rights hers! But what could be done about it now? She put this question to Old Wilson.

   "As I said, things are different now. In the past, it would not have been worth it to fight it in court. But now you have Rick's vast wealth not to mention his lawyers behind you. If you want to fight this battle, I will do all I can to set things right. I have discovered that your Uncle James has been embezzling money not only from the family, but from your accounting firm as well. It is my belief that he is the one who either killed your father or had him killed. So I now ask you, do you want to go into this? It will be painful for you, but I think it worth it for you to avenge your father."

   Debbie had tears in her eyes as she considered all that Old Wilson had said. She looked up into Rick's eyes and said "Will you help me with this? Will you stand by me though this? I can't do it alone. Without you I am nothing."

   Rick gently took Debbie's hand and kissed her palm and said "I will always stand by you. Anything we do must be done together. We are strong only because of each other."

   Since it seemed to be decided, Old Wilson continued " There are other matters concerning your family Madame. One being your Mother. She is mixed up in all of this as well. This will be very difficult for you to hear. But I must be honest. She may have had a part in your father's death. Maybe not directly, but still she had a part to play. Are you ready for that?"

   Debbie said "I have always known that my mother was not a person of good character, so it is not surprising to me if she had a part in this. Disappointing as it is, but not surprising. I want everyone who had a part in Dad's death to be brought to justice!"

   Rick said at this time "So where do we start? Do we confront the Blain family directly, or do we work in the background first?"

   Old Wilson sat thoughtfully for a few moments before saying "I will start things off by going to see your lawyers tomorrow. I will tell them all I know and let them see all the evidence that I have gathered. They will know how to proceed. But I must warn you. This could get very messy for the two of you. We are talking about the Blain family and your mother. No telling where this may lead. Having done some research into your businesses I have found overlaps with the Blain family. You have joint cooperations with them in a number of areas. This is what brought me to find the wrongdoings of Madame's Uncle James. He has been cheating one of your shipping companies out of millions over the years. We must tread carefully so that he does not suspect that we are on to him yet. I will have our own accounting firm go over every transaction concerning this matter. We will get to the truth. If this is what you truly want."

   Rick said "Of course it is. We will not stand by and let a scoundrel and a cheat get by with this!"

    Old Wilson was getting a bit tired, but he was not done yet.