“Damn right, but it is money that will help you. I’ve spoken with Marie about this. Regarding the money we’ve discussed, you can use as much as you need to get your project working. When I’m out of here, I’ll help with the growing, investing, and selling. Be smart, boy. If you have too much, the damn feds will be on you before you know it.”
“Thank you, sir. But I can’t take Marie’s money.”
“I know your father thinks very little of her. But that woman is one mighty remarkable woman. She doesn’t care about the money. Just don’t let your father get to her. I’m an old man. It helps me to know she has you on the outside to take care of her, if things get too rough.”
“I will do that, sir.”
*****
As Anton walked in the shadows toward room 12 A, he thought about how rough things had become. He never expected this family feud to end this way, but he wasn’t completely surprised.
When he came to Santa Monica to visit his parents, Anton wanted to discuss the recent ruling successfully voiding Marie’s marriage. He wasn’t relishing the idea of listening to his parents’ victory speech.
Anton wanted to stop the law suit; he tried. By tolerating the ruling to pass, he felt he’d disappointed his grandfather. He’d hoped this visit could bring about a compromise. Samuel had made his point. Now that Marie was planning on appealing the decision, perhaps Samuel could allow her to proceed.
Anton never had the chance to talk to his father or his mother. When he entered their bungalow three days ago, he found them dead. Immediately, Anton knew Marie had made it there first.
Her rendition of events was not too farfetched, if you knew the history. According to Marie, she went to their home to talk. It was Samuel who exploded first. He ordered her off his property. When she refused and asked to explain, Amanda entered the conversation. Supporting her husband, she told Marie to leave. It was Marie’s second time to attempt this discussion. More than anything, she wanted to make them understand.
Marie was determined to talk until they listened. Amanda was the one to surprise Marie with a gun. Marie’s memories were fuzzy after that. There was a struggle. She didn’t intend to kill them, but once Samuel was shot, Marie knew if either lived, she’d be arrested. She couldn’t endure what Nathaniel had in prison; she just couldn’t. The combination of pent-up rage, years of degradation, fear and self-preservation all fueled Marie’s ability to stage the final scene. She knew the exuberance of the gun shots nullified the murder/suicide theory. Yet, Marie hoped the scene she staged would aid in that notion.
Next, Marie turned up their television and cleaned away evidence of their scuffle. Her finger prints were wiped away. By all accounts she was still in New York. She’d driven the three thousand miles in her own old Honda, using cash along the way. There were no records of her traveling to California. No one knew she was there, except Anton.
Opening the door of 12 A, Anton entered the small stale hotel room. The stench of old tobacco and bodily fluids filled Anton’s senses. It was enough to quench any desire he’d previously had of food. Nonetheless, he brought food from a local drive through. Placing the bag and cups on the small table, he said, “I brought this for you.”
“Anton, I want to get out of this dump. When will it be safe for me to leave?”
He paced the only space large enough to take more than three steps, near the end of the bed. He considered sitting; however, the filth and stains on the furniture quickly changed his mind. “A few more days. I’ve been talking to the police and making all the necessary arrangements. So far the neighbor, Chester, is cooperating. He made one statement that first night to some cop. After that, he conveniently forgot about my father’s sister’s visit.”
“It’s going to cost money to keep him quiet, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but I’ve negotiated. It won’t all be up front, more of a yearly settlement.”
“Did he agree?” Marie asked.
“I’m a very good negotiator. He understands -- sudden wealth brings questions. This will be mutually beneficial. Over time his payments will increase and it assures us of his future cooperation.”
Marie stood before Anton. He looked at the woman his grandfather loved. She looked so much older than three years his senior. Her tired gray eyes cried out in anguish over the events of the past few months. She’d lost her husband, her name, and now her money. Anton knew he could turn her in to the police and go on with his life. Marie knew that too.
“I will repay you for this.” She said, with her eyes lowered trying not to notice the grime on the worn carpet. Marie continued, “I know you are doing this for Nathaniel, not for me. But, I thank you.”
He lifted her chin; she was his grandfather’s wife. She needed to act as such. “You are right. And you are a Rawls; don’t ever look down like that. I am the one who failed him by not stopping my father’s law suit. I will not fail him again.”