― Amit Kalantri
Immediately upon leaving Elias, I drove straight to Luther Crowe's law office to inform him about on-going threats from Ray Hull and possibly Arthur Reid.
"I'm not surprised," he remarked. after hearing me out. "I just found out about the 'urban renewal' project Arthur was floating to the town council. It seems he had little of his own skin in the game and from what I heard he was relying upon a substantial cash infusion from an unnamed donor―probably you. The locals weren't happy about erecting a 25 floor condominium tower overlooking the harbour and Arthur was taking a lot of heat for it anyway. He may transfer his anger towards you now that it's fallen through."
I shook my my head sadly. "I guess I was more out of the loop than I thought. Wonder how many other projects he invested in using my money."
"Well, don't worry, Son―that's why you have me and why I retained a good forensic accounting firm. We've got your back in more ways than one. I'll have a little chat with both men, off record of course, and let them know I'm on to them. That should back them off for now."
I thanked Luther profusely but he simply smiled humbly and clasped my hand warmly encouraging me to hold my head high and carry on.
I left him with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.
It had been a long time since anyone called me Son and I realized how much i missed my father's steadying influence, dim as my recollection of that was. Still, part of me remembered because there was a hole inside me only he could fill.
I glanced at the clock and realized I just had time to make it to the library by five to meet up with Nat and together the two of us would drop by the Lightbourne's house to pick up Clare.
I was looking forward to introducing Nat and Clare and knew the two of them would hit it off, but was still apprehensive about telling them they might be in danger because of me.
At least, I'd be able to reassure them Luther was involved but I knew that even if the warning proceeded to a court order that alone wouldn't stop someone as reckless as Ray Hull.
But I still considered it a good sign I was now taking back control of my life and finances.
And if necessary, I'd hire personal bodyguards if that's what it took to protect myself and those I loved.
Nat was chatty as usual all the way to Lightbourne's but when he met Clare and heard about her accident he asked her a ton of questions seemingly unable to get over the parallels between her head trauma and mine.
"You two are fated to be together," he concluded.
His remark caused Clare and I to become somber as we both realized the depth of our connection to one another.
Our reflective mood was lightened, however, when we walked in the restaurant and saw Nat's eyes light up when he gazed at the salad bar and the buffet tables beyond filled with a stunning array of food.
I decided to save my more somber news for later, and not spoil the festive delights of dinner.