CHAPTER IV – Family concerns

Edgar Kroes always felt uncomfortable whenever he had to visit Elwood. It wasn’t a social visit, but then again, it never was.

The Dunhams were a wealthy but very reserved family. In fifty years since they’ve moved to Emerald bay, not once were they seen mingling with the locals. If they wanted something, they would simply pay up some carefully chosen people to run their errands or do their biddings, and all that was done through Edgar’s office.

Edgar didn’t mind. They paid him well enough for his services, making him the most successful attorney in town. So eccentricity was something the Dunham’s could easily afford, and eccentric they were. But questioning was not his job, nor was he encouraged to do so. He was only there to provide satisfactory answers, and so he did.

After being politely greeted by the butler, at the mansion’s front door, he was guided to Silas Dunham office where he patiently waited.

“Mr. Kroes.” A calm voice came from behind him. “I trust you have interesting information for me.”

Edgar Kroes turned around to face Silas Dunham. He considered Silas to be a tall, elegant man who transmitted such a feeling of detachment that almost made him look inhuman. It was that look that bothered Edgar, but it just did not bother him enough to decide to cease all dealings with, simply, the most important family in town.

“Mr. Dunham…” Edgar Kroes began, while taking some documents out of his briefcase. “ As specifically requested, your son no longer works for the Shipyard Fisherman’s company, and your family is now the proud owner of a fishing company. “

“I see…” Silas softly let out, taking the paper folder that was being handed out to him. “Has he found another occupation yet?” he calmly asked while going through the papers of his newest  acquisition.

“Sir…” Edgar started as if finding the question a bit confusing “I don’t think he has had the time to…” He stopped talking when Silas’ grey eyes focused on him.

“You don’t think…” Silas repeated with a certain sarcasm lingering in is voice.

“Sir… It is difficult to keep your son from finding a new job.” Edgar tried to explain to him.

“Yes… If my memory doesn’t fail me, you used that same argument the last time we had this conversation.” Silas calmly stated. “And yet we’ve been able to largely diminish his sense of entrepreneurship.”

“But sir…” Edgar countered. “Wouldn’t it be easier…” and cheaper he thought to himself “if you tried to talk to him, and ask him to come back?”

“Mr. Kroes, I don’t want him to come back.” Silas replied in an expressionless manner. “I want him desperate, and in pain, and then I want him to beg to be accepted back among his family, among his own kind”.

“Mr. Dunham…” Edgar started saying.” It is…”

“We’re done with this particular topic Mr. Kroes.” Silas interrupted, concluding the conversation on that matter. “Any relevant news on Ms.Cooper’s property?”

“Yes.” Edgar replied, quite relieved for the change of topics. “Ms. Cooper’s nieces have moved in today. I don’t think they’ll be causing you any trouble.”

Silas sighed deeply as if he was starting to get annoyed with the attorney. “Again, you don’t think... Well, don’t you think that I might have liked to know that the old woman had nieces to begin with?”

“I am sorry Mr. Dunham… “Edgar Kroes apologized. “I didn’t think it was relevant information.”

“No. You didn’t think.” Silas agreed for the first time.

“I thought that since the old lady died, you were no longer interested in her property.”

“And why would I no longer be interested in the property?” Silas decided to ask. “Because my son would have no one else to turn to?”

“Well…” Edgar agreed with a nod thinking that would be the normal conclusion.

“Mr. Kroes, your reasoning is a hymn of astonishment to every common mortal.” Silas commented. 

“You are dismissed for now. I will let you know when I’ll need your services again.”

“Of course Mr. Dunham.” Edgar Kroes nodded in agreement before letting himself out.

Silas Dunham stood in his office considering about his next step. He had not counted on Alice Cooper having nieces wanting to move in to that house. Not that it mattered much. If there was one thing he had learnt in these fifty years was that money solved most of this town’s problems.

“Father…” a soft toned voice called him.

“Elladan.” He answered without a second thought.

“Dominic.” The young man corrected him with a warm smile upon his lips.

“Of course. Dominic.” Silas agreed to the correction.

“You look troubled. “ Dominic said. “Disturbing news about brother?”

“No.” Silas replied. “That matter was taken care of, for the time being.”

“I see. Should we expect him soon?” Dominic asked.

“No. Not yet.” Silas replied sitting on the office’s sofa. “But your brother will come.” He paused. “My concern now lays on Alice’s property.”

Dominic sat on the chair of front of his father. “The woman is dead. I do not understand why it should cause us any concern.”

“True” Silas agreed. “Yet, she had nieces, and those nieces have moved to her house.”

“Certainly, a minor matter.” Dominic said, trusting his father would have an idea on how to solve such a small disturbance.

“Indeed.” Silas agreed again.

“Do you require my assistance father?” He asked.

“No my son. I see no point in having you exposed to the curiosity and the gossiping of these people, nor do I see any advantage in raising your brother’s suspicion.” Silas explained. “I’ll have our faithful attorney handling this little hindrance. It is a simple matter, and I am quite sure that he’ll be able to handle it”.

Chapter V