AWARD WINNER!
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Episode 4:
Secret Schemes!
"Here's
the bottom line." Belle crossed her arms on her chest and sat
back in her chair. "We want Nancy to pick up her mother on
Wednesday. But Nancy doesn't want to! And Rupert is afraid of
calling to remind her or even to find out what her plans
are, and Jane well, Jane is in a catatonic state, just
waiting to see what will happen."
"We can work directly on Nancy," Chrissy suggested. "Or on Dick to have
him influence Nancy, or on Rupert to goad him into action."
"It can't look like Jane had anything to do with this."
"She shouldn't even know anything," Chrissy said. "Poor Jane, she
couldn't tell a lie to save her life."
"Now, what leverage, if any, do we have on any of them?"
"I can start to put together a fairly complete dossier on each
financial details, real estate ownership, court judgements, liens...
Social security numbers and birth dates would be useful for starting,
but not absolutely essential."
"I can look up Jane's now, and then we can cross-reference and branch
out from there." Belle reached for her notebook computer and her
cellphone on the coffee table. "Would we be able to find out if Dick or
Nancy had a skeleton in their closet?"
"Given enough time."
"Hmmm. We have only a few days to work with. Why don't we try something
real simple?" Belle smiled. "I have an idea!"
Mrs. G walked in just then and sat down with them. "Why do I get the
shivers," she asked, "when I hear you say that? By the way, the duck was
doing fine. Said to say hello to you two."
"Mom! You know we don't like to personalize our food."
"Of course, dear. Better not. Who would want to eat a little friend
waddling around happily with six baby ducklings in tow?"
***
After dinner,
Belle kissed her mother goodnight and started putting on her light
poplin jacket. As Chrissy reached forward for her kiss, Mrs. G stopped
her. "I just got an idea!" she exclaimed. "Lobster Newburg! Tomorrow is
not one of our regular dinner days, but if you children would like
"
"Mom, you know we're ambivalent about lobster," Belle said
severely.
"It will,
of course, be accompanied by Yorkshire Pudding buns," Mrs. G
continued with a dreamy smile. "And, for dessert "
"Ohh, gee..." Belle mumbled, as Chrissy hissed in her ear, "Sure beats
canned tuna!"
"We can be here by 6:30."
"Champagne!" Mrs. G said with a grand flourish of her right hand. "I'll
check the cellar to see what I can round up. We can toast to your little
schemes!"
"I don't like the glint in her eye!" Chrissy hissed again in Belle's
ear.
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