"There's something else you might consider. IVs possible that none of the family is involved. It could be some insider who's manipulating this, someone who put in an impostor and planned to convince the family she was genuine and then split a share of the estate with her. That didn't occur to any of you, did iff He turned to Simon Fitzgerald. ''m going to sue you both for slander, and I'm going to take away everything you've got. These are my witnesses. Before I'm through with you, you'llwish you had never heard of me. I control billions, and I'm going to use them to destroy you.' He looked at Steve. ' promise you that your last act as a lawyer will be the reading of the Stanford will. Now, unless you want to charge me with carrying an unlicensed weapon, I'll be leaving.' The group looked at one another uncertainly. '? Well, good evening, then.' They watched helplessly as he walked out the door.
Lieutenant Kennedy was the first one to find his voice. ' Goff he said.
"Do you believe that ''s bluffing,'Steve said slowly.'But we can't prdve it. He's right. We need proof. I thought he would crack, but I underestimated him.' Simon Fitzgerald spoke. ' looks like our little plan backfired. Without Dmitri Kaminsky or the testimony of the Posner woman, we have nothing but suspicions." about the threat on my life?, Julia protested. Steve said, ' heard what he said. He was just trying to, scare you because he thought you were an impostor. ' wasn't just trying to scare me,' Julia said. ' intended to kill me."
"I know. But there isn't a thing we can do. Dickens had it right: "The law is a ass ... " We're right back where we started.' Fitzgerald frowned.
"It's worse than that, Steve. Tyler meant what he said about suing us.
Unless we canprove our charges, we're in trouble.' When the others had left, Julia said to Steve, ''m so sorry about all this. I feel responsible in a'way. If I hadn't come ..."'t be silly,' Steve said.
"But he said he's going to ruin you. Can he do that Steve shrugged.
"We'll have to see.' Julia hesitated. ', I'd like@ to help you: He looked at her, puzzled. ' do you mean?", I'm going to have a lot of money. I'd like to give you enough so you can -' . He put his hands on her shoulders. ' you, Julia. I can't take your money. I'll be fine." ... I ''t worry about it., She shuddered. ''s an evil man.' `It was very brave of you to do what you did." said there was no way to get him, so I thought if you sent him here, that could be the way to trap him." looks as though were the ones who fell into the trap, doesn't iff That night, Julia lay in her bed, thinking about Steve and wondering how she could protect him. I shouldn't have come, she thought, but if I hadn't come, I wouldn't have met him In the next room, Steve lay in bed, thinking about Julia. It was frustrating to think that she was lying in her bed with only a thin wall between them. What am I talking about? That wall is a billion dollars thick. Tyler was in an exuberant mood. On the way home, he thought about what had just taken place, and how he had outwitted them. They're pygmies trying to fell a giant, he thought. And he had no idea that these were once his father's thoughts. When Tyler reached Rose Hill, Clark greeted him. ' evening, Judge Tyler. I hope you're well this evening." better, Clark. Never better." I get you anythingt "Yes. I think I'd like a glass of champagne.' ' course, sir.' It, was a celebration, the celebration of his victory. Tomorrow r1l be worth over two billion dollars. He said the phrase lovingly over an dover.
"Two billion dollars ... two billion dollars ...' He decided to call Lee. This time Lee recognized his voice immediately. '! How are you?' His -voice was warm. ', Lee."'ve been waiting to hear from you: Tyler felt a little thrill. ' you? How would you like to come to Boston tomorrowt ' ... but what fort ' the reading of the will. I'm going to inherit over two billion dollars.' , ... that's fantastic!" want you here at my side. We're going to pick out that yacht together.", Tylerl That sound's wonderful!" you'll comet "Of course, I will.' When Lee replaced the receiver, he sat there saying lovingly over an dover, ' billion dollars ... two billion dollars."
Chapter Thirty-four
The day before the reading of the will, Kendal l and Woody were seated in Steve's office. ' don't understand why we're here,. Woody said. ' reading is supposed to be tomorrow."'s someone I want you to meet,' Steve told them. " sister.' They were both staring at him. ''ve already met her,' Kendall said. Steve pressed a button on the intercom. ' you ask her to come in, pleaset Kendall and Woody looked at each other, puzzled. The door opened, and Julia Stanford walked into the office. Steve stood up. ' is your sister, Julia."
"What the hell are you talking aboutt Woody exploded. ' are you trying to pulff ' me explain,' Steve said quietly. He spoke for fifteen minutes, and finished by saying, ' Winger confirmed that her DNA matches your father's.' When he was through, Woody said, "Tyler! I can't believe it!" it." don't understand. The other woman's fingerprints prove that she is Julia,' Woody said. ' still have the fingerprmt card.' Steve felt his pulse pounding. ' dot "Yeah. I kept it as kind of a joke,-" want you to do me a favor," Steve said. At ten o'clock the next morning, a large group was gathered in the conference room of Renquist, Renquist & Fitzgerald. Simon Fitzgerald sat at the head of a table. In the room were Kendall, Tyler, Woody, Steve, and Julia. In addition, there were several strangers present. Fitzgerald introduced two of them. ' is William Parker and Patrick Evans. They're with the law firms that represent Stanford Enterprises. They've brought with them the financial report on the company. I'll discuss the will first, then they can take over the meeting."'s get on with it,' Tyler said impatiently. He was sitting apart from the others. I'm not only going to get the money, but Im going to destroy you bastards. Simon Fitzgerald nodded. ' well.' In front of Fitzgerald was a large file marked HARRY STANFORD - LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. ''m going to give each of you a copy of the will so it won't be necessary to wade through all the technicalities. I 9ve already told you that Harry Stanford's children ill equally inherit the estate.' Julia glanced over at Steve, a look of bemusement on her face.