Chapter 20: Money

Cornelia's lawyer had a conference room with a view of the Allegheny, and a table with eight chairs.

I took the one that faced the river.

My lawyer sat on my right with her leather folder, and Darby sat on my left, because I had asked her to.

Cornelia took the head of the table.

Her lawyer sat beside her, and across from me, with his hands folded, sat Nigel.

He had shaved badly.

He had not slept, and he did not look at the window or at his mother.

"Let's be efficient," Cornelia said. "My client's position is that this is a family matter that has been badly handled."

"Your client's position is that it's none of anyone's business," my lawyer said. "We have the video."

"My client is prepared to offer."

"We aren't here for an offer," I said. "I'll tell you what I'm taking, and you can tell me if you have a problem."

Cornelia's lawyer glanced at her, and she lifted two fingers and let me go on.

"The shop," I said. "Garrard & Daughter. The building it sits in, on Butler Street, transferred to me for one dollar."

"That building is worth."

"I know what it's worth. It's what my mother's rent paid for nineteen years."

Cornelia's mouth went tight.

She said nothing.

"The house on Fifth Avenue," I said. "I don't want it. I want half of what it's worth, in cash, by the end of the month."

"Half is substantial," her lawyer said.

"It's a house his mother picked, and I lived in it for two years."

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