Holiday at Dartmouth/3


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:22 pm

Perhaps it was his confidence, or more likely the personal tip, but the waitor graciously lowered his head with a grin.

"Of course, sir. Don't we all tire of the city at some point, sir?"

Proud of the production, she stood quickly and took his embrace as if they'd been together for years. Winking at the waitor she added, "What else would a girl want?"

They escaped the hall unscathed and even though they were out of eyeshot, she still walked closely with him.

"If you have a knack for the media, Mr. Masterton, there is a great deal of money to be made in the news. International relationships, advertising, world travel. I could accept a life like that."

She shook her head, "I travel light. Let us head on out shall we?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 9:48 am

John led the woman out of the club and along the now somewhat darknening streets. Even at this hour people still walked in this part of London. Bussinessmen moving towards their exclusive homes and other such fun seekers. John was quite happy however, he held her close to him, confused. Could he become linked to a woman with no good breeding. But she offered much if played right. Maybe he would take all her wealth and then deal with her. He could have the money, estate and the well bred wife. John was an opportunist and a cad and he knew it. Gently he held her into him just a little more as they walked towards Picadilly station.

"The life of the newspaper magnate is a comfortable one. Gets you in with the politicians, we shall see what happens. First we have to convince the old coot you are his daughter. Then we need to get his new will drawn up and then finally we need to dispose of him." John grinned softly, "Perhaps a little tinkering with his morning tea could convince the grim reaper to arrive just a little quicker."

John chuckled as he realised his morals were as lax as the skirt on one of those flappers in the US across the pond. Picadilly was a short walk and John walked up to one of the ticket offices. "Right Darling where do we need to go?" He turned to the man, "One couple, overnight carriage to...." He looked at her waiting for her to give the destination as well as he reaction to the single carriage. It was a bold move worthy of any romantic hero, and John was a hero of sorts.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:17 pm

Angela didn't recoil at John's forward gestures and, in fact, when he ordered a single carriage, she proped herself upon his shoulder with both arms. Cocking her head flirtateously, she said, "Dartmouth. A couple for Dartmouth. I hear it is pleasent in the winter. If a bit chilled."

After a pause she added, "And John, don't forget the champaign. We have much to celebrate."

It was the first time she called him by his first name and perhaps it was done with precision.

The ticket man, easily annoyed, balding and cursed with very poor eyesight, squinted at the two and said, "I see, yes. Well, then, rail to Dartmouth departs in ten minutes. You've come barely in time. I shall need 2 pounds for the lot. Your steward will satisfy any amenities you may require. I suppose you will need help with your luggage?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:38 am

John smiled as the woman continued to play the good woman. Softly he went into his blazer pocket and got the required two pounds out exchanging it for the double ticket. Softly he placed this in his wallet and with a curt nod to the bald man he turned towards the tracks. Hearing the man he lifted his briefcase and said, "No dont worry, we are travelling light." He hurried slightly jogging along and making sure Angela could keep up so they caught the train.

John borded the thing and helped the woman off. Taking a look at the ticket he quickly located the room and let the woman in first. He planned to settle in then get a bit of food and some champers. Then who knew what he would do next. So with a sry smile he entered the room.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 8:50 am

The train ride was uneventful, pleasent and somewhat relaxing. Angela and her new accomplise chatted a bit about wealthy life. She did not disclose much more, but it was clear she'd been deceived enough as a young woman, that she didn't trust anyone. Her own escapades had made her rather wealthy and she still managed to keep her notorious nature under wraps.

When they arrived in Dartmouth they had to set themselves up. Taking a room at the Royal Castle Hotel their treatment was not less then luxurious. Although bunking together, the first two nights Angela kept a polite distance, not allowing any advancement in their relationship... just yet.

Angela used a connection to get a rental office for the law firm front and on the 2nd, hired a crew to set it up. On the morning of the 3rd the office was ready. It was in a small flat near a park with large windows overlooking a foot-traffic heavy road, full of shop fronts and even a small fruit market. The location was only a ten minute stroll to their media man's residence.

A front office was outfitted with a waiting area and receptionist desk and the back office was decorated with a large oak desk, a wall-sized book shelf fool of law tomes, and decorative plants. Angela beamed proudly at the display as they walked inside.


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:24 am

John had rather enjoyed the train ride, it was not one of those quick things but a nice slow train that took a few days to make its journey. This gave John plenty of time to play whist with the other gentelmen on this journey. He also learned as much as he could about the area he was going to. Where were the best racecourses and who controlled the social scene in the south and things like that. He also sat still and imagined hi headlines rolling out of his new newspaper. Marvellous.

He was a little releived when they did reach the destination however because he seemed to have found the last refuge of the finest whist players in the world and he had received such a thrashing that his ego needed time to re-inflate.

And as for his partner in crime, the Masterton wit was further knocked as he discovered seducing her was like trying to nail jelly to a wall. She writhed and slipped about and could never be pinned down. Metaphorically of course, a gentleman never uses force as a tool of seduction. Despite of course the customary clutching embrace and masterfull sweeping into the arms, but that stage was a way off yet.

Still she had excellend at this office lark, he had assumed they would walk into the man's house say, "Here is your daughter you old too now give us the moolah!" But apparently these con artists were cunning devils, and john could not hide his respect. "Jolly nice old gal" he said when they walked in, "I could get used to this, now as for my secretary, tall, blonde and preferably with legs the size of the Khiber pass." He grinned softly and walked over to the main chair, behind the oak chest and sat down. Softly he put his feet up on the desk and lay back. "So old gal, what do we do next? Do I phone the old bugger and tell him to hand over the cash?"


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:02 pm

Sitting on his desk like a fem fatal on the cover of a pulp fiction magazine, she grinned at John playfully.

"Not so fast, Johnny, if we just come prancing to his doorstep, he'll throw us out like transients. We need to be official."

Completely lying on the desk, she propped herself up with her elbow and took stationary from the top desk drawer and placed it in his typewriter.

"Dear Mr. Greeley," she dictated waiting for John to type, "I represent Miss Laura Greeley at the Law Firm of Rhode and Sons. After careful consideration she has decided to meet you in person after having been removed from your life since birth.

"Please meet us at our law office for a mediation of personal affairs.

"Respectfully, Thomas Rhode.

"There. We send that and then we wait."


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 4:59 am

John began to type diligently, rapping away like he had on his unles typewriter on long, lazy days in the county. The delightful clickety-clack of the buttons always amused him even now and he typed with a little spring in his fingers, namely two of them. He was no professional but two fingers would suffice. Meanwhile he had this veritable Venus lying across the desk in front of him. Well to be blunt it made concentrating a little difficult but like any good Englishman he brandished the stiff upper lip and completed his task.

When the letter was typed he adressed it and then put it in an envelope. Writing the man's name on it was the final task and then he stood up holding the envelope. "It is alright you there looking pretty but this is a partnership and I am not just the brawn you know." Softly he put the letter on the desk next to her hand. "If you go now you might catch the early post." He reached into his wallet and put a few pound notes on the envelope. "You can go and get us lunch while you are out." He smiled and sat back down in his chair, "A nice quiet romantic lunch just between us, sounds nice eh?" Gently he leaned over and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and stroked it softly.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 12:21 pm

She pointedly did not recoil at his gesture and allowed the moment to last long enough just to tease. Then with a single gesture whisked the letter out of his hand and dropped to her feet. Checking her hair and the dark blue skirt and white blouse she wore, she twirled on her heels and began to leave the office.

"I hope you enjoy seafood, Mr. Masterton."

Stopping in the doorway, she lit a cigarette and said, "In an hour?"

In the next hour, John would be left alone for the first time since they met.


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 4:13 pm

Men are normally bad with free time. They try to fix something and end up destroying it. They try to do cleaning and end up making a mess or even worse they try to cook and destroy the house. John being well versed in the dangers of being without the safety of a woman sat still for a moment. His feet twitched gently on the table and he looked at his watch. The hand seemed not to move and the hour would go slowly it seemed. The two concerns he had were food, which was being fufilled and boredom. He could have gone with her, but he wanted to show her he had a little control left.

He twiddled his thumbs for a few minutes before digging out his paper and trying to do the crossword. He soon found he was no better than he had recalled, and had never been a crossword man. Too meticulous, John was more of a daredevil. He decided he needed to work on the old mind and thus pawed through the pages of the paper. Finally he stood and took off his jacket forecfully. Placing it over the chair he wandered round the office with no real aim. Till he went to one of the law tomes, he intended to look up any kind of legal proceedings he may need for this case, he would paw over inheritance. He would not absorb it but it was occupying till lunch anyway.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:08 am

She returned an hour later with fresh sea bass, cheese, and wine. Setting up a picnic on the desk, she prepared the entire luncheon with practiced ease and seductive glances. The wine, a good vintage chablis, was poured and she offered a toast.

"To wealth and fortune for all our days."

After the toast, she picked at the cheese and remarked, "We should cultivate a plan now, I suppose."


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 3:08 pm

John smiled as he gulped down more wine. It seemed to act as a fuel for him at the moment. A social oil that his kept his engine running and he applied the Masterton intellect to forming a plan. "How about we come up with a jolly innocent beginning." he smiled, "We met on board the liner Lincoln on a trip from New York to London. When in London we spent some time together and became engaged. In preparation for the wedding I invited my family and yet your family remained elusive. After twisting your arm I persuaded you to reveal the location and by an act of cioncidence the man was near my new office. Naturally we are a happy couple seeking to know the family and future family before the wedding. This will not only create the space for you to maneuver but hopefully earn praise for me, for not only marrying his daughter but also for persuading her to contact him. And I will wager he will accept a little legal council from his soon to be son in law."

Gently he took out one of his cigarettes and lit in, he puffed on it gently with an indolence Keats would have admired. His feet were still on the table and he regarded Angela rather amused picking at the cheese. "maybe it was your down to earth attitude and manners. Although the food scum at Eton was much the same I suppose. Although if you are to be lady of the manner you will need to learn etiquette my dear." He gently put the cigarette to his lips. The paper softly crackling against his parched lips as he exhaled the smoke. "I wonder how quickly we can trick the old coot out of his cash. I dont think I can wait more than a week and lets be honest he may still be full of Christmas cheer to not regard us too badly." He smiled, "Well plan is good or have you a better one?"


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:03 am

Angela giggled as John bantered at her.

"Surely, you've done this before! It is a plan of genius. I hope the letter will send him here, so we can meet under official circumstances. After that we can push him at the estate into revising his will. If a death should . . . befall him, all the better.

"An old man is prone to many accidents."

She let the insinuation stand for a moment before she said, "Well, then. The only thing left to do is to get identification. I know a man, if you don't mind make a trip across town."


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:20 am

John smiled at the praise, "Oh you learn more at Oxford than just how to debate." He grinned and stood up, "accident eh? well I think that is a little reliant on luck, how about we just kill the bugger." There, he said it. He smiled at her and took her hand in his and left the office.

They would walk for a way and just for a little while he would enjoy her company, he would entwine his fingers in hers and look at her with a new sense of affection and admiration. She had impressed him with her cunning and her seduction. She had him if only for a bit. Still he would hail a taxi and get them over and looki forward to his spot of acting. Angela as his wife, it was an interesting thought but the social situation would be too hard to handle....would'nt it?


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:56 am

As if they were together for years, the odd couple walked holding hands to hail a taxi. The effort did not last and a taxi arrived very quickly. Seated in the back, Angela barked an intersection at the south end of town.

"I can pay for my part," she said, "but it will drain me."

She leaned in close like a lover, placing her black-haired head on his shoulder, gripping his hand with both of hers.

"And you wouldn't want me to run out of energy, would you?"

The remark caught the cabby's attention and he grinned, glancing up in the rear view mirror.


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:27 am

John was rather enjoying the verbal and physical dueling. She was very good at it he had to admit and as she rested her head on his shoulder he smiled and wrapped his hand round her. He caught the cabbies eye and decided to banter if just a little bit. "The thing about you lovely upper calss girls is that you are so lovely in public but so naughty in the bedroom."

As the cab moved along the road he softly rested his head on top of hers as they rested in a very affectionate way. Two people joined by the foulest of aims yet appearing very much in love. He softly turned to the cabby his head still resting on her head, "We are getting married soon you know, met in American waters actually. She is a bit cheeky but marriage should mature her." He grinned softly at his lack of tact and waited for them to arrive where presumably Angela would direct him onwards.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:36 am

"Mature me??" She said with feigned anger.

Pushing him away, she leaned forward to fully engage the cab driver.

"This coming from a man who went through women more than he did changes of clothes. You can't throw a stone in England without meeting an ex-Mrs. Masterton."

Rolling back into their prior position she raised a sassy eyebrow waiting for a clever retort. The cabby simply chuckled at the duo, before finally pulling the car over.

"Here you are, then. It'll be two p."

They were parked outside a non-descript office building built in an odd Colonial red-brick and white window frames. Standing two stories, it blended in with a neighboring bakery and ice cream shop, closed for the season. Close to the sea, this area was certainly built for summer tourist pedestrians looking for kitschy souvenirs.


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 5:46 pm

"Let she who is without sin cast the first stone my little honeybucket, whatever happened to that nice shipping magante you were seeing before me? Or was that the steel maganate you must get them muddled hmm?" He smiled before leaving the car and handing the cabby the money as well as a little extra.

Then he took her hand again and led her into the office building hoping that the name changing would be a bit of a lark.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Mon Jul 11, 2005 8:52 am

It was clear Angela enjoyed the banter and she playfully smacked him in the arm.

"They were bozos. The lot of them!"

Grateful for the tip, the cab driver thanked them and then drove away. Angela, was back to business and letting go of her partner, she directly and professionally arrived at the door of the simple building and tapped it.

In a very quick moment the door opened revealing a stub of a man, no more than one and a half meters who'd lost every strand of hair years ago. He wore a leather apron over what was once a business suit, but had since seen years of decay, unwashed nights, and printing press ink. Wire spectacles hung on his nose and his aged face squinted at the young woman for a moment.

"Is it Raven?" His sandpaper voice asked, "My it's been years. Come in, darling."

He opened the door wider and then squinted at John.

"Who's this then?"

"A friend," Angela said simply, and took John's hand as they entered.

The building was, in fact, a warehouse. Dusty mist settled on beams of window light as they penetrated the vacancy. Three printing presses were set up in the middle of the large open room and the walls were full of paper stock and finished product. A desk with a single lamp sat in a pile at the end of the chamber and a make-do kitchen was in wrecked disuse at the other end.

"Come in, come in."

"Christoff, we need documents for a barrister."

He squinted at John, "I see. Could be a big job. What sort of barrister would you like to be?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:45 am

"Oh you know as the average barrister but I do want a few specifics created if you dont mind, and I am willing to pay extra for them. For one I want to have been born and spent much of my life in India and also I want you to make me the second cousin of John Hercules Masterton." It was a necessary detail that would make John's future plan so much easier. The transfer of assets would be much easier between family and would open the way for his wide ranging plan.

He gently patted Angela's shoulder, "Raven eh, more like the magpie if you ask me." He smiled and waited for the man to begin his seedy work.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 9:20 am

The gnome of a man nodded and scribbled some notes on a nearby pad, muttering calculations and gibberish under his breath. He looked up at the magpie reference and for a confused moment looked at Angela before returning to his notes.

He turned on the lamp of an art desk and began sketching designs.

"Magpie. Really!"

She pushed him, playfully.

"Raven is my generic alias. I use it often enough to be known, but not often enough to be notorious. Shall we come up with one for you? Perhaps . . . snowbunny or . . . lilac?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:16 pm

"Does not quite suit me, possibly Promethius or even Ajax?" he had a little look round the shop. His plan was finally starting to take effect in his brain. He was a little worried about just how far he was willing to go, what he was prepared...to do even. Death ran through his mind like a seeping bile polluting the innocent brain. This was opportunism bordering on insanity.

"So could we pick them up later or will they be done soon?" John had little desire to hang about and wanted to get to this man soon. The quicker that was done the quicker he could put his plan into motion. Then he would strike. He gave Angela a honeyed smile all the while hovering about her like a dark tempest set to burst.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 9:54 am

The counterfeiter hardly reacted to John's impatience, continuing to work with studious silence over diagrams and eventually paper and ink selection. Before an hour passed, he was running one of the printing presses with skilled precision. And as dusk settled the work was done. John was furnished with full law credentials, a degree, identification, passport, and even letters of recommendation.

"It will cost seventy-five pounds."

Angela immediately responded, "Put it on my account."

She thankfully kissed the old man on the cheek and took John's hand.

"Where to now?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:18 am

John happily took her hand and left the place, outside he stood for a moment and pondered on her question. "Well if you are a good girl I might take you out to dinner somewhere, but I was wondering if we want to knock out an old man what is the best tactic? A little push down the stairs which may look like coincidence or possibly his loving daughter could make him a nice breakfast. Just think, sausage, egg, bacon, a little black pudding, some potatoes chopped and fried and a couple of mushrooms. And how was she to know that the mushrooms she bought should not be eaten and could be fatal? Why it would take someone with an intimate knowledge of poisons to know that."

John bit his lip softly to supress his grin, "But dinner first mmmm, lets meet the chap first I suppose who knows perhaps a riding accident may be even easier. The possibilities are endless and I dont intend to be caught for any crime." She on the other hand was expendable.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:28 am

"I suppose it is time we met the old bastard," she said not commenting on his ideas but accepting them with a knowing smirk.

The took a taxi to south of town before finally arriving at luxurious estate. Even in the winter time, the mansion glowed from behind the bare arms of oaks and maples. A beautifully manicured garden provided paths throughout the estate and the largest, likely cobblestone, provided a willow-lined avenue to marble steps and a manor of colonial design.

As they were left off, Angela watched the house with a cocked head.

"Perhaps the barrister should do the talking? Initially?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:10 pm

John smiled at her as she made her suggestion, "Just let the Lion of the Union deal with this old bugger." He grinned and set off down the path holding Angela close to him. Her warm body next to his was pleasant in this cool climate. He could feel her through his coat and just for a moment he felt connected despite the fact it was all a facade. he stopped himself forming attachment by using this excuse. He moved up to the door and rapped upon it expecting a servant. He was well dressed in a saville row suit and he imagined he would not be taken as a beggar or a salesman.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 10:15 am

From behind solidly built oak doors an aging woman with hair in a bun and a traditional maid's uniform answered. Flour on her apron and a wet rag ringing between her fingers suggested that they caught her while in the kitchen.

Squinting from thick spectacles, the woman's wrinkled face furrowed.

"Yes?" She creaked, "Are you expected?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 11:28 am

"I am afraid not my dear woman, but I am a lawyer representing a member of your masters family and I think he may well be interested in who I have here. Go and ask him if he will grant an audience to his daughter." He smiled and stroked Angela's back before smiling genially at the woman.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 10:29 am

Her squished face expanded with surprise at John. Examining the two very carefully, she finally muttered "Daughter?"

Without a word she waved them inside and took their coats.

Closing the door behind them she said, "Mr. Sinclair is resting at the moment, I shall fetch him. Would you like tea while you wait?"


 * Author: John Masterton, PostPosted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:29 am

"Yes we shall take tea if you are offering, perhaps if you direct us to the drawing room we could wait there? And as for tea, I will take mine without milk please and a nip of brandy if there is any, if not then that is fine." John smiled and stood waiting in the hallway.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:23 pm

After escorting the couple to the drawing room, she disappeared back into the main corridor. The room was plucked right from a cozy mystery. The faint smell of pipe tobacco radiated from the golden drapes. Velvet residue licked the pillows of the half dozen love seats and chairs. A dark wood bar displayed fine liquor and cigars.

John's companion took his arm.

"Old money."

She picked up a cigar and wrinkled her nose at it before plopping it back in its place. Dusting off whatever odor repulsed her she twirled on her heel to examine the room.

"What if he doesn't sign? How will we make him? Do you have a plan?"