Ben did a little snooping and found the keys to the filing cabinets in Rainor’s office. The man kept meticulously organized files. All of his investment documentation was neatly organized and filed. It looked like he had a lot of money in investments himself. This could be good news for Gretchen. He kept searching but found no sign of a will or even paperwork referencing a legal firm. So, perhaps there wasn’t a will.
He left the filing cabinets open and found Gretchen sitting on the sofa again. She looked up sharply when he entered the room and he saw her relax.
“I need to ask you a question,” Ben began.
She watched him cautiously.
“I don’t know how much time the police will need from you over the next few days or if the lawyer needs you physically here for the estate transfer. I fly back to the states on Sunday night.” She began to look panicked but he held his palm up and she immediately went still. “I want you to come home with me so we can take care of you and help you take control of your life.” She looked like she might leap off the couch towards him but again he held up his palm to stop her and she froze once more.
“I have to go out today and you have to speak with the lawyer I hope will be coming to help you with the estate. Her name is Margaret Dawson. I took a look at the files Rainor kept. Do you know if he had a will?” She shook her head. “Do you know if he had a lawyer?” Once more she shook her head. “Does Rainor have relatives?”
“Not that he ever mentioned.”
Ben’s phone rang and he smiled when he saw it was his lawyer. It would be… close to 4PM his time.
“Good Afternoon, Walter!
“Good morning, Ben! I reached Ms. Dawson. She is waiting for your call,” the lawyer said.
“She’s able to come over?” Ben asked.
“Yes. Weekend rates but yes.” Walter replied with a grin in his voice.
“That’s fine! Thank you so much Walter!” Ben exclaimed. He gave Ben the number then they said their goodbyes and he hung up.
Ms. Dawson picked up on the first ring.
“Margaret Dawson.”
“Ms. Dawson, this is Ben Shepherd. You were just speaking with my lawyer-”
“Yes, Walter! Nice man! What can I do for you today, Mr. Shepherd?”
“Ben, please. I need you to look into the estate transfer of Rainor Hahn to his wife Gretchen. Rainor died last night and Gretchen had no involvement in their finances and has no idea of the assets she may have.”
“I can do that. Walter mentioned you needed this expedited?” Margaret said questioningly.
“Yes, I fly back to the States tomorrow night and I would like to bring Gretchen with me, if possible,” Ben explained.
“And you’d like the estate transfer completed by then?”
“No, just the parts which need her physical presence. She’ll be out of the country for an extended period.”
“Is she a citizen of Australia?” the lawyer asked.
“Hang on. Gretchen, what’s your citizenship?”
“German. I was born in München. Sorry, Munich.”
“No, she’s German,” Ben said. “I think Rainor kept most of his documents here in his office. He seemed to have a fair amount of investments but I found no evidence of a will.”
“Stupid young people.” Margaret said. “I assume Rainor was also not a native of Australia.”
“Your assumption would be correct. He probably had a work visa. No idea,” Ben said.
“Alright. Where am I going?” she asked and Ben gave her the address. “I will be there in about an hour. Will you be there?”
“I actually have to go out but I’ll give you my cell number so you can reach me.” He did so and she gave him hers.
“Thank you so much for moving on this so quickly!” he said to the lawyer and she laughed.
“Weekend rates apply,” she said with a chuckle.
“Understood. Thanks all the same,” Ben returned.
They said their goodbyes and hung up. Ben turned to Gretchen.
“Ok, I’m going out now but I’ll be back. Are you feeling pain?” he asked and she nodded.
He went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, the two painkillers and the anti-inflammatory pill. She took the meds and he returned the glass to the kitchen. He pocketed the painkillers. He was still unsure of her state of mind and this seemed like a safe precaution.
When he returned to the living room she was smiling at him. “You’re feeling a little calmer about your future?”
She nodded with a grin. Beautiful. He smiled in return.
“Ok, lock up behind me and only let Margaret Dawson or Detective Burrows in. He said he’d be coming to speak with you.” He made his way to the door and suddenly found her arms around him and her body pressed up against his back.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He patted her arms affectionately and she released him. With a final smile Ben stepped outside and listened to the door lock behind him. He made his way downstairs and was crossing the lobby when he saw the detective entering the building.
“Detective Burrows, good morning!”
“Mr. Shepherd! I wasn’t expecting to see you!” the man returned.
“The lady had a bad evening. I’m just making sure she’s ok. I let her know to expect you today.” Ben said and nodded to the man as he made his way to the security desk. Clint was no longer on duty and had been replaced by an older gentleman.
“May I help you sir?”
“Yes, do you have the number of a taxi service?”
The guard smiled and nodded. “I’ll call one up for you.”
“Thanks!” Ben replied with a smile then walked outside to wait. He stretched in the morning sunlight and enjoyed the feeling of the rays on his face. It was going to be another hot one. He’d need to remember to bring his lotion to the beach today.
It wasn’t too long a wait for a taxi to stop and he waved to the security guard before he got into the back. He gave Margaux’s address and they were off. He dozed in the back of the cab and jolted awake when they reached the building. He paid the driver and made his way inside. He felt more exhausted for the little snooze he’d had in the cab and rubbed the sleep from his face as he took the elevator up to Margaux’s floor. He pressed the doorbell and waited. He was nervous about Margaux’s mood as his call with her this morning had been so odd. He blinked as he’d been waiting for some time and reached for the doorbell again when the door yanked open.
Tall, slim, blond and gorgeous. Tasha stood before him in all her naked glory. Her breasts were even more spectacular in person. She was grinning excitedly at him and gestured for him to come in quickly. Stunned, he stepped inside and she closed the door behind him.
“Oh my god! It’s so awesome to actually meet you in person! I’ve been on pins and needles since we met Margaux in the coffee shop this morning and she invited us up for some fun!”
“FUCK! UUHHH! FUCK! BOBBY, FUCK ME HARD!”
Ben’s head turned towards the bedroom.
Tasha giggled and Ben looked back to see her wide eyes. “Now she gets noisy! The first few times she was so quiet!” She bit her lip as she trailed her eyes over Ben’s body. “Mmmm, let’s get some of those bothersome clothes off so we can join in!” She reached for his jacket but he gently caught her hands.
Ben’s chest was tight and he was having trouble breathing. “I- I’m so sorry. I’m afraid there’s been… a big misunderstanding. I… I don’t… I’m not going to…” He released her hands and reached out to brace himself against the wall as he took some slow deep breaths as his empty stomach knotted and churned. The noises of Margaux and Bobby’s aggressive sex in the other room got louder.
“Are you ok?” Tasha’s smile slipped away and she gently touched his arm as she saw the despair on Ben’s face.
He jerkily shook his head and moved forward until he was standing in the entrance of the bedroom. The young man, Bobby, was between Margaux’s thighs driving his cock into the moaning woman faster and faster. She clung to him and writhed under his body like a wild animal but her eyes… they never left Ben’s. For all her moaning and passionate motions her eyes were cold. It was all a lie. She grinned at his lost expression.
“What’s the matter, Ben? Disappointed we didn’t wait for you?”
Bobby looked over his shoulder with a grin which slid away when he saw the sadness in Ben’s eyes. His thrusting faltered and he looked at Margaux in confusion.
Ben looked away and picked up his laptop case and slung it over his shoulder.
“what…” Margaux began.
He grabbed the handle of his suitcase and left the room.
“NO!” Margaux yelled angrily behind him and a male voice yelped. There was a crashing noise of someone falling against a piece of furniture and smaller crashes as items fell. Margaux stormed out of the bedroom. She glared venomously at Ben who paused to look back.
“You fucking hypocrite! You fuck every piece of ass that throws itself at you and you bail on me when I decide to have a little fun?” she yelled.
Ben stared at her in dismay. How many times did he have to say it? “No, you can have sex-”
“Spare me your holier than thou righteous bullshit! The truth is you’re running away because you can’t handle it! You can’t stand seeing another man stick his cock in me!” She paused waiting for him to argue but he just shook his head sadly. Her eyes narrowed. “You’re running back to the slut, aren’t you?” Margaux spat, her eyes flaring with hate.
Ben held her eyes with his and felt a stabbing pain shoot through his chest.
“You fucked her tight young body all night and now you want more!” Margo screamed.
Ben’s mouth moved but he couldn’t find the words. He knew it was her jealousy that was lashing out at him but there was nothing he could say or do in defense against her irrational rage. He just shook his head. “Goodbye,” was all he could manage before he turned and headed back to the door.