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actually had. Peggy's reaction to almost anyone was based on just how much money she thought they had. |
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"Third generation money," he hissed. "Old Theodore can't take the credit. He inherited it." |
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"So," Peggy asked, "what happened to you? I thought you were brothers." |
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"We are," Charlie admitted, "the difference being he played the game and I didn't." |
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Peggy gave him a quizzical look. |
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"My grandfather started a small loan company back in the twenties, and my father parlayed it into something big. He made a fortune during the second world war, loaning money to servicemen. Then, when my father died, I was in the service and Theodore stepped in and took over." |
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"Then half of this is yours, right?" |
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"Should have been," Charlie sighed, "but I never quite measured up to my old man's expectations. At the time of his death we weren't even speaking." |
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"Surely he didn't cut you out of his will entirely?" Peggy asked. Charlie was convinced he could already sense a shift in Peggy's loyalty. |
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"That's exactly what he did, but I think he had some help." |
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Peggy continued to study him. "I don't get it." |
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