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lection of the man stepping silently out of the shadows of Jubell Caron's ornate sitting room began to crystalize. Involuntarily, Charlie nodded. He picked up the paper and read it again. |
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"What the hell does she want from me?" he whispered. |
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"Did you not agree to a time of settlement?" the old man asked. |
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A sinister, twisted, half-smile began to play with the corners of Charlie's mouth. "She said it, but I never agreed to it," he argued. "But I'll tell you what I'm willing to do. You prove to me that the old girl actually made good on her promises, and I'll see that you and the lady get one of the biggest goddamned Checks you've ever seen. So big, in fact, that you and she can give up this bullshit routine and retire someplace where it's warm." |
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Raymond Armond was not a man to show his emotions. He stared back at Charlie with eyes void of color and depth and compassion. "Would you mind if I sat down, Mr. Frazier? I'm a very old man, and it has been a long and exhausting journey." |
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"Why not? Fact of the matter is, you can sit anywhere you like. But there'll be no day of settling till you or your lady friend can prove she's delivered what she promised." |
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Armond moved stiffly into the room and |
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