Chapter Four
Leverage HQ: That afternoon
The team sat in the conference room and waited to hear what was going on. Hillary looked at Grant as he leaned against the interior wall. She could see he was upset with what was going on. She looked at Eliot as he stared Grant down with his glare.
"Eliot," she snapped.
"What?" Eliot looked at her.
Nate walked in and looked at the team. "What did I miss?"
"You didn't get Grant's memo?" Hardison asked. "He only sent it to everyone a hundred times."
"Oh, the one that read important please read," Nate said as he took a seat. "So, what's important?"
"Geez, Nate, you look like hell," Eliot mentioned. "You and Sophie staying up late."
"Not that it's anyone's business, but no. I just have been having trouble sleeping."
"Speaking of Sophie, where is she?" Parker asked.
Nate shrugged.
The glass door opened and she walked in carrying a couple of shopping bags. Nate looked over at her and raised his brow. She smiled sheepishly.
"I got caught up in a rush, I was on my way," Sophie remarked as she took a seat. "Wonderful spring sales going on."
"I can only imagine what inspired you to shop this time," Nate sighed as he ran his hands through his hair.
"I felt the spirit move me." Sophie smiled.
Eliot chuckled and looked at Hillary. She gave him a look and he sighed.
"So, what is so important that we all need to be here?" Nate looked at Grant.
The phone rang and Hardison looked at Grant. "It's all you."
Grant grabbed the clicker off the table and clicked it. Nate looked at Sterling.
"Hello, team," Sterling said.
"Got yourself in a bit of bind again, did you, Sterling?" Nate remarked.
"A bit of one that requires only the bride, the groom, and Spencer," Sterling said as he glared at Hardison.
"I might have hacked the email," Hardison confessed. "My bad."
"Well, you are talking to the bride's family." Nate folded his arms.
"Immediate family," Sterling remarked.
Nate looked at them.
"Alright, have it your way, Sterling." Nate stood up and looked at the other three. "You heard him, let's go."
Hardison, Parker, and Sophie stood up. Eliot looked at Nate as he gave a nod.
"Jim, I would like, Nate to hear this." Grant stood in front of the screens.
"Family matters, Grant," Sterling said.
"He may have a point, Sterling. Another outside party maybe needed," Nate said as he stopped.
Sterling nodded and leaned back into the chair. He looked at the four of them and sighed. There was no sense in arguing about it.
"So, what's going on this time?" Nate asked.
Eliot glanced over at the others as they stood outside the door. He turned back and looked at Sterling.
"My sister has paid a visit to Grant and myself earlier today. I believe she may be up to something," Sterling said.
"Something that may throw us all into chaos?" Nate folded his arms.
"Destroy a family. She's trying to pull the rug from under us. I don't know how, but if I know my sister, she'll wait until there are a lot of people. She has a need for the dramatics." Sterling rubbed his chin.
"And why would she choose a time when her good son is getting married?"
"A moth to the flame. If there is one listening ear anywhere she will preach." Grant looked at Nate. "My mother isn't one to step down."
"Sounds familiar," Eliot muttered.
"This isn't about the past, Spencer." Sterling looked at him. "Elizabeth is quite the con artist herself. I've watched her con her way in and out of people's lives just so she can get what she wants."
"So, what do you have to tell us?"
"My father was just as good as his daughter. He was one step ahead of her always. When he immediately named me successor as the family fortune. It was my sister who was originally supposed to get the fortune, but because of who my sister was he thought the better choice would be me."
Eliot folded his arms and glanced at Sterling. Sterling liked to have things go his way and getting there required certain people to get into that position.
"How do we know you are telling the truth, Sterling? You haven't exactly been honest with us in the past." Eliot raised his brow at him.
"He's telling the truth," Grant said stepping in.
Eliot looked at Grant.
"I have no reason to lie to you, Spencer," Sterling said. "Nor does my nephew."
"Alright, well explain to us then everything," Nate said. "I find it hard to believe that your sister would just show up for no reason unless she's found something that could ruin you."
Grant looked at Nate and glanced over at Sterling.
"How about I just tell you how I came into money," Sterling remarked.
"About time you got to the point," Eliot remarked.
"Eliot," Nate and Hillary both said.
"I wasn't much older than my nephew is now…."
FlashBack:
London Countryside: 15years ago
Sterling walked into the large home in the country. He glanced around the family home and headed down the halls. His mother had called him about coming home for a weekend to spend with the family. She had told him that his father was getting worse and probably didn't have much time left. So, he had made the trip into the countryside to spend some time with them.
"Uncle Jim," Grant's voice came.
He turned and looked at the youth that came from the study room. He was growing up to be a good looking young man, but still his boyish looks remained.
"Hello, nephew," Sterling greeted the sixteen year old.
"Are you staying for the weekend here or just making a day trip?" Grant asked.
"I've packed a bag for the weekend, but if business calls I'll have to head back to London," Sterling replied.
The youth smiled obviously pleased to see his favorite uncle outside the usual circumstances. Sterling gave the youth's shoulder a good squeeze.
"Grandfather, isn't doing so well Mom told me," Grant remarked.
"I heard, but I've come to see for myself. I don't trust the quacks that are taking care of him. I would like him to come to London instead of relying on the fresh air to make him feel better," Sterling remarked.
"Mom said it's what's best," Grant said.
"Well, I'm going to try my hardest for him to come with me back to London. I know the best doctors there."
Sterling stopped at the large doors at the end of the hall that led to the large library and hall of documents. He opened the doors and walked in to see his father hard at work with his nurse at his side. And not to far was his mother reading in her favorite spot by the large window.
"Darling," his mother said as she stood up.
"Mother." Sterling gave a nod.
She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. She kissed his cheek and looked at him.
"Darling, you look so tired," she said. "And you look like you've lost some weight."
"Margret, leave the boy alone. He hasn't lost weight, my God, he's gained a few."
"Thanks," Sterling looked at his father.
The older man chuckled and stood up grabbing his cane. He carefully made his way over to Sterling and his wife.
"You and I must talk about the family's well being when I finally pass," he said.
"James, you mustn't speak like that," Sterling's mother said.
"It's only time, but come on let's have a drink and talk about this woman you've decided to marry," his father laughed.
Sterling smirked at the older man's dark humor. He obviously had no regrets in his life. And his mother was the one who would be devastated when her beloved husband passed away. She would be without her one and only love. But there was where her dear children came in.
"Shouldn't you be cutting down the drinking, old man," Sterling remarked.
"What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I've willingly given myself to the sins of my youth and nurture the time I finally walk into the light of the world beyond."
His father embraced death like it was his friend. He often told him that death was his best friend. Sterling grew up with the tolerance of his father's philandering and sinful life style, but there was only one woman he loved and she always forgave him.
"Still drinking the best Scotch, Jim?" His father pulled two crystal glasses out.
"Only the best," Sterling remarked.
"Good, lad." His father poured the amber liquid into the glasses.
He slid one to Sterling and raised his glass to him.
"To see you once again, Jim," his father said.
The doors opened and Sterling glanced over to see his older sister walk in.
"Well, look who it is, the prized son has finally returned home." Elizabeth smiled as she held her best friend in her delicate hands.
"Lizzy," Sterling gave a nod.
"Jim, you have been on everyone's lips. Everyone has asked about you down at the grounds."
Sterling looked at his sister as she put one arm around her him. He could smell the whiskey on her breath. He looked at his father as he sighed. If there was one child that followed close in their father's footsteps it was Elizabeth. She was the drunk and the whore. Sterling took after his mother.
"Have you come to beg for grandmother's wedding ring to marry that little American tart?"
Sterling looked at his sister as she sipped from her glass. He grabbed it from her and sat it down.
"Jim?" his mother said.
"No, I haven't come to ask for the ring. I have come to visit our father," Sterling said. "The ring is far from my mind, Lizzy. And I believe you need to cut yourself off before you let your tongue slip anymore."
She smiled and kissed his cheek and reached for her half filled glass.
"We all can't be perfect like you, Jim, darling," Elizabeth mocked his straight laced nature. "Where's that little Yank…she's never without you. I think she's a gold digger, Jim, dear."
Elizabeth flopped into the leather back chair and flipped her brown locks behind her ear. She smiled at Sterling and sipped her drink.
"Let's talk about the sweet and innocent woman that is taking away our dear little Jim," Elizabeth joked.
"Lizzy, you are making a fool of yourself in front everyone," Their father said.
"Am I, Father? Forgive me I'm not your prized child. But, Jim here is." Elizabeth downed the whiskey like water.
"I think now would be the time to discuss what you wished to talk to me about, Father," Sterling said sitting his glass down.
"Margret, would you mind escorting your daughter to her room then come back and join us?" Their father looked at their mother.
"Certainly, come a long, Lizzy," her mother said.
She grabbed the delicate framed woman's arm. Elizabeth stood and staggered. Sterling stared at her as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"I'll see you later," she remarked.
"I look forward in catching up with you, Lizzy," Sterling said as he kissed her cheek.
She walked with her mother out the room and Sterling looked at his father. The older man lightly rubbed his eyes.
"She's getting worse," Sterling said. "When you wrote me you said it was under control. Her husband institutionalized her for a reason."
"I couldn't put my own daughter in an institution to save my son-in-law's political career. She was sober when he was elected, Jim. I told him she'd stay here with us and we'd help her."
Sterling sighed in frustration at the sight of his sister drinking herself to self destruction. He had dealt with it before she was married to Robert George McCoy.
"I know this is hard for you to see, Jim, but your sister needs her family. She's been alright since she had the boys, but she fell off the wagon."
Sterling looked at his father and shook his head.
"She needs help. She needs to be dried out and if you won't do it I will. I've thrown her once into that place; I'll do it again if it gets rid of her demons she's fighting." Sterling lifted his drink and sipped it.
He walked to the leather chair and sat down. He looked at his father as the older man stood there. He didn't want to hear that his own child was going down a dark and lonely path. Sterling knew that pity look from him. But it was time that Elizabeth took on some of her own responsibility without a man to help her.
"I for once agree with Robert. He has every right to throw her into that institution. Lock her up and let her just dry out."
"And what will we achieve from that, Jim?" His father turned and looked at him. "Another empty shell to add to the collection of Sterling?"
Sterling stared at his father and lifted his chin up.
"I'm thinking about her progeny. I'm thinking about our family as well. She's killing us slowly to see her like this. Mother has too much on her mind. You are dying and leaving us with no way out to deal with this. Can't you see that if she doesn't get better this family will die along side?"
"That is why I've made preparations, Jim." His father walked towards his desk.
He sat down carefully and opened a drawer. Sterling looked at his father as he pulled out a wooden box. He stood up and stared at the crest that was carved into the oak box. He took a deep breath as his father removed something wrapped in leather. He knew exactly what it was, but had never actually seen the original copy.
"Is that…"
"Yes, the original copy of our family's traditions. The document that we have been tied to for several generations. And you are the next in line to receive this document. My father and his father had rewritten this once before, but it was my choice to stick with the original form. You are to receive the family fortune. Your sister will not be able to have a schilling of it."
"My God!" Sterling walked over and watched as his father uncovered the original document.
His father looked up and smiled. Sterling staggered and felt an overwhelming feeling come over him. He leaned against the desk and fell into the wooden chair close by.
"Just take a breath, Jim. You will get over the shock." His father lifted the document up. "And your mother wishes to speak with you as well."
The door opened and Sterling glanced up to see his mother walk in. She walked into the room as if she were the queen of England. He looked at her hands as she held a box.
"What's that?" Sterling asked.
His mother sat the box down and opened the smaller box. Inside the velvet interior of it were two rings. He stared at the two caret diamond ring and gold band.
"My dear boy, this is what comes with the inheritance. These rings were my mother's. She gave them to me because I was the eldest daughter in my family," she said.
"You promised that rings to Elizabeth," Sterling said.
"Jim, I believe now would be the best time to tell you," his mother said. "Your father and I believe that you are the one who should have everything. I have left money for Elizabeth to give to her children, but if she were to get her hands on this she would ruin us. You take after me, my dear, and that is the reason why you were chosen to receive the vast fortune. It is up to you though if you wish to break tradition."
Sterling loosened his tie feeling over whelmed by being named as successor. He ran his hands through his hair and breathed deep. His eyes stared at the rings and shook his head.
"No," Sterling said.
"No?" his father asked.
He looked up at his father and back to his mother.
"The rings don't belong to me." Sterling nodded. "They belongs to one of your grandsons."
Sterling stood up and looked at his father.
"Then it's settled." His father shut the boxes. "Margret, I believe you already have an idea of someone who will be pleased to take the rings."
She smiled and nodded. "I do."
Sterling looked at her and she beamed with the idea. She walked over to him and kissed his head. He gave a weak smile as she patted his cheek.
"You are a good son, Jim. And I know you will make a good husband and father too," she remarked. "That is why we have a proposition for you."
His father coughed and they looked over to him. He heaved and reached for a handkerchief to cover his mouth.
"James?" his mother questioned.
He raised his hand to assure her he was fine. She rushed to the doors to call for the nurse. Sterling got up rushed to his father's side.
"Father," Sterling said.
"I'm fine," his father said between coughing fits.
The nurse came in and shuffled Sterling away from his father's side. He stepped away and watched as she hurried to do her job.
"Please, Mr. Sterling leave," she said. "Your father will be fine."
Sterling's eyes were wide and he rushed out the door. He saw his mother sitting outside the library.
"He promised," she whispered.
Sterling knelt down and took her hands into his. His eyes stared up at hers and she looked down at him.
"He'll be fine." Sterling gave a weak smile.
"No, my darling, he won't," his mother said.
Sterling wrinkled his brow and stood up. He backed away from her looked at the library doors. He felt his stomach churning as he waited to hear the news that they had been dreading to hear for the last six months.
One week later
Sterling stepped into the old office building as his father's lawyer and long time friend greeted him.
"Jim," the older man said.
"Lars," Sterling said.
"It's a shame that we have to meet like this after a week, but it was your mother's request that you come as soon as you could. I hear that you will be moving to New York in a month." The older man said.
They walked up three flights of stairs and Lars led him to his office. Sterling glanced around the large office and stared at the many memories of his friendship with his father.
"Your father left instructions in his will that were for your eyes only." Lars walked to his desk and lifted a copy of the will. "Jim, he has instructed that you take your nephew, Grant James McCoy with you to New York."
Sterling looked at him as he wrinkled his brow. He walked towards the desk and took a seat. Lars poured him a drink and handed it to him.
"Could you repeat that?" Sterling leaned forward and grabbed the Bourbon glass.
"James wrote that you were to taking on the responsibility in raising Grant McCoy."
"He has parents," Sterling remarked. "Despite the issues that surround that family, Grant has security."
Lars nodded and reached into the top drawer and pulled out a folder. He opened it and handed Sterling an ivory colored envelope.
"I believe it is all explained there." Lars took a seat.
Sterling opened the envelope and let his eyes glide across the letter that explained why his fathers wished Grant go to New York with him. Sterling felt his hands trembling and he reached for the Bourbon and drank it like it was water.
"My father was losing his mind when he became sick," Sterling said. "Whatever thoughts that still remained were just pure delusions."
"I'm afraid not, Jim. Your father wrote this six years before the disease progressed." Lars looked at Sterling.
Sterling rubbed his eyes and stared at his father's letter. He leaned back into the chair and breathed deep. There was always a reason why his father did something. But he wasn't sure how his young nephew would play a part in the whole scheme of life.
"I'll think about it," Sterling said. "It's a lot to handle. I can't raise a teenager right now."
"I know this is hard. But your father made this out to be very important. He didn't believe that your sister was fit to be a mother and I believe your brother-in-law was in no position to be giving fatherly advice to his youngest."
Sterling rubbed his chin and folded the letter up.
"I would like to talk this over with my fiancée before I take a teenage boy into our home," Sterling said as he stood. "I'll give you an answer before I move."
"I look forward in hearing what you have to say." Lars extended his hand to Sterling. "It's good to see you again, Jim."
Sterling gave a nod and headed down to the lobby. He walked into the lobby and saw Grant standing close to the entrance.
"Grant?" Sterling questioned.
The young boy looked over and gave a weak smile.
"What are you doing here?" Sterling asked.
"Mom thinks I'm at the library," Grant said.
Sterling looked at him and sighed. He saw that same look of mourning in the young boy's eyes he had. He took a deep breath and put one arm around the sixteen year old. The youth wrapped his arms around him and Sterling looked down.
"Why can't you stay here, Jim?" Grant asked.
Sterling looked at his young nephew. He had made it his duty to watch over him when he needed him most. But things were changing fast for him. He had a fiancée and a new job waiting in New York for him. He couldn't add one more thing to his busy life. But his nephew did deserve everything he ever wanted. Who was he to deny family that?
"Let's go have a bite, Grant." Sterling gave Grant's shoulder a squeeze.
Grant nodded and Sterling smirked a little. He gave his cheek a quick pat and led him out the door. He wanted to keep his father's last request a secret from the youth just until he made accommodations for him if he decided to agree to his terms.
Family Estate: Three months later
Sterling swirled his scotch around the crystal glass as he walked around the library. It was quiet and eerier without the master of the house around. His eyes stared at the desk his father often was seen sitting at. He then turned to the many shelves that housed the collection of books his father prized.
He remembered most of his childhood being sat in front of a bookshelf and told to start reading every last book in the library. At that time there was only three hundred books. Now there were over five hundred books and still only one book stuck out to him.
"Jim, darling, must you keep your back turned to the desk," his mother's voice came.
He turned and looked at her. She still wore black even after the funeral. It was a tradition for her family to continue to wear black for a year. He shook his head and walked to the desk.
"Have you talked to Grant yet?" she asked.
"I haven't. I've been busy with moving to New York. And married life is still kind of new to me."
"You'll get use to it. Wait until you have children of your own, Jim." She walked over to him and smiled. "You are nothing like your father, Jim. And do stay that way."
"Afraid we all change, Mother."
"Don't become soft on my, Jim, those Yanks are much too soft for us."
"Of course."
"How long are you here for?" she asked.
"Just until I get a lead on something I'm working on. And to collect a few things before I head home."
Sterling walked around the desk and pulled open the top drawer. He pulled out the oak box and sat it on the desk. His gaze stared at the crest carved into box. He glanced at the book shelf closest to the large floor to ceiling window.
He focused on the top shelf and walked to it. His hand traced the spines of the books and stopped on one. He pulled the tattered leather back book from its comforts and stared at the golden lettering.
Sterling turned and walked to the desk once more. He sat the book down and glanced at the golden lettering on the book.
"Jim?"
"I'm going to do this family a favor," he remarked.
Sterling pulled a letter opener from his father's desk and opened the book to the middle and stabbed the middle of the page. His mother gasped in horror.
"Jim!" she cried out.
Sterling cut until he made the perfect little nook in the book. He grabbed the smaller box and placed it into the carved out spot. His gaze fell to his mothers as she stared in horror.
"I'm taking the ring with me to New York."
"But you said you didn't want it?"
"I'm not taking your ring, Mother, I'm taking Father's." Sterling closed the book and lifted it up.
"I may not understand now why you are doing it this way, but I'm sure it will come back to play out just right."
"I promise what I do is for a reason to secure the future," Sterling remarked.
