Chapter 11: Don't Con a Con
When they arrived back at the castle, Remington gently roused Laura from sleep. Looking at him bleary eyed, it took her a few moments for her to get her bearings and realized they had arrived back at their temporary home and that she had, indeed, fallen asleep. As she sat up, he walked around the car and opened the door, then offered her a hand out. As they walked up to the front door then into the foyer, he kept his hand linked with hers.
"I need a few minutes with Mildred," he told her as he turned to face her. "She's been doing a bit of research for me to see how we can pry this white elephant off our shoulders."
Laura gave him a small smile, and squeezed his hand before letting it go.
"I think I'm going to go change, then go back to sleep for a little longer. Do you mind?"
"Of course not. There's a few matters I should attend to around here that will likely keep me busy a good part of the afternoon."
He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, then watched as she traversed the stairs to the second floor before turning away to search out Mildred so they could discuss the plans he had in mind.
Remington met swiftly with Mildred, confirming what he'd already expected to be the truth. Hustling her in and out of the office he claimed for himself for the meetings had proven a challenge, yet he'd managed to accomplish it in five short minutes. Once their business was dispensed with, he ushered Mickeline into the office in Mildred's wake. With a glance at his watch, he determined he would give the matter ten minutes of his time, no more as he wanted to check in on Laura. She'd taken what he'd shared with her at their last stop hard, and he needed to assure himself that she was alright.
Leaning with his backside against the desk, arms crossed, Remington towered over the seated Mickeline… intentionally so. He wanted control of the conversation from the outset, wanted to make it clear that he meant business and the time for fun and games had come to an end. Mickeline looked up at him with trepidation. Good, Remington thought to himself. A man off-guard is a man that cannot easily lie.
"I'm sure you're well aware, Mickeline, that since the moment my wife and I arrived, I've been presented with an endless array of allegedly outstanding bills related to the castle's upkeep. Am I accurate in stating that?" Remington asked.
"Yes, indeed, yer Lordship. There are many a bill associated with keepin' a 'ome this large," Mickeline confirmed.
"Mmmmm. Yes, that there is. To that end, I've had Mildred request copies of all costs associated with the upkeep of Ashford for the last year. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the bills being presented to me far exceeded even the cumulative amounts for that period of time." Mickeline had the decency to squirm in the chair where he sat. Remington continued on. "Of course, since I've only had possession of the castle for a week now, and the Earl's estate made certain to cover any and all prior costs associated with its upkeep, you can understand I am more than a bit confused about the origin of all these…" he cleared his throat, "… bills. Can you enlighten me on the matter?"
"It seems, yer Lordship, that there 'as been a bit of a misunderstandin'…" Mickeline began, for Remington to cut him off.
"Mickeline, have you ever heard the expression, 'you can't con a con'?" Remington asked with a raised brow.
"Indeed I 'ave, yer Lordship, but I be assurin' ye…." Mickeline began, only to be cut off again.
"The detective business is one con after another. As such, my wife and I are quite adept at reading when someone – or in this case, a large group of someones – are trying to pull a con on us. That said, let's cut to the heart of the matter. What, exactly, are you and the rest of the staff after that you would have attempted such a poorly executed attempt to chase my wife and I off of my inheritance?" Remington stood watch over Mickeline until the older man let out a deep sigh, knowing that he'd been caught and called on the ploy.
"Ye've no idea what it's like, yer Lordship, to constantly tend an empty 'ome, knowin' all the while about the possibilities that lie within its walls. The staff and me… well for a long time we've envisioned turnin' the Castle into a grand 'otel, bringin' life back to the Castle as well as providin' Glenn Cree with tourists that would help pull our little village out of 'ard times. We once approached the Earl and 'e turned us away. We were fearful if we tried with ye, it would only 'appen again."
Remington nodded, then stood to pace the room for a couple minutes. Glancing at his watch, he saw the time he'd allotted had nearly been used up, and decided to act, as he often did, on instinct.
"It seems the lot of you were unaware that the deed to the Castle is non-transferrable. Should I give up my rights to the Castle, it returns to the Earl's estate." At Mickeline's wide-eyed, open mouthed reaction, he knew his assumption was confirmed. "However, as long as it's in my possession, I have all rights to decide its use. In that light, I'd like to suggest a partnership, of a kind."
"A partnership, yer Lordship?" Mickeline asked, puzzled.
"Present me with a business proposal including all costs associated with your proposed hotel as well as projected profits and a detailed account of any changes that would need to be made to the premises to accommodate guests, accompanied by bids from local contractors. A business loan can be obtained to cover initial costs and expenses. A management team would be established to oversee any renovations and later the running of the hotel. In exchange, the current staff will receive a share of the profits after the business loan is paid in full, with my wife and I maintaining majority interest in the venture." Preparing to leave, Remington turned to Mickeline and added as an afterthought, "Finally, the master suite will be off limits to any guests, and will remain for the exclusive use of myself and my wife. Meet with the staff and let me know their decision. If all are in agreement, gather them together and I'll meet with them. In the meantime, I need to go see to my wife."
Turning on his heel, Remington exited the room, leaving a stunned Mickeline sitting alone and wondering what had just happened.