Chapter 18
Thank you all once again for your reviews. It pleases me no end that I have followers of my story.
It only took fifteen minutes to reach The First Bank of Denver. They walked up to one of the tellers and asked for Mr Alfred Manson, telling him they had a twelve o'clock appointment.
"Please, if you would take a seat just over there I'll get Mr Manson for you," the teller told them.
"Thank you," Adam acknowledged.
They sat on the offered bench and watched the teller disappear through a door.
"This is a very grand bank, don't you think, Adam?"
"It's a big city, so I guess it needs a big grand bank to house all bank activities required of all the businesses there are here in Denver."
"Could you live here? I think there are a lot of opportunities here for a man like you."
"A man like me?"
"Well, I see you as an ambitious man."
"I think you may be right, but I love Nevada, and don't think I could ever leave the area. As regards my ambitions, I do have some ideas that are not a part of the Ponderosa."
"Oh, tell me what they are," Julie excitedly asked.
"Well, I am a trained engineer and architect. Went to Harvard, trained and lived with my grandfather back in Boston, learning the trade within an architect firm before I returned home."
"So you've never used your training on your return?"
"Yes, I have. I designed and built the Ponderosa ranch house, with considerable help of course. We shared a ground floor two roomed house when we first arrived there."
But before any more could be said, a gentleman came out to greet them.
"Hello there, I'm Jonathan Manson, Alfred Manson's son, and before you ask, he is here. So, if you'll follow me…" He held his hand out toward the door they saw him come in from.
They followed Jonathan Manson through the door and went down a corridor. On reaching one of the doors along the corridor, they could see the name Alfred Manson, Manager, on the door. Jonathan Manson opened the door and invited them through. They found an elderly man sitting behind a big desk with a big smile on his face.
"Forgive me for not rising, but I have mobility problems, but my brain is still very active, I assure you. Miss Bridgeman, I presume." He held out his hand and Julie went over to the desk, leaned across and shook his hand.
"Mr Manson, I should quickly say that I'm now a married woman and this is my husband, Mr Adam Cartwright," Julie said by way of introduction.
"Splendid, splendid. Jonathan, would you go and retrieve the locked box within the safe please. You know which one," he instructed his son.
"Of course, Sir." Jonathan left the room.
"Please, you two, pull up those two chairs and I'll give you a little explanation of how things are today." They did so.
"Mr Manson, are you in pain, because we can put this off until you are feeling a little better," Julie asked.
"No my dear. I can stand and walk a little, but it's not wise for customers to see my incapacity because they'll probably assume I can't do my job either." Alfred paused. "Let me clear up a few things for you. I will at a future date resign my position here, but in the meantime, I'm training my son about the management of this bank. Thankfully, he is keen being involved with banking. And has already worked here for quite a few years now. The board feel, as I do, that he'll make a fine bank manager some day. As we're all getting on in age, we all feel young blood is the way forward."
"Sounds to me that you are making the right decision," Adam told him.
"So, Mrs Cartwright, I should tell you that my son is well versed in your case, because as time went on and there was no response from you for all these years, I felt someone else needed to know all the facts of your case. But please be reassured to know that my son is a dedicated under-manager who will ensure your banking requirements are kept secret. Just as I am and will not reveal any information to anyone without first obtaining your permission."
"I understand, Mr Manson. Thank you."
Just then, Jonathan returned with the locked box.
"Ah, Jonathan, good. We can begin to resolve the matters relating to Mr Benjamin Bridgeman's Estate."
"It's all here, father. I think it will take some days to finalise the matter."
Jonathan then opened the box, having retrieved the key from his father's proffered hand. While Jonathan was unloading the papers from the box, Alfred asked, "What has been happening to you all these years, if I may ask?"
Adam spoke for her. "I think we should stick to the matter in hand for the moment, maybe we could have lunch together when Alex will be more comfortable in relating her life to you, if she is willing to do so." He said this and looked at Alex waiting for her agreement or not.
"Yes, thank you, Adam. That would be more appropriate as it's a long story to tell."
"As long as you are comfortable with that, Miss Brid….sorry Mrs Cartwright," Alfred said. "That would be fine."
"Yes," she replied. "For the moment it is urgent to know what is willed to me. I assume my father willed everything to me and if that is the case, we need to get it sorted out as soon as possible. The reason for the speed will become clear when I relate my circumstances at lunch. I hope that is acceptable."
"Of course, Mrs Cartwright." Alfred cleared his throat and took a sip of water. "Sorry, would anyone like a drink of any kind before we begin?"
"No thank you," came from both Adam and Alex.
"Very well then, let us begin. As Jonathan is well versed with the case, may I leave it in his hands to acquaint you with your father's wishes?"
"Of course," Adam answered.
Jonathan had removed all of the papers from the locked box, of which there were many. Adam's eyebrows raised at that amount. Jonathan now sat and faced Alex and Adam and unfolded a document.
"This is the last Will and Testament of Benjamin Bridgeman. I declare that I am of legal age and of sound mind. This Will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress. I hereby declare that all that I have I bequeath to my daughter Alexander Bridgeman."
I hereby declare that the Executors of my Will will be Mr Alfred Manson and Mr Jonathan Manson who will continue to become my Financial Advisers until such time as my daughter reaches her majority and who may then deal with my Estate as she sees fit. Should my daughter die before my Executors meet with her, then my entire estate is to be divided to as many good causes as my Executors can find relating to children's orphanages for their education and wellbeing.
I direct my Executors to pay my debts, any medical expenses incurred, funeral expenses, costs of administration, and claims allowed in administration of my estate from the principal of my residuary estate according to all applicable laws.
Witnesses: Mr Bernard Harper and Mrs Alice McDonald
"It seems very clear but extremely brief," Adam voiced.
"Yes," Alfred said. "I'm afraid there wasn't much time once Mr Bridgeman called me to draw up his Will."
"We understand, Mr Manson," Alex stated. "I have a quick question, if I may."
"Yes, of course," Mr Manson answered.
"Regarding Mr Harper and Mrs McDonald, do you know of their whereabouts at present?"
"I'm afraid not, but we can make enquiries on your behalf."
"I would like that, but would you please not mention my name at any time. I'll explain why when we have lunch.
"Certainly, just as you wish," Mr Manson stated.
"Why all these papers, considering not much was mentioned in the Will," Adam asked.
"Again, Mr Cartwright, it was a matter of the timing," Mr Manson told them."
"Yes, of course." Adam said. "We will be able to explain all later so that you might understand why the haste."
"Thank you, Mr Cartwright," from Alfred.
Jonathan rose from his chair, "I think before we delve further into all these papers, drinks are in order, as this may take some time."
"Yes, that sounds good," Adam said. "Sweetheart, would you like a drink?"
"Yes, please, but only water. A small jug and a glass please, if that's alright?" She answered.
"Not a problem," Jonathan said. "Father?"
"Coffee for me. Mr Cartwright?"
"Yes, coffee would be good. Thank you. It looks like we have a lot to go through."
"Right. I'll be right back. Perhaps father you could set out the documents in order in readiness."
"Yes, of course," Mr Manson replied.
With that Jonathan left the office. Both Adam and Julie watched as Alfred sorted the papers, which looked like official documents into five piles. He went on to explain.
"Mrs Cartwright, your father was a shrewd man, and during his lifetime had made a great deal in stocks and shares. At the time of his death he had accumulated over $75,000. Since his death I have been carrying on in his stead, so to speak. Buying and selling stocks and shares, increasing the value of his estate to over $150,000."
He watched the astonishment on both Adam's and Julie's faces.
"You have to understand that since your father's death, I have, on his behalf, continued to buy and sell stocks and shares as per his wishes and have amalgamated a goodly some. Also I and my son have carried out extensive searches for you, but were unsuccessful. And until we had news of your death, we continued as per your father's instructions." He smiled. "But here you are and I'm so grateful that you have at last found us as now we can complete all of your father's requests."
Jonathan then returned with the coffees and water, placing them on the great desk.
"Are we ready to continue, father?" He asked.
"We are, but I think we should take lunch first, as these documents will take some time to go through," his father answered. "Sorry for bothering you with the beverages, Jonathan."
"Not a problem, father."
"You're right," Adam agreed. "What do you think, Julie?"
"Julie?" Questioned Alfred.
She was just sitting there stunned having heard the amount of her father's estate.
"Sweetheart?" Adam asked again.
Then she suddenly heard Adam's voice. "Sorry. Was there a question?"
"Yes. We're thinking of taken the lunch break now as there is a lot to go through." Adam told her. "Is that alright with you?"
"Yes, Adam." Julie concurred. "I think it best that Mr Manson's should know my story before we continue."
"Okay," Jonathan said. "I'll lock these documents up again and we'll go straight for lunch." He then returned all the documents, in the same order as was organised on his father's desk, back in the strong box, locked it and gave the key back to his father and left the room with the box.