Chapter 19
They reached the restaurant just a little while later, where they were shown to a quiet corner table, away from other patrons. This suited Julie very much. Each ordered a light lunch with a wine chosen by Adam. Once they were all settled with a glass of wine in front of them, Julie began her narrative.
After listening to the beginning of her story, Alfred interrupted her. "Attwell?" Alfred asked. "The man that was around at the time of my visit? He was still there?
"Yes, it's the same man. My life became unbearable after my father died," she told them. Then my mother and he married and when I was fourteen my mother died, and Mr Attwell became my Sole Guardian. I lived a practically solitary life, with friendship from only Alice McDonald and Bernard Harper, who had always looked after me, as my mother never wanted to have anything to do with me. Not even from the beginning." Julie stopped and took a sip of her wine. Adam leaned across and placed his hand on top of hers.
"Are you sure you want to go on," he asked.
"Yes, Mr Manson should know why it has taken so long to contact him."
"Very well, but if at any time you want to stop, please, sweetheart, just say so."
"I will, Adam. Thank you." She took one more sip of her wine and continued.
She told them of Attwell's advances and proposals of marriage and how she had made up her mind to leave and hopefully disappear. How she travelled many miles up and over the country for many years and how she eventually ended up in Nevada, where Adam had saved her from death. How she had changed her name many, many times over the years, again as an evasive measure of Attwell finding her.
Then she spoke of how Adam had looked after her and 'persuaded' her to tell him her story, which she eventually did and then she finally opened the two other letters which they read together. She had the two letters with her, in her secret place, and excused herself to go to the restroom to retrieve them. When she returned, she handed the second letter to Mr Manson.
Alfred studied the letter. "Could this be true?" he asked.
"I think it's possible, Mr Manson," Adam answered. "We think he is only after Benjamin Bridgeman's money and not succeeding with Mrs Bridgeman, worked his way on to Julie. Hence her eventual disappearance."
"I remember very well your father advising me of secrecy in all matters, saying he did not trust his wife and Mr Attwell." He too took a deep sip of his wine.
"At least we can now understand your disappearance for so long," Jonathan said. "And of course, the reason for changing your name, so that Attwell couldn't trace you, or us, for that matter," he said this with a grin. "All quite understandable."
"So, until all Estate matters are settled, you will remain as Julie Cartwright?" Alfred asked. "Do I understand correctly?"
"Yes, Mr Manson," Julie answered. "But of course, my legal name should be attached to any official paperwork that I'll be asked to sign."
"Correct." Jonathan concurred.
Julie had no intention of telling them why they were married, except to say that when Adam fully understood what had happened, he suggested visiting Denver, and you, to resolve any issues outstanding. She also apologised for the delay and the amount of work she had caused him and his son.
"No apology needed. You are safe and well and that's all that matters," Alfred stated. "Now let's enjoy our meal and return to my office and we'll make a start on the documents."
"Fine, that sounds good," Julie said. …
An hour later they were all seated again in Alfred's office. Jonathan once more brought in the locked box and opened it and the papers were again spread out in small piles across the desk.
"I will try and explain my part in all of this up to where Jonathan here took over. Is that acceptable to you, Mrs Cartwright?"
"Oh yes, no problem," she replied.
"Right. Then first I need to show you this pile. There are four companies here, the ones your father dealt with. Perhaps you would care to look them over," he offered.
"Oh, no." She looked to Adam. He understood the look.
"I think perhaps I should look them over, as Julie has no experience with stocks and shares, whereas I and my father are well versed in such transactions," Adam stated.
"Very well. Is that acceptable to you Jonathan?" Alfred asked his son.
"Oh yes, father. If Mr Cartwright can enlighten us with his knowledge of such matters, then I feel we will be able to deal with the estate reasonable swiftly."
"Thank you Mr Manson." Adam stood and held his hand out for Jonathan to shake. "Since Julie has already made known to me her wishes regarding her father's estate, although the amount was not expected, we should continue on."
They spent the next two hours looking through the documents of company stocks and shares that had been bought and sold by the Manson's. Adam noticed there were two companies that he and his father had shares in and asked of Julie if they could transfer these into their shares, saving a lot of hassle by just changing the name to his own. Of course, she agreed.
They had whittled the piles down to two and they all felt a fresh day was required to deal with them.
"That would be good," Julie remarked. "It has been a lot for me to take in and I'm not sure I understood it all. Adam will do his best on my behalf. I trust him with my life."
Adam looked at her and smiled and leaned over to give her a little kiss. It caused her to blush, and the two Manson's could see how much in love they were.
"Shall we say 10 am in the morning?" Jonathan stated.
"Yes, that sounds good." Adam answered. "We'll see you then. Good day."
Adam and Julie left the bank, and she sighed in relief.
"Glad that's over with?" He asked.
"It's not over with, is it. It seems there's a lot more to do and sort through," Julie said in a nervous tone.
"It shouldn't be too bad. I have a good knowledge of stocks and shares. We'll make it work." …..
Adam took Julie to a high-class restaurant for a celebratory dinner.
"Why are we going in here, it's much too expensive looking?" Julie asked.
"It's a dinner to honor our marriage," he told her, "and it also helps with the image we are trying to maintain."
"Oh, I see. Okay then, lead the way oh husband of mine," she said jokingly, but inwardly she wondered what it would really be like if it were true.
They were ushered to a table and Adam order champagne. While the waiter was gone, they studied the menu.
"I think a nice salmon steak for me," Julie said.
"I fancy the same," Adam stated. "Do you want the vegetables as listed.
"Just green beans and potatoes, please."
"Fine. I'll take the lot. Today has made me very hungry."
The waiter returned with the champagne, which he opened on their behalf and placed on the table after filling their two glasses. He then took their orders and disappeared.
"To us," Adam toasted. They clicked glasses and each took a sip.
"Wow," Julie coughed a little. "It kind of tickles."
"Never had it before?"
"Nope. That's a stupid question. Where would I have had this before."
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Well, you've had it now. What do you think?"
"It's lovely. I didn't think I would like it, but I do. Thank you, Adam."
"You're welcome."
"I need to ask you a question," she said.
"Go ahead."
"This ring. I think it's a beautiful ring by the way, but will you be able to get your money back when you return it to the seller? It worries me as I don't want you losing any money on my account."
"Actually, I didn't spend anything on it, my father did."
"What!"
"This is the ring my father bought for my mother on their marriage. He passed it to me for me to give to my wife on my marriage."
"Oh, that's good then. You'll be able to keep it for your actual wife when the time comes."
"Yes. But I want you to wear it for me now. You can't go around without a ring on your finger. Won't look good to others if we're trying to make everyone believe we're now husband and wife. Right?"
"Right, of course," Julie agreed.
Their dinner was delightful, and Adam suggested a walk to help the digestion, before retiring for the night.
The air still held a modicum of warmth as the sun began to descend behind the mountains. They walked along the streets arm in arm and talked of what had happened that day and wondered how long it would take to finalize everything.
Adam had another thing on his mind. Julie's reaction to the rearranged hotel accommodation when they returned. He envisaged a strong argument but would have to be firm with her about the appearance they were trying to maintain.