The city of Tulsa was growing at a rapid amount. In the short time since Walter had been away, the entire face of the city aged and changed. It getting very close to being a bustling metropolis, and he almost had a difficult time finding Robert Hamilton's Law Office.
He felt sticky all over, and somewhat dirty. He attributed it to the humidity and low-lying clouds in the western horizon, and not to the feeling that washed over him every time he dealt with business on a grand level. He hoped that it wouldn't storm while he was in Oklahoma. He had had enough of that kind of weather long ago.
The Law Office's of Hamilton, Hamilton, and Walker had grown into an opulent establishment, a far cry from the frontier law Charles Hamilton had practiced before statehood. Ornate furnishings and luxurious artwork greeted visitors, letting them know that this was both a successful and expensive firm. A sick, dirty feeling continued to grow in Walter as he waited outside of Robert Hamilton's office.
The secretary typed feverishly at something, Walter knew not what, nor did he really care. Only, the sound added greatly to his tension. Finally, the massive mahogany door opened, with Mr. Hamilton waiting to greet Walter.
He extended his hand to Walter, "Walter, it is good to see you, please step into my office."
Walter tried to hide his tension with a smile and a laugh, "It is good to see you as well, Robert. Tell me, what urgent business needs my attention in person?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
"You never did like the business world, did you Walter?" Robert asked, sitting behind his desk.
Walter sat in a guest's chair. "No. That's obvious, or Katie and I would never have sold Darcy Oil to Dexter Burton."
"Don't worry, Walter. I'm not judging you. I don't really blame you, either. That decision was a wise one too. It allowed you freedom and time to spend with your family. However, you still have a few holdings under our care. I have received an immense offer to sell one. Though this one requires you to be present to sign everything over according to George Darcy's will."
It had been many years since Walter had thought about George Darcy's will. "Which property is it, Robert? I will be more than glad to relinquish my hold on most of them. They meant very little to Katie, and as we have said, I am no business, really."
"The property in question is Dovedale in its entirety. A businessman thinks that it is the most beautiful piece of land in Eastern Oklahoma and would like to build a home there."
The very thought of selling Dovedale turned the sickness Walter felt into anger. "You've dragged me all the way here to gain my consent to sell Dovedale? You know the answer, Robert. No! Sell everything there is, just save Dovedale. That is the only property that matters! For God's Sake, my wife, her parents, and her brother are buried there. That is my children's inheritance. Their grandparents worked hard on that land. No. You could have saved yourself the trouble and me a trip, Robert."
Hamilton wasn't surprised by this, he was prepared, "Let's be reasonable here, Walter. You don't want to live there anymore. You have another life in Canada. Why keep it? You can keep the burial site, if that is what's bothering you."
An idea formed in Walter's head. Robert Hamilton was always much more of a yes-man than he was being today. It occurred to Walter that possibly Mr. Hamilton wasn't looking after his best interests, but someone else's.
"Who is it, Robert? Why are you trying so hard to get me to sell?"
Hamilton fiddled with a pen he was holding. He liked Walter, he always had, unlike some people. "Does it really matter, Walter? What are you holding onto there? We can keep this arrangement of upkeep, except you'll have to hire some new people to look after the place when Gideon's family moves away. The opportunity arose, and with them leaving the state, and we've had very little word from you in over a year. I was just looking into your best interests."
Walter let his guard down. "I'm sorry, Rob. It's still such a touchy subject with me. It has been good to go home, but this place here," he said, knocking on the desk, "this is still very much a part of me as well."
As a friend, Robert asked, "Have you been out there yet?"
Walter looked down to his feet, "No. I haven't been there yet."
"Would you like a friend?" Robert asked sincerely.
"No," Walter answered. "Thank you, but I think that it is time I faced my ghosts on my own."