Chapter Nine
Dickie entered the impressive premises of Rosenberg & Smithson and asked for Mr Greenburg. The gentleman had been his banker since he gained his majority and must surely be due retirement, but in a way Dickie was glad it was the same face that greeted him this morning.
"To what do I owe the pleasure Lord Merton?" asked the old man "It's been some time."
"I seem to be hearing that a lot recently. I've obviously been neglecting my old friends" Dickie smiled.
Mr Greenburg chuckled "Not at all, not at all. In my experience, it's generally a good sign if one doesn't see one's bank manager too often!"
"I hope you're right. I trust everything is well?" Dickie asked.
Mr Greenburg paused. "I can only discuss your accounts with you, of course. And yes, they're healthy even if underused these days" He looked at Dickie over his half moon glasses with a raised eyebrow.
Dickie chuckled. "I don't spend very much time in London, if I can help it, these days."
"Even with a new wife?" Mr Greenburg feigned shock.
Dickie laughed "Even with a new wife. She's not so enamoured with material things" Dickie grinned "We both prefer the country. If fact, I had been wondering if it would be a good idea to consolidate my accounts: what do you think?"
"That would sound sensible. And I assume you would transfer all funds to the York & North Riding? Yes, very sensible." Mr Greenburg nodded to himself and made a note. "I shall arrange that for you. Is Mr Michaels still you man there?"
"Yes, I saw him just yesterday in fact." Dickie confirmed.
"Good, good. I shall send you a final statement." Mr Greenburg smiled, then turned more serious "But there was another issue I wanted to discuss with you. How fortuitous that you should have popped in today; it saves me the trouble of a letter." He shuffled through some papers on his desk "Yes, yes. One of our junior partners brought this to my attention. It appears there is a mortgage on Merton House and you are named as the guarantor."
"There's a what?" Dickie was shocked "Surely not. I think I would know if I'd agreed to be a guarantor."
"Hmmm, yes, I see" Mr Greenburg watched him curiously "So you didn't agree to this?"
"Why would I? You know how I operate. I have only ever borrowed as a last resort and only when I had a solution to the problem. If Larry had needed cash, I could have worked something out with him. I have had nothing to do with the London house in over 2 years, as you know. I presume you are only raising this because there is a problem?"
"Yes. The fourth repayment fell due on Monday last, and to date none of them have been paid. My partner was hoping I could contact you for a resolution" Mr Greenburg removed his glasses and polished them ponderously. "I understand all previous attempts to contact Mr Grey have been unsuccessful."
"Yes, I would imagine they have. May I see the document?" Mr Greenburg handed the document to Dickie. He briefly perused it. The amount was substantial, but not outrageous considering the value of the property. Dickie paused at the last page "That's not my signature" He said quietly. He was relieved and upset in equal measure Larry, larry what on earth have you done! he thought.
"I'm sorry?" queried Mr Greenburg, taking the offered page.
"That's not my signature. Nothing like. I presume you have various specimens of my signature from previous dealings with me? That won't match any of them. Then there's the date I apparently signed it: I was on a family visit to the Marquess of Hexham at Brancaster Castle in Northumberland at the time. While it is possible that someone could have travelled night and day to retrieve my signature, I can assure you that they didn't. I can probably provide evidence of the fact if required." Dickie stated.
Mr Greenburg stared at the page. Now Dickie had said it, it was clear to him that what he said was true. The younger man clearly hadn't checked carefully enough. He closed his eyes briefly. "Do you know how we might contact Mr Grey to get this problem resolved?"
"I'm sorry Mr Greenburg, but Larry won't speak to me. I know he is out of the country at the moment, but not where or when he might return." He paused. "As one old friend to another, I will tell you though that Cavenham has been run into the ground" Mr Greenburg looked shocked "Your only hope may be to foreclose and claim the property. I'm sorry."
Mr Greenburg nodded slowly "I understand. Thank you for your honesty." He sighed "They say this is a young man's game, but our conversation today would seem to imply that we are not necessarily giving our life's work over to safe hands." He suddenly seemed much older than he had when Dickie entered the room.
"I'm afraid I agree with you" muttered Dickie.
-TW- -TW- -TW-
Dickie arrived back at the hotel in low spirits. There was a message waiting for him at the desk asking him to contact Inspector Money.
Dickie placed the call "How can I help Inspector?"
"We've been granted the warrant, and I wondered if you would mind visiting the house with us. It would help with you knowing the layout and possibly some of the staff. You're not obliged to of course, but I'd be grateful." The Inspector requested.
"Yes, of course. Around 2 o'clock? Would that be soon enough?" Dickie asked.
"Yes, that's fine. I've got a couple of chaps watching the house in case we need to go in sooner. I'll see you there. " The Inspector rang off.
Dickie considered his options. He could really do with seeing his solicitor considering the situation at Rosenberg & Smithson and he wanted some advice about John. Also, he would need to update his will in light of recent events. He had been invited to dine with Hugh this evening, so it wasn't all bad news, but he certainly wouldn't be going home today. With a heavy heart he placed a call to Crawley House.
"Hello Stokes, I trust all is well?" Dickie asked when the telephone was answered.
"Yes m'lord, all fine and dandy here." Stokes replied "Her ladyship is out, m'lord, and she told me she wouldn't be back until after lunch."
"Yes, I did expect that, but this is possibly the only chance I'll get to pass on a message. Can you please let her know that I won't make it home today and that I will try and call early evening. There's just too much I need to do here." Dickie advised.
"Of course m'lord. Are you sure you don't need me to come down?" Stokes asked.
"No, I'm fine. The Savoy is rather grand and they're looking after me splendidly. Please tell her ladyship not to worry." Dickie assured him.
"Very good m'lord" Stokes rang off and paused to consider. It took him but a couple of minutes before he decided that he would head over to the Dower House and let Lady Merton make the decision.
Isobel was surprised to see Stokes heading up the driveway and started to worry. When he was shown in to the drawing room Isobel immediately asked "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Please m'lady, nothing dreadful has happened." Stokes tried to calm her "His lordship has just rung to say he won't be coming home today as he has too much to do in London. He said he would call early evening."
"Not coming home?" Isobel asked. One night without him had been hard enough. A second did not fill her with joy.
"No m'lady" Stokes replied.
"What aren't you saying?" Isobel queried.
"I asked his lordship if I should go down m'lady, but he said not. Only… I know this is overstepping rather, but he sounded rather tired and in low spirits m'lady" Stokes hoped he wasn't over egging this pudding. "Also, he mentioned the Savoy are looking after him rather well m'lady."
"The Savoy? Why isn't he at Merton House?" Isobel was concerned. Stokes had known Dickie much longer than she had. If he sensed something was wrong then it only reinforced her desire to be with him and know what was happening rather than guessing. She looked at Cousin Violet.
"There's more to this, isn't there." the Dowager stated.
"Yes. I'll tell you over lunch." Isobel turned back to Stokes. " Ask Nancy to pack for me, and you pack anything extra you think his lordship may need. I'll have lunch and catch an afternoon train. I don't think you and Nancy need come, but I'm not going to leave him to fend for himself - however nice the Savoy is."
Mr Stokes was visibly relieved and could barely contain his smile. With a bried "Very good m'lady" He beat a hasty retreat from the Dowager Countess' searching gaze.
"What on earth is going on?" The Dowager asked as they made their way through to luncheon "I thought the highlight of my day was going to be listening to the arguments at that dull committee meeting you attended this morning, but this all seems to be far more mysterious and juicy!"
"Oh Violet, it's all such a mess!" Isobel groaned