AN ORPHAN By Lee Mariner
May 2002
DISCLAIMER: This is a gay fictional fantasy and depicts homosexual acts between adult men. IF YOU ARE NOT OF LEGAL TO READ THIS TYPE OF STORY OR YOU DO NOT APPROVE OF SUCH MATERIAL, PLEASE LEAVE.
All characters depicted are fictional and in no way related to any person or persons living or deceased.
ENGAGING IN UNPROTECTED SEX CAN LEAD TO LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
This work is copyrighted by the author and may not be reproduced in any form by any person without the specific written consent of the author. It is assigned to the Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but it may not be copied or archived on any site without the authorization of the author.
Copyright: 2002 - Author: Lee Mariner - All Rights are reserved.
Mariner23502@hotmail.com
Chapter #17
Stewart and I sat of the couch sorting the papers from my attache case after I had freshened our drinks. The two Audit/Inventories lay side by side and the differences were obvious. The cover pages did not match and the dates were almost 4 months off. The contents of the two files did not match but the difference in the paper that had been used in the printing of the documents was of a different quality. Stewart was leafing through the pages while I sorted out the various documents pertaining to legitimacy of my being the only heir, various listings of banks and investments that were all part of the estate. All of it was mind-boggling and I sure was glad that Stewart and Robert knew more about it then I did.
"Clyde, the more I look at these two inventories the less I like it. The Audit done by Ingles- Summers & Simpson in Omaha was done three months before your uncle died and shows the West Point property as being part of the estate. The Audit that Dickson sent us was done was done by the same firm but its cover sheet indicates it was done by the local office in Lincoln and after your uncle's death. It shows the farm as still part of the estate but listed as part of a wholly owned subsidiary called West Point Associates in West Point with a value of $3.7 million and with an option on purchasing the Branston with good faith money of $1.3 million in an escrow account. Damn, these are the two main documents Robert is going to need."
Devon hadn't come back yet from filling the liquor cabinet in Robert's room. It was not until later we found he was filling more then a liquor cabinet.
Robert returned to his darkened room tossing his robe on the bed, he hadn't opened the drapes after Brian left but the light coming from the connecting door and that filtering in around the closed drapes was enough and he went on into the bathroom. Finished relieving himself, he washed his hands and reached for a hand towel standing in front of a large full length mirror. He looked at his reflection as he dried his hands seeing a well- built man of 30, 6' with broad shoulders, well muscled chest, arms, legs and a flat hard stomach. His hips were narrow and a very thick light brown almost dirty blond pubic bush covering his pelvis and framing a very respectable almost 8" cock when erect with a thick base, smooth shaft and foreskin covered pink head. A small drop of urine still lingered and he shook it off feeling a light cock thickening surge as he did. "Damn" he thought thinking about Stewart. "Except for a few years and a being a little heavier we could be twins."
The slight bulge he had seen in Stewart's crotch made him think they were probably about the same size & they both were uncut. He didn't lust for Stewart but that thought brought back memories of when he had jerked Stewart off and the many times afterwards that they could have done it together and learned more about each other but didn't because he was ashamed at having touched him and afraid to admit he might be gay and had enjoyed it.
Maybe he and Stewart could get to know each other better in the next few days he thought as he hung the towel back on the rack.
Running his fingers through his hair as he walked toward his bedroom he heard the clink of glass on glass and stopped in the doorway seeing someone pushing a cart through the open connecting door from Stewart and Clyde's rooms. He stood there frozen realizing he was naked, silhouetted in the lighted doorway and watched as the door was slowly closed throwing the room into semi-darkness. He recognized the young man he had seen earlier in the lobby when they had arrived and he inhaled deeply filling his lungs & a wave of excitement flowed through him. His mind raced for a moment remembering Stewart had said the young man had asked about him downstairs.
Leaving the light on in the bath, Robert moved into the soft darkness his semi-hard cock swinging in front of him. The excitement grew inside of him at the thought of being caught naked as Devon pushed the cart closer stopping a few feet away.
"Your brother asked me to take care of you first Mr. Ricksford, my name is Devon."
"I know Devon, Stewart told me." Robert said softly as he moved around the cart meeting Devon taking him in his arms.
"You don't mind do you Devon?"
"It's what I was hoping for." Devon said as his fingers wrapped around Robert's steel hard cock, lifting his face to him.
Their lips met in a soft and then crushing kiss as tongues plunged into opened mouths sucking the air from each other. Robert felt hard lean muscles under Devon's shirt as he pulled him closer driving his hard cock against the cloth covered hard bulge trapped inside tight trousers.
Breaking their kiss, Devon quickly started removing his shirt and kicked his loafers and trousers from around his ankles. They stood looking at each other breathing hard running hands over hard muscled bodies & moving to the bed laying on it.
Devon was Robert's height but his body was lean hard muscle with cut definition. His thick cut cock, a little smaller then Robert's lay on his stomach.
"I wanted you when you came in the lobby with Stewart and Clyde and I asked Stewart if you were his brother. God you made me hot just watching you move. I just knew I had to get to know you better Mr. Rick..." and then he felt fingers cover his lips.
"Call me Robert. I was thinking the same thing about you. Stu told me you asked about me. I didn't think I'd see you this quick though."
"I don't have much time for anything right now Robert, Martineze knows I came up here. Jesus you feel great next to me. Maybe we can get together later if you want too after I get off work?"
"Devon, I want you probably as much as you want me so for now lets just lay here for a few minutes and then later we can spend more time together."
Robert and Devon lay with each other exploring their bodies and kissing. Pre-cum was dripping from steel hard cocks each time they touched, their passions rising.
Suddenly Devon sat up, looking down at Robert. "Now Robert, not later, now. I want to take you now" he said as he lowered his lips taking his hard cock in his mouth slowly letting it slide in and down his throat.
Robert gasped loudly sucking air between clinched teeth his cock filling Devon's mouth and throat. Reaching for his hips he pulls at Devon and he twists his body around. Not taking his mouth from Robert's hard throbbing cock he stretches beside him and pushes his cock at Robert's face feeling it being devoured inch by inch until his thick pubic hair pressed against his chin and lower lip. They both lay quietly for a moment breathing deeply before slowly sliding their hot rods in and out gripping lips sucking in a steady rhythm as they drove their cocks deep in a gentle plunging movement.
Both young men groan feeling the heat surging upwards from churning balls as their muscles slowly tighten their impending volcanic explosions hardening and swelling already thick cock. Ecstatic shocks rush through them as their backs arch and great gushing rivers of molten hot sperm flow spasm after spasm, straining muscles controlling their bodies as the streams of their bodily fluids are consumed.
With a final surge they both collapsed still holding wilting softening cocks with tight lips draining stripping the last of the sperm that had surged from now tight ball sacs.
Robert falls away from Devon on his back, his heart racing in the intense after glow of the euphoric feelings washing over him his breathing slowly returning to normal. Feeling Devon release him and twisting around he opens his eyes seeing his gleaming brown eyes looking into his as his full luscious lips cover his. Opening their mouth they kiss and taste their sperm mixing with saliva that they both swallow.
"I hate doing that too you Robert but I couldn't wait. I don't care if Martineze does have a fit. I better get dressed and go though."
"Who in hell is this Martineze Devon?"
"Ask Stewart and Clyde, they'll tell you all about him. I'll leave the liquor cart here and get it later." Devon said as he dressed quickly kissing Robert. "I'll see you at dinner and then later if you want."
Devon slipped out the door closing it quietly leaving Robert naked and leaning on his elbows.
Robert jumped out of bed his still slightly hard cock swinging and took a quick shower. Snapping the lights on he dresses in tennis shorts and pullover and takes a few bottles of assorted liquors and mixes from the cart that Devon had left putting them in the cabinet next to the refrigerator.
He felt good and pushed the cart to the door sliding it back.
Stewart and I were going through papers when we heard the connecting door slide back and looking up the cart that Devon had been pushing came through but Robert was pushing it and he had a big smile on his face.
"Hey big brother" Stu exclaimed. "When did you start working for the hotel? Where's Devon, don't tell me he left like Brian did?
"He left through the same door but not like Brian did. I don't know which one of you told him to take care of the liquor cabinet in my room but he knows how to fill more then a liquor cabinet. Damn Stu, I haven't felt so alive in months."
I couldn't help but smile at the excitement Devon had obviously caused with Robert and Stu was almost beside himself as he hugged his brother kissing him on the cheeks.
"Clyde sent him over first Rob, you looked like you needed cheering up. Devon seems like a nice kid, we don't know that much about him except he is gay. He spotted you right away and asked about you but I told you that already. Are you going to see him again?"
Robert surprised me with his next move. He sat next to me on the couch and he gave me a big hug, kissing me on the lips not the cheek. It wasn't a passionate kiss but the kind you give someone you like and have feelings for.
"We'll have to work on that Rob, not quite as good as Stu but it will do for now." I said ducking the pillow Stu threw at me and we all laughed.
"I've been wanting to do that since I arrived. Don't get mad at me Stu, he's all yours but don't forget Clyde's my brother-in-law now so I get a little leeway."
Stu stood there looking at his brother beaming and his eyes glowed with the love he had for him. Inside of me I had a feeling this was going to be a real reunion and bonding between them, I sure hoped so for Stewart's sake and Roberts, they needed each other. I felt deep warmth inside of me as I listened, looking at the two of them. The thought went through my mind that the Orphan now had two where not long ago he had no one.
Robert and Stewart were hugging each other and I couldn't help but notice that except for a few years and a couple of pounds they could be twins. They both had light brown hair, blue eyes and about the same height and builds. Broad shoulders, narrow waists with flat hard stomachs. Their thighs were muscular and had a light covering of hair that glittered almost golden in the light. I knew how big Stu was and from the bulge in Roberts crotch he was probably about the same if not a little bigger.
Leaning back with my arms extended over the back of the couch I gazed at them until Stu turned his head to me.
"What are you so deep in thought about? When you sit looking like that I can tell all kinds of things are going through your head."
"Nothing serious, just how much you two are alike. Have you ever really looked at yourselves? If Robert dropped a few pounds and changed his hair style a little you couldn't tell each other apart except up close."
"We are brothers you know and some do look pretty much alike."
"I know Robert but you and Stu are pretty close to being twins."
"Well I do remember when he was 13 or 14 I caught him playing with himself. I had to finish it and he was pretty big then. Hope he has grown some since."
"I have big brother, you should have stuck around and you might have found out how big."
"That was my fault Stu, not yours. I didn't know what I was back then and it scared the hell out of me when I enjoyed playing with you. Took me until after Daphne was born and Marie had her tubes tied off without telling me before I really knew. She didn't want sex and that was more frustrating then you can imagine. What was even more frustrating was wanting sex with men and not knowing why or what I could do about it. Your friend Scott caught me at a very bad time and then you caught us in bed. He told me you wouldn't mind or I never would have done it. I thought I had lost you after that Stewart. Marie had a hysterectomy and I found out she didn't need it. She went stone cold after Daphne was born."
"Robert, why are you telling me this? After all these years you're talking with me, why?"
"Because we never talked before and it was my fault not yours. I was scared of being gay and touching you and liking it scared me even more. Who could I talk with? I was in college you were in private school and when I was home you were growing and those feelings kept screwing me up. Mom was in her own world and Dad worked, worked all the time. Who could I turn to Stewart? You were gay and you knew it, I knew it but how could I tell you about me. I didn't know what I was or what I wanted. I was angry and jealous. "
Stewart sat looking at his brother and glanced over at me a hurt look in his eyes. Robert had bared his soul and Stewart didn't know what he should do.
Scooting over by Stewart I took him in my arms and whispered in his ear, "go over, hug him and tell him you love him, you know you do. Get this over between you now or you might lose each other altogether and you don't want that."
Stu stood up looking at me and I urged him on. He walked to Robert and sat on the arm of his chair pulling his head into his lap stroking his hair.
"Robert, you are my older brother, my only brother. Nothing is going to change that, not sex or anything. What's done is done and we really only have each other. Look at me please."
Robert lifted his face to Stewart and he leaned down kissing him on his lips gently, softly. "I love you big brother, I always have and always will. We'll get through all of this together."
Reaching up, Robert pulled Stewart down into his lap burying his head in his chest, his body heaving as he cried holding Stu tight. Stewart kissed his brothers hair, running his hand over his back and neck while I went to the bar and fixed three strong drinks. Sitting them on the table, I put my arms around the two of them and kissed Stewarts upturned face and then I kissed Robert.
"How about a drink and then we look at these papers?"
"Damn Clyde where did Stewart find you? Don't you ever get upset?"
"Sometimes Robert but I don't have a brother that pisses me off. But that might change now that I have you two but I'm bigger than both of you."
"Not put together you aren't Clyde, I know."
"See, one lawyer is not enough I've got two."
After we finished our drinks, the three of us sat on the couch with Robert in-between us. Stewart had the two audits in front of him since they seemed to be the main documents we needed to discuss. The rest of the papers related mostly to my background and ancestry. This was for Robert and Stewart to go over not me so I fixed myself another drink taking a bottle from the cart that Devon had left behind.
Robert was leafing thorough the audits checking items off and making notes.
"When did you say the probate hearing was Stu?" Robert said making some more notes as he spoke.
"In a week, I think next Friday. Isn't that what Dickson said Clyde?"
"I believe your right. We are supposed to meet with him tomorrow but that's not for anything doing with the probate hearing. We are supposed to be going over the papers you and I asked him about the other night, remember? The duel ownership, rights of survivorship, that stuff."
"He suggested you do that Clyde?"
"He sort of hinted about it Robert but I had already been thinking about it and really wanted it done that way."
"I wonder if he has checked Nebraska law and knows how it applies to a gay relationship? From what I know of Dickson, he operates a general law practice specializing in real estate."
"He is supposed to be bi-sexual so maybe he knows something about it."
"He's supposed to be a bi-sexual Stu? How do you know that?"
"A new friend of ours, that you will be meeting, told us about it. He is supposed to be having an affair with Martineze here in the hotel."
"Martineze, that name again. Devon mentioned him a little while ago. At first he was worried about being gone to long for fear this Martineze would get pissed and then he said to hell with him in so many words. I asked him who he was but he told me to ask you two."
"Sounds like you helped him get over being afraid of Matineze." Stu said softly placing his hand over Roberts. "I hope so, Devon seems like a hell of a nice young man. He helped me realize some things but we'll talk about that later. Right now I want to find out more about this Martineze and his relationship with Dickson. What time is your appointment tomorrow Stu?"
The wall between Stewart and Robert was melting but I could see he had a bone in his teeth and was like a Terrier. His eyes had intensity in them as he studied the audit documents. Right then, I decided I was glad he was my lawyer and friend.
"At 10:00, why? You're going with us aren't you?"
"None of us are going, we call him in the morning and cancel. I'm still your lawyer Clyde until the probate hearing is closed. Right now, my advice is nothing is signed until we get a better handle on just why there are these differences in the two audits. I brought my laptop with me and we can set up the link with the office and our main database. Joy will help us at that end if we need it."
"What ever you say Robert. That's why Stewart called you."
"I'm glad he did. Stu, do me a favor, will you get my attache case from my room? I forgot about it pushing the liquor cart over."
"You sure that's all that made you forget it?"
"Get the case for me you imp or I'll spank you!!"
"Gee, I bet that would be fun?" Stewart managed to say as he dodged a playful blow to his shoulder.
We watched as Stewart crossed the floor, opening the door. Robert turned and looked at me when he disappeared through the door. "Thanks Clyde, you have been a big help to me and Stewart. I've always loved him but not as much as I do now."
"I didn't do anything Rob, you and he did that. You just needed the time and the place to get it all out. He was just as confused as you except he knew what he was and you were still trying to find out."
"Well, you had a lot to do with it whether you realize it or not. I sure am happy he has you for support and love. Lord knows I didn't do much in helping him."
"He has that Rob and you do too if you want it. Just stop beating yourself up and realize how much he does love you."
Robert was about to say something when there was a knock at the door and I got up too answer it as Stewart walked back into the room.
"Cody, Adam. Come on in and meet Stu's brother Robert. Aren't you guys a little early? Not that it matters."
"Just a little Clyde. Adam & I thought we might be able to get a head start with a cocktail or two before dinner. Where's Stu's brother, not this good looking hunk sitting here?" Cody said sweeping in the room with Adam following shaking his head.
"You have to forgive him Clyde. He's not like this all of the time, we had a drink or two before leaving the house."
Robert had gotten to his feet as Cody and Adam entered the room, he looked almost thunderstruck. Before introductions could be made Cody made a beeline for him and ignoring his outstretched hand he gave him a bear hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Is this Robert or Stewart? Damn there are some good-looking men back east. I'm just kidding Robert, Cody Walton. Nice meeting you, Stu told us you were on the way here."
"Cody, your forgetting Clyde and Stewart. Hi Robert, Adam Dowell, Cody's other half. Nice meeting you and I must agree with his initial observation."
"I'm flattered you think so, its nice meeting the both of you. Unfortunately they didn't tell me much about you. Nebraska seems to have some good lookers as well as back home."
"Aren't we just full of praise for each other? If you want a drink there's the fixings. We were going over some of the stuff and trying to figure out what's going on. Stu was getting Roberts attache case when you guys knocked."
"You must be having a hard time figuring it out if you need your own liquor cart besides the cabinet."
Oh that, Devon brought it up and left it Cody. Roberts's liquor cabinet was empty and ours was low. Clyde and I got the papers together while he filled Robert's first but he left it here since he was running short on time and Martineze was being a piss ant or something like that." Stu said glancing at Robert with a grin.
"Martineze, that name seems to pop up quite a bit. What do you and Adam know about him, he seems to have a prominent place in things around here." Robert said while fixing a drink of Schweppes Tonic and ice with a dash of limejuice.
Stewart walked around the couch and sat on the arm next to me, his arm draped over my shoulders. Robert turned from the bar looking at Cody and Adam waiting for an answer to his question. Both Cody and Adam glanced at each other before Cody answered.
"What do you want to know Robert? Do you want facts or rumor?"
"Just give me an overlook of who Martineze is Cody. Tell me what you told Stewart and Clyde."
Cody told basically the same story he had told Stu and I about the kickbacks from various tour/sightseeing agencies cutting him out, his sexual involvement with Dickson and his own philandering with hotel employees. The biggest thing was his bragging about taking over the Branston and soon. The gay community in Lincoln was a pretty tight knit group and just about everyone knew of the relationship Martineze and Dickson had. Dickson's proclivity for sex with men outside of his marriage was not a well-kept secret.
"The both sound like real beauties. I'd like to know more about Dickson though. If anything were not above board he would be the one behind it. Martineze sounds like a sexual predator who uses his position for seducing young men. I can see now why Devon was concerned about being gone for very long if Martineze is all you say he is."
Cody and Adam were looking at each other quizzically at Robert mentioning Devon's name not sure what they should say. I grinned, filling them in.
"Devon helped Martineze out by bringing the cart up. The kid that usually does it was not in. He filled Robert's cabinet first but was concerned about the way Martineze was acting so he left it here. Remember Stewart mentioning it when you got here?" "I don't know why he would be worried about him, not as many times as he has told Martineze to fuck off and leave him alone Clyde. Devon doesn't work for Martineze; the restaurant is not part of the hotel. There is a restaurant chain that rents that space from the Branston family. Part of the deal as I understand it is that the Branston's wouldn't let the chain put it's name on the restaurant and it was named "The Lincoln Room". The chain people wanted the prestige of having a restaurant in one of the few 5 Star/Diamond Rated hotels in Nebraska so they have a lease with the family for that space and the right to add the Lincoln Room on their corporate stationary as being operated by them. It was a big hassle for a while until it was settled. Lincoln wanted the restaurant to locate in the city but they couldn't force the family to allow them to do what they wanted. There has always been a restaurant in the hotel but it was operated like a family run business. Adam and I studied about it in our business courses in school. There have been rumors that the chain might pull out when the lease expires, they aren't that happy. If they pull out, the value and rating of the Branston will fall for sure."
"Damn Cody, you two are full of information, the kind a lawyer needs. Right now I am starved, when are we going for dinner?"
"Right now big brother, I'm hungry myself. Change into a pair of slacks with shoes the shirts fine, while Clyde and I get changed. You guys be okay for a few minutes?"
"Awwwwwwww we were hoping we could watch. Go ahead, were alright." Adam said grinning at the way Robert looked at him before leaving.
Stewart and I changed our shorts for slacks and added slip on loafers. When we got back in the living room, Cody and Adam were using the time for a little petting and our walking in did not stop them but must have given Stu ideas. He spun around and melted into my arms pressing his luscious lips to mine in a tongue-devouring kiss. We pressed tight against each other until we heard Robert and broke apart just a little embarrassed.
"I little dessert before dinner. You guys have an advantage I don't."
"Only for a little while Robbie." Stewart said as he walked over gave Robert a little peck on the lips. Adam and Cody still not fully aware of what was going on. We had not mentioned Robert's sexuality, no reason for it.
Devon was standing at the doorway for the Lincoln Room when we got off the elevator. His eyes lit a little when he saw Robert and Stu and I grinned at him giving him a wink. I think he blushed just a little.
"Your table is ready Stewart, Hi Cody, Adam, good seeing you again. You won't mind if I serve you will you? We are just a little short handed right now. Two girls called in with family problems."
Just as we started into the restaurant we heard Martineze calling.
"Mr. Ricksford, Mr. Ricksford."
Stewart and Robert both turned toward him and Stewart asked which Ricksford he wanted, there were two of them.
"I'm sorry, I forgot for a moment. Mr. Dickson has called for your brother Robert. I tried his room but there was no answer. I told him you weren't answering & he said you might be with your brother but he wanted to talk with you. When I tried your room again, the phone was busy so he asked that you call him, I have his number here."
"Who is Dickson and why would he be calling for me? No one knows I'm here except my secretary and my father."
"Mr. Dickson is the attorney handling some legal affairs about his inheritance. I assumed that is why you are here. I'm sure he must have called your office in Baltimore and they directed him here."
"Your probably right." Robert said taking the card with Dickson's number on it. "I'll call him in the morning."
"He did say it was urgent that he contact you. I assured him you were here so he probably will call back."
Robert turned looking at Martineze his eyes flashing the same way Stewarts did when he was angry. The rest of us stood waiting and we could see his body tense and click into his lawyer mode.
"Do you make it a habit of divulging who your guests are and there whereabouts Martineze? Are you aware that you may have committed a Federal violation involving invasion of privacy by telling him or anyone who is staying in this hotel without that guests permission?"
The cold even tones that Robert spoke in and his piercing blue eyes made Martineze flinch just a little and a quick flash of fear was exposed for instance as he stammered.
"I'm sorry Mr. Ricksford, I thought I was being helpful. I really hope you aren't upset?"
"Before you are helpful in the future you might want to learn what the laws are that govern invasion of privacy and the rights of your guests. Right now I am going in for dinner with my brother and his friends. If Dickson calls again you may tell him I am having dinner and that I will call him tomorrow. Do you understand that?" Robert said coldly as he turned on his heel not waiting for an answer from a very confused and embarrassed Martineze.
There was a lot of grinning and smiling but no one said anything as Devon escorted us to our table. I for one was becoming more impressed with Robert by the minute but Stewart was absolutely beaming with pride. I think that wall fell completely and he would have hugged him if we weren't in public. I thought for a minute he was about too anyway even after we sat down.
"Devon, would you have a bottle or two of Martini & Rossi Asti?"
"I think we do Robert."
"Good, bring them in ice buckets please and bring a glass for yourself."
"Drinking on duty is not allowed, I can't do that Rob."
"This is a special night for Stewart and I Devon and I know he has one very, very special person here with us and I think three others that are going to become fast friends with the three of us. So maybe you can bend the rules a little tonight?"
"Robert?" Stu said looking at his brother. "You look like you did when you won the Merckles Meat case back home. What are you up too?"
"Not a thing Stu. I told you earlier that I haven't felt so alive in months and you and Clyde are the cause of it. I should probably get out of the office more on some of the cases we've had instead of letting others do it. In the last 15 minutes or so, I have learned as much as if I would go over stacks of papers. I had forgotten what it is like to be on the investigative end of a legal action."
"Robert, Adam & I aren't lawyers but what did you learn talking with Martineze other then you scared the crap out of him? We heard what you heard."
"The biggest thing was that Martineze is Dickson's pipeline. Dickson never called our office in Baltimore for two reasons. Joy would never tell him or anyone where any of us are at. She knows where we are but if she got a call like that she would very deftly advise Mr. Dickson or who ever called that we were unavailable, take their name, number and the reason they would be calling. She would then call and tell us. Joy has our cell phone numbers and knows why I am here and she knew Clyde and Stewart were in Lincoln but not where they would be staying, Dickson set that up for them. I told Joy where we would be but she won't call us on the hotel phones; those phones have ears other then yours. The only way Dickson could have known that Stewart is my brother is that Martineze told him when I arrived and that I was here."
"But Robert, our name is Ricksford."
"Does not mean a thing Stu. We have never met him. I did most of our business with Mr. Goldman his partner. Dickson may know my name from reading it where I signed the certification documents but that's all, he has never heard of you in connection with the firm. He only knows there are two people named Ricksford at the Branston and that could be a coincidence as far as he is concerned. He is either a damned good guesser or Martineze had to tell him. In either case, he knows it now so what. Here's Devon with the wine."
"And you thought being a lawyer was easy." Adam said looking at Cody.
"The easy part is tomorrow Adam, what follows will be harder. By answering a question with a question I learned a few things but the sweet meat is closer to the bone and some dogs bury their bones pretty deep." Robert said as Devon poured wine for each of them.
"There is nothing we cannot live down, rise above, and overcome."
Ella Wheeler Wilcox