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Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 16
At the house in Barrington Hills an argument was brewing.
JBJ Assessors was without leadership.
Jo and David had five teams of Adjusters, each consisted of two Junior Adjusters and one cleric.
As a team they examined, tested, sifted, logged every fact, delved deeply into every facet of the lives, family, friends and associates of a claimant until they had a complete picture of what had happened to cause the loss, once they were certain, they presented their conclusion as a file to either Jo or David, in cases like the recent one David had been returning from, they'd been uncertain, couldn't pinpoint what it was, but they'd known there was something, that's when they would ask David or Jo to take over, as they'd been taught, there's no shame in admitting you're out of your depth, it's a good quality.
The last three weeks had seen the teams in a state of limbo, there was no guidance, no one to turn to, it was clear, they were good, getting better with every bit of experience gained, but they couldn't operate without guidance.
Jo and David were expected to be out of commission for an unspecified length of time.
The family was meeting to determine a course of action to stabilise the business.
Mel had stated she would step in until Jo and David were able to take over again, she'd gained the necessary qualifications, she knew she could do it.
There was opposition, from Billy and Jay who dismissed the idea with the reasoning, Mel was an unknown quantity, a woman, they announced they would return to the positions they'd previously held, but their dismissal of Mel's offer had caused some serious friction.
Jace had been the first to voice his serious annoyance after seeing Mel looking crestfallen at being so abruptly rejected.
"With respect Poppas, that was extremely rudely put and totally unwarranted, Mel is qualified to step in, she's helped out both Jo and David whilst they were building their teams, the business is now nearly three times the size it was when you both left it, it operates in a totally different way to the one you operated, you would have to re-learn, I seriously doubt you would cope with the massive amount of business they now handle".
Billy was the one to compound the problem, instead of apologising to Mel for their rudeness in dismissing her offer, he made it worse and raised Jolly's hackles, Jay could be seen like a nodding dog, agreeing with everything Billy said.
"I take exception to that Jace, are you insinuating that your Poppa Jay and I are too old to run our own business, that it would be better to put a woman in our place?".
The flat of a hand hitting the table made them all jump, and Billy knew immediately he'd fucked up, Jolly's face had a look of thunder on it.
"You're very lucky I've taken the drugs which control my hormones Billy Thorn, because if you carry on with this chauvinist tack I swear you'll bloody well regret it, if you can offer a valid reason why Mel's offer shouldn't be considered then explain yourself, but mark my words, you mention the word, or even hint towards the word woman again, and I might just forget I've taken those drugs and attack you viciously anyway".
Jay jumped in to calm things down.
"Jace is right Billy, we probably are too out of touch now to control the business, that's something we need to address when Jo and David are back in the saddle, but for now it makes sense, Mel understands the business much more effectively than we do".
He paused, holding up a hand to silence the one chomping to speak.
"Bare with me here Jolly, I'm trying desperately to be diplomatic, I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be a little uneasy with Mel having total control over that whole section of the business, it's enormous, but I stress, that's got nothing to do with gender, it's to do with how much experience Mel has in making and presenting the final decision, so, I propose we accept Mel's kind offer, and make no mistake, it is an offer we are very grateful to receive, but where possible Billy and I work alongside her, that should give Mel two experienced heads to bounce things off, it also serves to reeducate Billy and myself on how the modern day business operates".
Jolly said.
"You see how easy that was Billy?".
Billy looked sheepish as he replied.
"I apologise Mel, none of that came out as I intended it too, Jay was much better at voicing my concerns, and to endorse what he said, I have absolutely no worries concerning gender, as Jay will confirm, the company which is responsible for giving us enough revenue to build the rest of this vast business empire was JBJ Brokers, it was, right from the start, phenomenally successful, and, at the time, controlled by a completely competent, force to be reckoned with, the one who slapped the table, and incidentally, a woman".
Jolly was smiling now.
"A clever stroke to the ego Billy Thorn, I might forgive you, but the jury's out at present, now I believe, if after receiving a host of insults, Mel is still wanting to offer her services, we should confirm this change in structure before she's tempted to stick her finger in the air and tell us to do one".
Mel laughed, but agreed she was still offering to take on the role and would actually appreciate both Jay and Billy's experience to fall back on.
Jolly raised two other possible problems.
"Will and Jace will be absent from their roles, how are we going to deal with those, and before anyone says something that could be contentious, they are both going to Switzerland, David's health is far more important than this business, they are essential to the musketeer force and they will play their part".
Jace spoke up.
"I already have an agreement from Royce, he'll take over Corporate as soon as I need to leave, he actually does a couple of days shadowing me every month so he's kept abreast of changes".
That last remark was added deliberately as a swipe at his Poppas.
"Tomorrow we'll decide who Mel thinks should be promoted up to fill her PA position, I'm fairly certain I know but, I'll let Mel do that part, I trust her, so in effect we have Corporate sorted".
Again Jace had managed another swipe at his Poppas, then he saw his Momma staring at him, it was one thing for his Momma and Poppas to take a swipe at each other, he had been out of order, her look told him that immediately.
Will saw the look from his Momma to Jace and jumped in quickly to diffuse the situation.
"Same here, Brad's ready for jumping back in whenever I need to leave, one thing I am adamant about, and Brad's not entirely on board, but as I said, I'm adamant, we will be appointing an Assistant CEO, this is something I was already considering to ease the strain on myself, the business is growing at an alarming rate, I'm struggling to keep my head above water, so I know what a strain it will be for Brad, I'll need your approval for the extra salary on this years budget, but if necessary I'm willing to subsidise it".
Billy jumped in again.
"I think this is a subject we seriously need to address pretty soon in every area of the business, possibly what you Momma, Poppa Jay and I failed to remember was the enthusiasm of youth, it's how the business grew so substantially and so fast when we were younger, we expected you guys to have a positive impact, but you've blown all of our expectations right out of the water, so I propose as soon as possible we look at the need to restructure our management, the aim should be to relieve the pressure at the top, we saw enough of what happened to your grandpa and grandma when they struggled with Woodruff, having said that, you will not subsidise a roll which you deem to be important, I propose we deal with this budget change for an extra salary addition right now so that Will can get moving on it, all in favour".
Wills assistant CEO could be recruited immediately and he already had the person earmarked, a move which would see all opposition from Brad melt away.
Over the years Brad and Royce had never adopted, but they'd still built a large extended family from fostering, something they'd always gained pleasure from.
They'd been a home from home for around thirty youngsters, mainly when their parents had been out of commission for whatever reason, many of them still kept in touch, or came to stay, one still lived with them.
Several of those youngsters had gone on to university, funded without them knowing, well that was supposed to be the case, by Brad and Royce, but secrets had a habit of not staying where they should.
One young man, Grif Woodman, had been more significant to them than all of the others, his parents had been nuclear scientists, he often stayed with his aunt when they traveled.
In a terrible turn of events, at around sixteen years old, his aunt was taken seriously ill, and subsequently passed away, whilst his parents were abroad.
Brad and Royce were asked to take him in on a temporary fostering basis, they'd agreed immediately, he'd been grateful, enjoying their company, until the day Royce came home and found him sobbing uncontrollably in his room.
He'd received news his parents were killed in a freak accident whilst inspecting a dangerous section of a reactor.
It had been Brad and Royce who'd consoled and guided him through the grieving and the funerals.
They'd asked him if he wanted to stay with them on a permanent fostering placement until he turned eighteen and became of age a year and a half later, he'd been grateful and stayed with them ever since, he was twenty six now, a university graduate, working a senior position in JBJ Brokers, Will had earmarked him for the assistant CEO role.
When Jace had spoken to Jo and David that evening at the hospital, they'd both endorsed Mel's appointment, Jo going so far as to say.
"If she wants to appoint someone to work alongside her, tell her to do it, we definitely need to expand the top management structure, it's something David and I have been rather lax at addressing, if Mel gets any opposition from the Poppas, tell her to speak to Momma, I'm going to have a private word before we leave for Switzerland, we've both been grateful for the help Mel's given us to date, she'll be okay if she's left to get on with it, but remind her not to take any shit from the Poppas".
Jacqueline had also been busy, she'd spoken to Woody about finding a property in Switzerland big enough to accommodate everyone, but even she couldn't quite believe the house Lenny and PJ had bought all those years earlier, for Juan and Pierre to use, was back on the market, it was a perfect choice.
Lenny had sold it after Pierre and Juan came home, reasoning it was doubtful the family would ever use it again.
It was actually on the market as, Let or Buy, and she'd agreed with Woody's reasoning, to rent if possible as Switzerland wasn't a place they would travel to under normal circumstances.
Woody reminded her, it could be done from the property trust they'd set up, it was purposely set up to provide accommodation for the family so this would qualify.
The following day she'd agreed terms on the property, taking a minimum six months rental, having a clause agreed giving the option to extend, month on month after the original six months ended.
Before they knew it the day arrived.
David had been cleared to fly by his Dr, Lance Cornel, Jo was getting all of his things together, but they were surprised when Lance told them he'd be traveling with them, they'd known David would have medical supervision throughout the journey, but it was what else he told them that caused the surprise, he'd agreed to take a job in the Swiss clinic, he explained.
"I was in complete awe of how he works, I want to learn from him, if I can be even close to how good he is, I'll be over the moon, my only problem is that I've not had time to search out accommodation so I'll need to get cracking as soon as I get there".
Jo winked at David and whispered.
"Oh I don't think he'll have a problem after I talk to Aunt Jacqueline, he saved uncle Woody's life when his plane was hijacked, now he's saved yours, I reckon by now he should be in the super star bracket with Aunt Jacqueline".
Back at the house in Barrington Hills, Jace was saying tearful goodbyes to Mel, Ary and Bobby.
The boys were upset but excited too, they'd been promised, every couple of weeks, they'd fly out to Switzerland for a few days, and they knew Pierre and Juan were taking Junior, Gabby and Berto to stay, they'd hired a Home School Teacher who would travel with them.
At the airport FBO Offices, they met everyone who was going out on this trip, David would be settled in one of the two bedrooms, sedated lightly for the flight, there would also be Jo, Jace and Will, plus Woody, Jacqueline, Pierre, Juan and their three children, plus their Teacher, twelve in total, and a security detail of three who would be relived the following day by Guardian's operatives in Switzerland.
The three security personnel from Chicago would be returned home that following day.
As soon as they were at cruising altitude and free to move around, Lance Cornel went to check on David, Jo saw this as the perfect opportunity to speak to his Aunt and Uncle.
"I found out an interesting nugget of information earlier".
Both Woody and Jacqueline were listening intently.
"Dr Cornel is not just traveling out to keep an eye on David, he's accepted a position at the clinic, he's over the moon about that, but he mentioned he hasn't had time to sort out any accommodation, and I seriously doubt he has much in the way of funds to splash around, he needs to start looking as soon as he gets there, I just thought you might find that an interesting bit of information".
Jacqueline answered him with a kiss on the cheek and.
"Oh we do, you bet we do".
As soon as Jo left them Jacqueline looked at Woody, he answered her look without her saying anything.
"Did you by any chance come across any accommodation that would be suitable close to the clinic whilst you were looking for a larger house?".
Jacqueline smiled.
"There were about a dozen, either apartments or houses, mostly three bedrooms, ensuite master, the apartments all had balconies, but there was one house, recently renovated, it was very tastefully done, with a small secluded garden, I'll get onto that agency as soon as we land, I thought we could buy it, add it to the trust but what do we do about rent, he may be offended if we give it free?".
Woody's reply was predictable.
"One Euro per month for as long as he wants to live there, if he can't deal with that, tell him to stop saving Thorn family lives, we owe him more than he could ever know, and more than we could ever pay".
Jacqueline went off to find him, as she sat down next to him he looked up from the medical journal he'd been studying.
"Mrs Montclair-Thorn, what a pleasure".
Jacqueline smiled.
"I heard the news that you're taking up a position at the clinic, for us that's a bonus, you saved David's life, knowing you're close by as he struggles with these operations and the aftermath, will be reassuring, but we also heard you haven't got any accommodation arranged yet so I'd like to offer my services, I've been dealing with an agency who had several properties close to the clinic, I'm sure there would be something you would be comfortable with, and please call me Jacqueline".
He could see she was genuine but he didn't quite know how to put it.
"Mrs......err Jacqueline, I know you mean well and I do really appreciate it but, I could never afford a property close to the clinic, they're far too expensive, I was looking at areas about a half hour drive away, possibly more but the rents are more in line with what I can afford".
Jacqueline patted his hand.
"Not acceptable, now we can do this the easy way where I tell you how it's going to be and you agree, or we can do it your way, where I knock down every objection before you finally agree, personally I'd prefer the first way it's a lot less mental stress, so which would you prefer?".
He was baffled.
"Well I'd be inclined to choose the first way, but you haven't explained what I'll be agreeing too, so I'm a little confused".
Jacqueline giggled.
"Oh silly me, my apologies, we'll be buying the property, you'll be our tenant, and the rent, fixed in stone by my husband, who's life you saved some time ago, and who will not negotiate is, one Euro per month payable annually in advance, the lease will give you perpetual occupancy until such time as you wish to vacate, I would urge you not to argue, especially with my husband who, when I raised the question that you may not want to accept, said, and I quote, 'One Euro per month for as long as he wants to live there, if he can't deal with that, tell him to stop saving Thorn family lives, we owe him more than he could ever know, and much more than we could ever pay', so you see it's a done deal, let me at least show you the ones I liked".
Before he knew it, and with him still in a fog, not believing the generosity of this family, she had her laptop open.
He agreed, the house, only a five minute walk from the clinic had to be the best, it was beautiful.
"Good, I'm pleased you like it, I'll contact the agency as soon as we land, if it's still available we should have you settled in a few days, until then you'll stay with us at our house".
Before he could reply she was up and heading back to Woody, he noticed her give a thumbs up to Jo as she passed him.
When he saw Jo going in to check on David, he followed him, whilst he was running through David's vitals, he said.
"I'm thinking that must have been your doing, seeing as you were the only person besides David I confided in, and let's face it, David's not doing much communicating at the moment".
Jo laughed.
"Let me guess, you tried to refuse, and were led round in rings until you suddenly realised you'd already accepted, it's a common family ploy, we don't accept no, not when we owe so much to someone, and you have a line of credit that stretches into infinity, so just accept your fate gracefully, it's given with a whole lot of love believe me".
When he left the bedroom Jo was just sat holding David's hand.
He walked down the cabin to where Woody and Jacqueline were sitting.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to disturb you................".
He didn't get any further before Woody invited him to sit with them.
"I just wanted to thank you, you're generosity is a little breath taking, it will mean so much for me to be close to the clinic, and the house Mrs... err Jacqueline is hoping to secure, it's a million miles above the level of accommodation I would have been able to afford, I really am so grateful, I'll leave you now".
Woody stopped him from rising.
"I'm guessing Jacqueline told you what I said, but I'd much prefer you didn't, stop saving Thorn family lives that is, you've given us so much, we could never repay you, this really is nothing, if there is ever a time when you are in need, whatever it is, you call any member of the family, I guarantee we'll move heaven and earth to help you, don't forget that, it's a promise, now tell us all about this new position you've accepted".
The spent a good chunk of the remaining flight time talking before he went to check on David again, he found him awake, but as he entered the bedroom David put his finger to his lips indicating he should whisper.
Jo was fast asleep spooned into David's side.
"He thinks I don't know how he's been knocking himself out these last few days, trying to tie up loose ends business wise, even the case I settled on the day I was shot, he wanted them all settled and billed out before we departed, he's exhausted, let him sleep a while, if it's alright with you I'd rather not have any more medication, I don't like the groggy way it leaves me, I know the landing will probably hurt, but better that for a few minutes than a fuzzy head all day".
Lance smiled.
"Not a problem, if you change your mind, send someone for me, I'll come back and check on you before we land".
David just nodded.
When they landed, everyone was off the aircraft first, leaving the medics to transfer David onto a stretcher and into the waiting ambulance.
David and Jo, along with Lance Cornel, went directly to the clinic, everyone else went to the house.
As they walked in Juan saw the look of apprehension on Pierre's face, dragging him up to a bedroom on the first floor he shut the door behind them.
"Okay stop it Pierre, it wasn't the house that caused us problems it was mostly me, being thoughtless, not realising you couldn't understand my behaviour, this house was good for the majority of the time we were here, we did have happy times here and we will again".
Pier nodded.
"I know you're right, it just came back as a wave of emotion, I'll get it under control, I promise, now let's go see what our brood are up to.
As expected, Berto had already unpacked, everything in his room was neat and tidy, they met him in the hallway, Juan asked him.
"Where are you going son".
The mere mention of either Juan or Pierre calling him son caused Berto to beam like a star as he answered.
"Hi Poppas, I'm going to put Juniors stuff away, it'll be spread all over the room, if I don't hang it up he'll be wearing creased clothes every day".
Berto wasn't criticising Junior, he never would, he was simply stating a fact, he would do anything for Junior and the same for Gabby, just as they would for him, but Junior was definitely the messy one of the three".
As he opened Juniors bedroom door they could see he'd been right, it looked as though the suitcase had exploded, there were clothes everywhere, Junior was on the bed playing on his iPad, earphones in, totally oblivious to the mess around him as Berto started to tidy up.
As they walked back to the staircase, Jacqueline and Woody were heading toward them from the landing which went off in the opposite direction, they could hear Jacqueline talking to someone.
"Excellent, would you take it off the market please, I'll alert my office, you'll get a call tomorrow from Thorn Property Trust, they'll want to know the exact settlement figure and transfer it less twenty percent, that twenty percent will be transferred as we exchange contracts, would it be possible for a viewing of the property, it's not critical for the sale, but the person who's going to be residing there would like to see inside, oh that's good can we say ten o'clock in the morning?, thank you, we'll see you then".
Pierre looked puzzled and asked.
"You've bought another house?".
As they walked downstairs Woody explained about Lance, Pierre agreed, it was a nice thing to do, and he really deserved it.
In the big lounge, they found nearly everyone, including Lance Cornel, who'd returned from the clinic after getting David settled, Jacqueline approached him.
"I've got the house for you so you'll be set up in a couple of days, when do you start at the clinic?".
He was over the moon and replied that he didn't start until Monday so he had six days to get settled and find some furniture.
Jacqueline replied.
"I've arranged for us to go have a look round the property at ten in the morning, then we can go shopping for those furnishings, I want to know you have everything you need".
He tried to object but Jacqueline just raised a hand.
"I believe we've been here before, do I really have to remind you how it works, I tell you what's going to happen, you agree, job done, so simple, please, don't complicate matters".
She was still smiling as she walked off, leaving him sighing, but also smiling.
The following morning they arrived at the house around five minutes before ten o'clock, the agent was waiting to welcome them.
It was an amazing house, far too small for the family, but perfect for Lance, if a little larger than he needed.
After looking over the property Jacqueline informed the agent they needed keys as soon as possible, to receive the furnishings they'd be having delivered, the agent didn't quibble, he handed Jacqueline the set he had with him.
And then she took Lance to a house furnishing agency.
He'd been totally in awe as the agent led him through a room by room plan of the house, showing him what she felt fitted for each room, he didn't object to anything, though he doubted he'd ever touch anything for fear of breaking something.
When he visited the house again four days later, it had been transformed, it was fully furnished, ready for him to settle in.
Whilst all this had been going on, David was being prepared for his first operation, the doctor had called in Pierre, Piers, Jo, Jace, Will and Juan, he'd explained in David's presence.
"Pierre knows what you have to do, he's experienced it, David has been paralysed for weeks, his body knows that, but his brain sometimes gets confused, it thinks the areas below the waist are being difficult, naughty, just not answering, so it invents phantom ailments, like cramp, burning sensations, the brain can convince you there's pain coming from a leg that has no feeling, and there's no way to deal with it, because there's no sensation in the area it's targeting, so we need a series of exercises, we need his legs to be supple, not stiff, I'll leave you to get that organised, his first operation is two days from now so get working musketeers".
And so it started, a daily round of exercises, two of the team at a time, they worked day and night, every four hours, and David never complained, though sometimes they could see the pain clearly expressed in his facial expressions.
Two days later he went into theatre at eight o'clock in the morning, the day became never ending, everyone's nerves were at breaking point, it didn't take anything at all for someone to snap a response to another, by two o'clock in the afternoon David's hospital room was full of family, but it wasn't until half past three that the doctor came to update them.
"Okay, it's not been easy but, on the other hand, it's not been impossible either, we've connected a large portion of the nerves which were shot away, they had enough extra length to allow us to do that, we've instigated some bridges, that's a jump to a different pathway, so that the signals still go where the brain wants them to, and we've stitched in some extensions, these are the worrying ones, we don't know if they will work, we just have to wait and see".
He paused for a moment.
"I know this is alien to you, because you're Thorn family, but I'm asking you to go home, you can stay if you wish Jo, I'll have a spare bed arranged for you in his room, but there's no real point, he won't be awake for at least seven days, that's important, the nerves have to have time to heal, they'll need to strengthen before he starts putting pressure on them, and if he were awake he'd be in extreme pain right now, nerves don't like being messed with, they'll make you scream, so we hold him in a coma, until we feel the time is right, and that time is seven days hence".
Everyone except Jo returned to the house, Jo was adamant, he wasn't leaving until he knew David was awake.
TBC ARB Allan
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