A Change of Circumstances

A month passed and Mel was now moved to her brother’s business apartment next to his home and happy with the location where she could have less area to maintain along with her job. It was wonderful for this apartment to have three bedrooms previously servicing multiple clients as her mother could occupy a room if she needed to rest while visiting and it also gave her an office and bed for her daughter to sleep in. Baby Elizabeth Alma felt the lounge area was her personal playroom, so Mel had to clear the mess whenever anyone visited and move all those toys to the toy box in the office. It was not ideal and the old home now with a for sale sign in front of it was much more child friendly. The reality agent had informed her yesterday they were bargaining with four interests who were bidding against each other to get their prize. She was determined to pay out the bank on sale and keep the remaining equity with her lawyer in trust in should Gary’s creditors change their minds and go after her personal assets as the ex-wife. The furniture from that house for sale was stored in one of Benjamin’s warehouses. Mel wondered if the FBI had removed the bugs after she informed them, she was relocating. As her mother could not be there all the time seeing she now lived with her dad in the retirement complex Mel was not servicing counselling sessions online and only working at the hospital when her mother could be there.

Another month passed and the old house had been sold, and the bank paid and released the mortgage documents cancelled. Occasionally Mel would see an unmarked car parked over the road with men in it and it was always the same car and slowly she came to the realization she was still under surveillance. It was annoying. She phoned the FBI and reassured them if Gary contacted her, she’d inform them and was it necessary for them to be keeping watch over her. They told her they were unaware of any such surveillance, but Mel knew it was going to continue until Gary was found and bought to justice.

Another month passed and Mel was busy around the house cleaning at the end of the day after her mother had departed and she was recovering from a shift at the hospital. The bell rang and she moved to the front door to see who was there. It was usually Benjamin’s wife or one of his children, so she looked forward to having them with her for company. On opening the door, she let out a gasp of surprise. There at the door stood Stewart Williams looking very uncomfortable. She stood transfixed wondering if she should close the door and send him away as his face bought back memories of Gary and he having treated her as a non-entity and their cruel treatment of Alma and his granddaughter Elizabeth Alma. Stewart quickly saw her hesitation and spoke.

“I won’t keep you long Melissa and mean you no harm. Can I come in as I’ve some sad news to share and an apology to give you.”

She opened the door wide and indicated the lounge where Elizabeth Alma looked up from playing with her farmyard set and then returned her gaze to the farmyard.

Stewart sat still looking uncomfortable and staring at his grandchild who ignored his presence as she played with her toys. He returned his attention to Mel who was sitting opposite waiting to hear what he had to say. He looked at her for a while, and tears came to his eyes as he spoke.

 “Alma is dead and I want to thank you for making her life a joy while she was still capable of knowing what was happening around her. I’d like to have you as an honoured family member at the funeral along with your mother who was like a sister to her after the birth of this little one. It will be a private funeral as few want to associate with me now after that terrible crime Gary committed. It was only on Alma’s death I realized just how insensitive I’ve been over the years. She was always there for me and my son Gary, and we took that love she gave as our due and didn’t return it as we should have. When she was unable to communicate as the medicine took over and put her to sleep to counteract the pain, she suffered it suddenly occurred to me how badly she’d been treated by husband and son. I spent hours by her bed holding her hand and confessing this and while she was unable to communicate, she must have known this as when she was finally sinking to her death and I was pouring out my grief she squeezed my hand in recognition.”

Stewart was weeping openly now and despite the treatment Mel had received from father and son Mel’s heart went out to him seeing his genuine grief. She spoke softly.

“I’m glad you made your peace with Alma. She’s obviously forgiven you and you’ve made your confession so it’s time for you to forgive yourself and move on hopefully with a different mindset than you’ve had over all those years. You and Gary have made my life hell and despite my innocence the FBI is there in the background watching every move I make. After hearing how you made it right with Alma, I forgive you too, but not Gary. He must be brought to justice and if you know where he is you need to share that information with the FBI and release me from my torture.”

Stewart shook his head drying his eyes.

“I know you have no reason to trust me Melissa, but I had no idea Gary was going to do this. In a way his crime was to embarrass me knowing I’d just disinherited him for causing a divorce that would embarrass the family. So, his decision to steal that money was probably because he thought my money wouldn’t pass to him on my death and wanted to destroy my business and name by doing what he did. So, while you’ve suffered from the divorce and Gary’s reaction it has affected my reputation and business substantially. I really have no friends I can count on now. That’s why I’ve come to beg your forgiveness today and see if we can be family so I can have access to my granddaughter who will inherit what’s left of my fortune after my business has taken a dive.”

Mel sat in silence too shocked to know how to respond. Stewart apologizing? She’d never have imagined such a thing could happen but observing him it certainly seemed he’d changed and her heart went out to him. He too had been let down by Gary. Finally, she spoke as Stewart sat waiting for her to answer.

“You accept your granddaughter Elizabeth Alma as your heir? Am I hearing you right.”

“Well in fact while I was consulting with my lawyer to make sure, we have a watertight case to prevent Gary challenging the will if he ever returns to the US I’d nominated you as my successor. My lawyer pointed out that this may be a risk in case Gary’s creditors name you as a party to the theft at some time in future before the statute of limitations period expires. So, he suggested naming my grandchild with you as her trustee and feels that way money will not slip out of your hands in the event of my death before that statute of limitations expires. Then once that date has expired then I can change that will to put you as the beneficiary.”

Mel stood to her feet in shock. This was totally unexpected as her only experience with Stewart Williams up to this time had been an unapproachable churlish man. This man had discovered decency after all, and she realized what a disappointment it would have been for that divorce to have taken place and Gary’s subsequent actions to destroy the Williams name. Involuntarily she moved to his side on the twin seater and placed her arms around him in sympathy as he resumed shedding tears. He shuddered at her touch and leaned into her placing his head on her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry,” he said softly.

Mel stood.

“How would you like to join us for supper this evening and you can get to know your granddaughter?”

Steward looked up incredulous at that invitation. He’d come this afternoon expecting to be sent away without giving him a chance to make things right and determined to make sure he didn’t spoil his chances ever again. He nodded and smiled for the first time since arriving at Mel’s home. Mel pointed to Elizabeth Alma.

“Why don’t you get acquainted with your granddaughter. I’ll get one of her favourite books and she can sit beside you while you read to her, and I’ll make something for us to eat together this evening.”

She went to the office and retrieved that book then returned to pick up Elizabeth Alma from the floor placing her beside her grandfather.

“Liz your granddad is going to read your favourite book to you, and you can show him how much you remember by telling the story back to him as he reads. Would you like that?”

Elizabeth Alma looked at the man beside her curiously. She already had one granddad Granger, but who was this? However, she welcomed anyone willing to read to her so snuggled in for that familiar story which she’d memorized almost word for word. Mel listened in as she prepared the meal smiling as her daughter repeated the story almost simultaneously as granddad Williams read and he smiled as she repeated it back to him. For the first time in his life Stewart Williams was really enjoying himself and hoped this meant forgiveness and a welcome to their home in future. That was confirmed as mother and daughter saw him off at the door after the meal and he went home feeling for the first time in months life was worth living. There were joys in life far exceeding the cutthroat winning in the business world.

Months had passed since Gary had disappeared from the face of the earth in Venezuela. He was now in Argentina and enjoying life in the mansion he’d purchased there under an assumed name Arnol Mateo. Mata the Argentinian beauty was by his side and enjoying having servants to command. She had contacts in the business, political and criminal world and had been able to get the documentation making him an Argentinian citizen.  It seemed that Arnol had nothing to fear as he now sported a beard and moustache to match his passport and felt confident as he methodically worked his way into the moneymaking circles to turn his money into a profitable business with Mata’s help.

Then one day Mata doing her rounds of her wide-ranging contacts and waiting for an appointment picked up a local newspaper and found an advertisement from the US Embassy offering a reward of a million dollars for information leading to the arrest of Gary Williams. After her appointment she contacted some of the groundsmen looking after the front lawns of the embassy staff scattered around the city neat and tidy asking them to find out how widespread this advertisement was in South America. She knew Gary had done the disappearing act in Venezuela and expected the advertisement should have been directed there alone so her curiosity was aroused. After a week the word came back that this advertisement had been placed in the major newspapers of all countries in south America and who knows where else.

Mata gave that some thought and the million dollars began to appear very enticing indeed. The bulk of this man’s wealth was in that offshore account, and she couldn’t access that, but she could own this mansion. She had enough money from other sources and her own apartment. This kind of property was valuable. Aware of the fact she as an accomplice could end up being arrested, she approached her criminal associates. If they’d see that the title of this mansion mysteriously found its way into her name, then perhaps she might share some information that would gain them a million dollars. They invited her next day to check records, and she smiled as she saw she was the recorded owner of this valuable property. She passed on details of who Arnol Mateo really was and that he was the holder of a passport in that name cleverly constructed by counterfeiters. Mata then told Arnol she had work to do in another city while these criminals approached the US Embassy and a deal made to exchange one million dollars for the information they had.

Two days later as Arnol wondered when Mata would return, he was relaxing in his entertainment area by the pool when a group of men in masks suddenly appeared and forced him into a car as Arnol began to bargain with them for his release if he paid them whatever ransom they asked for. But his pleas were listened to in silence, and he was taken to an abandoned warehouse and kept in a secure room. He heard voices in English and fear rose in his chest. The one’s who’d taken him into custody were holding a large suitcase which they’d already checked out to see if the money was real and counted it meticulously both sides the Argentines and Americans stood apart once the transactions were complete with the American’s pointing guns at the Argentines to make sure they were not being betrayed and the Argentines laughed pointing to an upstairs post where automatic rifles were pointed at each American. Arnol emerged from his confinement shaking and caught a glimpse of Mata watching from a dark place in the distance. The leader of the Americans indicated to the Argentines they were leaving, and the leader spoke in English.

“You’ve had a nice holiday Gary Williams but it’s time to go home now. I think you have something that belongs to us and it all depends on how much we get back and your willingness to help us as to whether your new holiday will be a long one or not.”

Gary was locked up at the Embassy until they could arrange for a CIA aircraft to take them back to the US and interrogated constantly during the time he was in the embassy. Gary said nothing as he wanted to counsel with a lawyer first before disclosing anything. He’d fall on his father’s mercy to lessen the sentence he’d get and hopefully make up for any shortfall in funds to be returned from the offshore account. His mansion in Buenos Aires would have to be sold to lessen that sentence. He had no idea at that stage that it was never recorded in government records under his alias name in Argentina. Perhaps as part of a plea deal, he could disclose that Mata had been a partner in his crimes and reveal the ones who facilitated his new identity there.

 He was to find out that all were protected, and he was considered totally responsible for any illegal acts in that country. The government had no knowledge of any criminal elements that could have helped him with his change of identity there and there was nothing on file to indicate there was such a person as Arnol Mateo in government records. Mata had always been the owner of this mansion Gary was claiming as his and he was only an acquaintance who minded the place when she was on an itinerary.

The trial was a lengthy one with witnesses from his previous investment business and records from clients defrauded. At first Gary refused to let them have access to the offshore bank account thinking that after serving whatever sentence pronounced on him by the courts, he’d at least have a nest egg to cover his retirement needs. Prosecutors made it abundantly clear if that was the case they’d be aiming for a life sentence and a condition that any money that flowed into his accounts when released would be impounded. He gave in after trying all the tricks he could think of without success and agreed for the money to be transferred back to be distributed to clients defrauded. There was a substantial deficit still and he turned to his father to help him out to avoid as much of his sentence as he could hope for. As far as Stewart was concerned Gary could only learn a lesson for serving a sentence pronounced by the courts as perhaps over time he could reflect on the damage, he’d caused his ex-wife and his father’s business interests.

When Stewart’s reaction became general knowledge those who’d been his friends in the business world renewed their contacts realizing the father and son were not involved together in this fraud. Steward relished those contacts renewed and his business began an uphill climb as people took note of his principled stand.    

Stewart had been visiting his daughter in law and granddaughter regularly now and slowly Mel’s parents and siblings warmed to this new Stewart Williams particularly when they learned of his granddaughter’s claim as the beneficiary of estate. With the court case settled Stewart remade his will to make Mel his beneficiary with Elizabeth Alma as the one to inherit on her demise. Then he visited Mel and made a proposal to her which shocked her. He’d taken note of the fact the apartment was rather restricted and his mansion which she’d inherit anyway was much more suitable for Mel’s future. Would she be prepared to move in with him and there was room for her parents to join her if they wished. If Mel were to continue her career, she’d need a full-time nurse to care for Liz when Mel needed to be with clients, and he’d love to have Mel there in the home with him. She’d have full authority over whoever she chose to care for the large home needs, and he’d let the others go with a liberal payout so she could feel those she chose would give her respect and loyalty.

Her brother Benjamin urged her to take the offer as in her best interests and his niece’s as well. So, she accepted and moved in choosing a whole new staff and relishing her new status. She slowly learned to love the new Stewart Williams and put the bad memories of the past behind her. She visited Alma’s grave regularly to place flowers of remembrance and respect which Stewart appreciated greatly, and he poured love on his daughter in law and grandchild. The Grangers decided to remain in their retirement complex as they established relationships there but visited often and marvelled at their daughter’s sudden good fortune happy for her.

They’d been in the Williams mansion for a year now. Stewart had informed his son Gary he should not expect any share of his estate, and this had been carefully worded by lawyers before being delivered by Stewart’s legal representatives to Gary in jail. Gary was angry and made it known loudly he’d contest the will when the time came for his release. This alarmed Mel when she heard of the threat. If her former husband had been brave enough to steal millions of his client’s money and associate with criminal elements before the threat was to be taken seriously. If Gary promised some of those hardened criminals, he now dealt with each day he’d look after them financially if they cooperated with him on his release then potentially her life and that of Liz would be compromised. Steward saw this threat was diminished by employing a private detective to use his contacts in jail to monitor what Gary was up to and give regular reports back. Stewart also saw that a security company kept watch over his daughter in law and grandchild. It was a huge expense, but he could afford that.

 Elizabeth Alma was now of the age where she could be deposited at a preschool centre each day. The preschool had a photo ID on file for both mother, grandfather and nurse who took turns depositing Liz there each weekday depending on the work arrangements of the adults and picking her up of an afternoon when school was out. Liz loved her time at preschool and looked forward to socializing with friends while they engaged in activities of the day.

To be continued

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