Chapter 8

The caterer was on time and lunch was wonderful. Buddy and Larissa stayed to work through some details. The two assistants went on to where ever they were going next. When they were gone Mr. Bell said, "I think we have the makings of a good, long term, relationship that will be of benefit to us, them, and Branson."

Jack and Winnie were waiting when we finished up and headed for home. Benjamin was very glad to see me, but not nearly as glad as Colleen. Rebecca was still a little under the weather, and tended to be cranky since coming home from the hospital. I didn't think she was jealous, or angry about Winnie, but vowed to spend some time with her and find out.

It was time for a trust update, and we gathered in the family room to hear the news.

"Brian, the trust continues to grow at an outrageous rate. Our 'commissions' from the DOJ keep coming in. Judge Jones refuses to say how long the sale of Tim Sanderson's company will pay out, but he thinks it will be several years, at the least. You remain the plaintiff in the action to give the government cover to continue to exploit the various methods the mob uses to hide money.

"As we speak, or more correctly, as of the first of April, the total value of the trust exceeded three-billion eight-hundred and ninety million dollars. Interest income from the bond purchases is paying into the trust twenty-four million, three hundred and ninety thousand per month. You are personally funding a sizable portion of the national debt.

"The Branson Eagles purchase and build out didn't even make a dent in your monthly income. Your charitable giving exceeded five million again last month.

"The trusts you had us create for Tammy Weldon and her girls in Indiana are fully funded, and rolling over, on time, as per our plan. Our local investigator tells me that the twins are doing very well in school, Carrie is adjusting to life without a father, and Tammy has a serious boyfriend. If he had to guess, our man says a fall wedding is in the air.

"Jennifer is responding slowly to Doctor Abrams' magic potion and will come home to continue drug therapy sometime next month, as long as she continues to thrive. Sherrie has been taking treatment for a slight heart problem, which does not appear to be serious, but will need continued monitoring. Jerry is home enjoying his bachelorhood – again – and golf seems to be taking precedence over girls.

"Grayson Foster apparently liked prison a little too much, and was recently diagnosed with HIV. His prognosis is poor." Mr. Bell stopped when he saw my reaction. Hands clenched, muscles tight as piano wire, and a red face told my family how I felt about the man who arranged to have my mother killed.

"Maggie is doing extremely well in pre-med. Rebecca can give you details, but her grades are exceptional. The family farm has been revitalized and the current crop looks like a winner.

"The fourteen families you asked us to help following the spring tornado are all resettled in homes you bought. Our people furnished each home as per your instructions. Cars were purchased from our local Toyota dealer and delivered anonymously. Each vehicle came with fully funded insurance policies, taxes, tags, and license paid in full."

It went on like that for a little while longer. Because I had insisted they all be given full access to the trust, the whole family was present when Mr. Bell shared how I spent money.

After Mr. Bell finished with our trust business, we all sat around enjoying visiting. Rebecca seemed out of sorts, and I wondered if she was in pain, but when I inquired she blew it off. Colleen gave me a look I couldn't interpret. I decided to ask her about it in private.

Dinner was catered and Jack announced that our household staff would start on the coming Monday morning. He seemed pleased with the background examinations, and anxious to have live in staff instead of people coming in from outside on a variety of schedules.

Millie and I spent a couple of hours playing with the babies. James was growing like a newborn should, and Millicent Jane was so precious I couldn't bring myself to put her down for the night. Rebecca finally sent Colleen to tell Millie and me to knock it off and get them to bed.

Winnie slept on the far side of the bed. She quietly told Colleen her period arrived and she was feeling a little under the weather. Colleen wanted to cuddle, and Rebecca didn't have much to say about anything. Something was amiss with her, but she wasn't ready to discuss it with me. I suspected it had to do with Colleen and I agreeing to Rebecca's insistence that we include Winnie in our family.

Jealousy is bad, bad thing.

Friday was a wonderful day! The babies slept almost all night. After playing with Millie and me for hours and hours, they were too exhausted to keep anyone up walking the floor. Millie had breakfast on for Mr. Bell and threw more in for me when I arrived full of good humor, kisses, and laughter. Colleen wandered in, bedraggled, and beautiful. Winnie walked in from her morning security briefing, gave us the highlights and asked if we knew what our plans were for the day. Other than walking gingerly, it was nice to see Rebecca almost her old self.