Hampton Manor (25 page)

In the event that the water system failure or warehouse fire delayed the meeting of father and son, he was prepared to go ahead with his plan to destroy Hampton Manor. From a professional standpoint he would be reneging on his promise to assure that they were together when the bombs went off, however, there was little likelihood that the client would find out. Anyway, even though they might not be physically together, they were certain to be in the Manor when the bombs went off. Any delay would put the entire plan in jeopardy and he couldn’t allow that to happen. It had to be done tomorrow night, one way or the other.

With the timetable complete there was nothing for the Assassin to do but wait.
It all comes down to everyone playing their roles.
He could feel his heart pumping faster as he looked over the timetable and equipment once again.
God, I love this business. What other profession gives a person such complete control over their work?

Chapter 36

Marcia used a public telephone to make the call, not because she was hiding anything, but because she was unsure of the security of her cell phone. It took several minutes before she got through to Robert Sewell.

“Have you caught up with him yet?”

“Not yet. Hampton has several layers of protection around him at all times and he moves about quite a bit. It’s almost as if he knows I’m after him.”

“He has a lot of informants. He probably knows that you’re looking for him. This isn’t the first time he’s been targeted. Keep at it until you nail him. I want this matter closed soon. I’m anxious to leave this town and I don’t want to go as long as this issue is still open. Have you tried to catch up with him at the Barbiere club? He likes to stop there for cocktails sometimes and to ogle at the dancers.”

“No I haven’t, it wasn’t on my list. I’ll give that a try. Don’t worry Ms. Bloom. He can’t evade me forever. Don’t worry, you’ll have your day in court, yet”

“I hope so. All my funds are tied up. He owes me eighty thousand dollars in back salary, fifty thousand for a bonus I earned and access to my retirement fund. I want him nailed for harassing me as well.”

“It would be lot simpler if you would allow me to go after Hampton Industries rather than Adam Hampton III. I could get that suit filed as early as tomorrow morning.”

“No, Bob, I want the suit to be against Adam. I want him to pay for what he’s doing to me and I want punitive damages. I can’t allow him to hide behind a corporate structure. I’ve been through too much to let him off the hook that easily. He’s personally responsible and he’s going to pay. Big-time! I looking for justice, here.” If you absolutely can’t locate him then serve his personal attorney, Matthew Scheiber. He can accept a summons on Adam’s behalf if necessary.

“Okay, I’ll keep trying to serve him. I’ll put a few more people on it. Maybe I need to employ a femme fatale to get him to drop his guard.”

“Make sure she’s stacked. If there is one thing I know about Adam, he’s a sucker for a nice shape and a big pair of boobs.

“Then, I think I know just the right person for that. I’ll let you know how it works out.”

Chapter 37

Evelyn Littleton sat in her kitchen trying to sort out all the ramifications of what had transpired in the past forty-eight hours. Her plan to settle her score with the Hamptons was in full swing.

Using her connections with the Greater New England Alzheimer Association, which she supports with a generous check every year, she obtained a DNA sample from a recent test conducted on Adam Hampton II. Using the sample and saliva from a glass recently used by Kane, Evelyn arranged for a private paternity test. The test came back showing conclusively that Adam Hampton II was Kane Masterson’s father.
That should be the finishing touch. Just the proof I’ll need to establish Kane’s right to the Hampton Estate.
I’m sure glad I didn’t tell Kane about his real father. He probably would have done something rash and messed up all my plans. His time will come, but not yet.

She now had scientific proof of the truth she had known and concealed for the past thirty-five years. That being done, she was slowly formulating a plan as to how to best use the information to benefit Kane and at the same time do the most harm the Hamptons. Evelyn ran a scenario through her mind,
First, Kane will have to file a claim as a rightful heir to the Hampton estate. The
court
would most likely exculpate
Adam
Hampton
III
from
any
wrongdoing since
at
the
time
he
was unaware of Kane’s
existence
.
Kane’s
claim
might be weakened by my failure
to
disclose his
legal
right
as
an
heir
at
the
time
of
the
competency
hearings
.
 

Why did I have to be so proud? Why was it so important to me that Kane be kept at arm’s length with the Hamptons? That decision has just made this business that much harder.
Of course I know the reason. I didn’t want to have a scandal connected to Kane’s name. He was already making a name for himself. at Preston Industries. He didn’t need to be mixed up in this mess. The Courts can’t hold that against him. That was entirely my doing. Look at the results. I couldn’t have raised a finer man. This is getting to be too much for me to handle alone. I ‘m going to need some help with this if I’m going to pull it off successfully.

Ten minutes later she dialed an estate attorney recommended by her lawyer.

“Mister Jennings, you were recommended to me by Taylor Carson. He says that you’re the best in the business when it comes to estate claims.”

“That was kind of him. I’ve known Taylor for over twenty years. We started our careers at the same law firm. What do you need help with?”

Over the next five minutes, Evelyn explained the situation and made an appointment to visit the offices of Lawton, Jennings & Barth. She intended to put all the pieces of her plan together before mentioning anything to Kane. She was risking their relationship, but in the end he would understand why she did what she did.

Chapter 38

Lauren McKnight thought long and hard before she signed the papers. Years earlier she made an verbal agreement with Adam that helped her secure a divorce and generous settlement. The agreement implied, but did not specify that she was to “look the other way” regarding Adam’s theft and sale of her Antique Jewelry collection It was claimed at the time that the jewelry was beyond retrieval. Lauren’s lawyer wanted the loss of the collection to be listed as one of the causes in the divorce decree, but Adam’s lawyer refused to include it because doing so would be tantamount to Adam admitting to the larceny. That left it open to be litigated at a later time.

The “later time” had finally arrived. Together with everything else, Lauren was confident that Adam Hampton III would finally get his comeuppance. It was only a matter of time, now. And it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

Since Adam was playing dirty, she decided it was time to fight back with all the guns in her arsenal She authorized her lawyer to file a complaint for the recovery of the jewelry and to make sure the information was leaked to the media.

Adam may view this as just a shot across the bow, but it will be unpleasant enough to teach him a lesson. Maybe nothing will come of it, but it should act as a warning to him to stop messing with her and Daniel. Why does it always have to end up in a confrontation with him. It makes me furious every time I think about the way he treated me. Whoever said “revenge is sweet” was absolutely right. I feel so elated.

Chapter 39

Daniel smiled as he read the report from Palentine Investigations. He asked Walter Madding to investigate a possible link between Adam Hampton, Gil Parsons at Local 33 and SEWU.

Walter left a message on his phone. He had traced several large payments from Adam’s personal accounts to Local 33. That was just the thing Daniel had hoped for. He dialed Walt. “Good morning Walt. Good job on that investigation. That was the link I was looking for. It explains why Gil Parsons went south on me.”

“Thanks, Daniel. We’re talking about some serious charges here.”

“I know. Adam won’t be able to worm his way out of this. We nailed him. How should I proceed with this information?”

“Look Daniel, I’m not an attorney, but there appears to be a clear violation of the National Labor Relations Act. The feds shouldn’t have any problem charging him with bribery and an attempt to use a union as an enterprise. Best case, if he’s convicted he’ll serve some time at a Federal facility and pay some pretty stiff fines. The current administration in Washington takes a dim view of tampering in union affairs.”

“Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Would I have to stick around to testify? I’m trying to close up shop in Old Brooking and move up to Westfield.”

“I really can’t say. Your dealings with Local 33 are a matter of record. The violation comes from Adams trying to influence the union. Talk to an attorney. They can advise you on what to do. They will contact the proper federal authorities to get things moving. You can remain anonymous if you want to. Whatever you decide, good luck. If you need me to check out anything else, give me a call.”

“Thanks, Walt. Give my best to Shirley.”

“You do the same with Lauren.”

Daniel thought about his next step,
I guess it’s “shit or get off the pot” time. I hate doing this. It goes against the grain. But I don’t really have much choice if I want to live with myself.
 

He got out his phone directory and dialed the law offices of Terwilliger & Benson.

Chapter 40

“Adam, I’m glad I caught up with you.” The caller was Matthew Scheiber, senior partner at Scheiber, Scheiber and Cox, the law firm Adam retained for his personal affairs.“I’m sorry to bother you, Adam, but this is important They told me you were here in New Haven visiting one of your plants and I wanted to catch in case you might want to stop by here on your way home to discuss something that happened earlier today
 

“What on earth are you talking about?

“I accepted a subpoena on your behalf. Apparently process servers have been trying to serve you for a week or more. Did you ever have a Marcia Bloom working for you?”

“Why? Is she the litigant?”

“Yes, She is. She claims that you owe her back pay and access to her retirement fund. Her subpoena is for Hampton Industries corporate records. I sent that on over to your legal department. In a separate motion, she accuses you of harassment and seeks punitive damages of five million dollars. You have been ordered to appear three weeks from today at 9 a.m. here in New Haven. I can’t be there on your behalf. You have to appear in person.”

“That’s preposterous! Sure, I held up her money, but that was just to teach her a lesson. She left me high and dry by suddenly resigning right after the merger.”

“That was several months ago Did she perform her duties properly?”

“Yes, but she only gave me two weeks’ notice. I was so pissed I sent her packing. She’s got a hell of a nerve suing me.”

“How long ago was that?”

“About three weeks ago.”

“Adam, you can’t hold her money like that. Were there any questionable business practices that would justify holding her money?”

There was a noticeable delay in Adam’s reply, “Not really, although that bitch was having an affair with someone she was supposed to be riding herd over. I suspect she that she held back important information from me.”

“Suspecting her of wrongdoing and having concrete evidence are two different things. Are you withholding monies due her strictly on your suspicions?

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“You can’t do stuff like that Adam, you must know that. Look, I advise you to contact your accounting department and release those funds immediately. The longer you delay, the worse this situation is going to get. Call me when it’s done and I’ll do what I can to squash this subpoena.”

“What about the punitive damages? Can she still go after that after we’ve squared things with her funds?”

“She can. It’s a separate issue entirely, but this is just an initial hearing for fact-finding. The courts usually don’t like delays at that level. I don’t think you should try to mess around with that hearing.

Matt could hear the frustration in Adam’s voice.

“Look, Adam, why not let me talk to her attorney. Once she has her money, she may not feel it’s necessary to push the envelope any further. Or maybe she’ll settle for a token amount so she feels you’ve been taught a lesson. A suit for punitive damages is usually filed to fuel action on another issue entirely. It usually works, too. Pay her the money you owe her and let’s see what transpires.”

“Well if you think so.”

“I do. You relax and let me handle everything. Release those funds right away, and let me do what you pay me to do.”

“Okay, Matt, I’ll call the office as soon as we hang up. She’ll have her money by noon tomorrow. Personally the sooner I have her out of my hair, the better.”