Vegas Heat (31 page)

It was eleven o’clock when Fanny rang the doorbell of an old, dilapidated, paint-peeling three-story house in Cape May. She was chilled to the bone as she stood on the porch of the old house. She turned the crank on the doorbell and waited, the gusty wind slapping at her back. How barren it looked with the arthritic trees bending and swaying. Fanny shivered inside her warm coat. The door creaked open. “Mr. Scott, I’m Fanny Thornton. I’d like to talk to you if you have the time. May I come in?”

He was old, wizened, the woman behind him just as old and just as wizened. “Do we know you?”

“No. I’m from Nevada. I’m interested in buying some property you own. I believe you spoke to my husband several times.”

“Everybody wants my property. They don’t want to pay for it though,” the old man cackled. “Ain’t that right, Mother?”

“That’s right. We want millions of dollars.”

“Okay,” Fanny said, sitting down on a chair full of cat hairs.

“We have conditions.”

“What are they?” Fanny said as she did her best to breathe through her mouth. Cats, all shapes and sizes, scurried around her feet. There didn’t seem to be a litter box anywhere.

“We want to sell this house, too. It’s a package deal. Mother wants to move to Miami.”

“All right,” Fanny said.

“You’ll buy this house, too!”

“I have a large family, Mr. Scott. These are the two lots I want, they’re marked in red on the map.”

“Got three lots for sale. Want to sell the whole kit and caboodle.”

“All right. I’ll take all three lots and this house. How much?”

“How much, Mother?”

“Ten million dollars,” the old lady said smartly.

“Six,” Fanny said.

“Nine,” the old man countered. “Whatcha goin’ to do with the property?”

“Eight and it’s my last offer. My husband wants the property for our grandchildren’s futures.”

“That sounds all right, doesn’t it, Mother?” The old lady nodded. “We’ll take your offer.” He turned to his wife. “She don’t look like one of them gangsters, does she, Mother?” he asked.

“She sure don’t, Dad.”

The old man held out a gnarled, dry, wrinkled hand. Fanny offered up a gentle handshake. “We had everything sur-veyed, the paperwork is in order. You pay us, file the deed, and the property is yours, Mrs. Thornton. We don’t want no check. We want one of them wire transfers down to our bank. That’s a condition.”

“I’m willing to do that. Would you like me to drive you to the bank? Your bank will have the money in an hour. Do you have a lawyer?” Fanny felt giddy This was the way Sallie had done business during her day. A handshake, money changed hands, and that was the end of the deal. Obviously Ash had watched his mother conduct business over the years. What was good enough for Sallie was good enough for him.

“Don’t need no lawyer. Hate lawyers. All they want is your money. They shuffle papers and charge two hundred dollars an hour. Then when they’re done messing everything up they make you go to court in front of some dumb judge who don’t know as much as I know. It’s sinful.”

Outside in the bleak sunshine, Fanny looked down at her mulberry-colored coat. Clumps of cat hairs were everywhere. She sniffed, knowing the smell of cat urine would stay with her, even in the car. She couldn’t help but marvel at how easy the whole thing was. Evidently Ash was right, doing business in person was the way to go.

Two hours later, Fanny ditched her coat in the nearest trash barrel, copies of the deeds to the properties secure in her purse. Jake, Polly, and Sage and Iris’s unborn child’s futures were secure.

It was two in the morning when Fanny, fresh from her shower, sat down to call Ash. “I did it, Ash. Eight million. I hope you know what you’re doing. Eight million dollars is a lot of money. It’s so stupid, neither one of us had a lawyer.”

“Fanny, I talked to the guy a dozen times. He hates lawyers. I told him what to do, and he did it. Everything is legal. You filed the deeds, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did.”

“Then stop worrying. Did the guy really have twenty-seven cats?”

“More like 107. I smelled, Ash. I had to throw away my coat. I stood under the shower for an hour, and I can still smell cat. I’m tired and I’m going to bed.”

“You did good, Fanny. I thank you. One day your grandchildren will thank you when they realize what we did for them. Sleep tight, Fanny.”

“You too, Ash.”

The date on the calendar said it was April 1. April Fool’s Day Fanny looked around at her family. Even Ash had come down off the mountain for the special event.

“Everything’s ready, Mom,” Sage said quietly. “The line to Japan is open, Aunt Billie is standing by. We’re hooked up to the satellite. We’ll be seeing Moss Coleman’s plane take off at the same time they do. Dawn’s just beginning to break over there. Aw, Mom, don’t cry.”

Ash reached for Fanny’s hand. “I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time about that plane, Fanny. I want it to fly as much as you do. Honest to God I do.”

“I know you do, Ash. I don’t know what Billie will do if things go awry. It’s been a battle every step of the way Her children are estranged from her over this plane. It isn’t right and it isn’t fair.”

“The test pilot is on his way,” Sage whispered. “There he goes into the cockpit.”

“He’s Amelia’s stepson, Lord Rand Nelson. His father was an RAF pilot during the war. Billie says he can fly the wings off a bird.”

“God, this takes me back,” Ash said. “There she goes! She’s up. C’mon, baby, get that nose up. There you go! Jesus, I feel like I’m seeing history in the making.”

“You are, Ash. It’s so beautiful. Billie’s saying something. No, no, she’s just mouthing words, ‘Rest easy, Moss. In a few minutes it will be history.’
Fanny, Fanny, we did it! Thank you, thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank your whole family. We did it, Fanny!”

Tears rolled down Fanny’s cheeks. “Now Billie’s son’s death is not in vain. She did what she set out to do, and if she faltered, she picked herself up and continued. I don’t know if I would have had the guts to do what she did.”

Ash’s voice was a mere whisper when he said, “You would have persevered, too, Fanny. And, you would have prevailed.”

“Ash, that’s one of the nicest things you’ve ever said to me. This calls for champagne!”

“I hear you, Mom!” Sage bellowed. “We should sing. Shouldn’t we?”

“Whatever feels right, Sage,” his father said.

“Off we go into the wild blue yonder... ”
The family joined in.

Everyone was off key, but no one cared.

1984-1985

“A penny for your thoughts, Fanny.”

“Right now, Bess, they aren’t worth that much. Simon’s lawyer served me divorce papers early this morning. It’s been ten months since that night when he came here and punched out Ash. Ten months, Bess!”

“Time has been going by so fast of late. My mother said that happens when you get older. She said she woke up one day and she was in her eighties.” Bess laughed ruefully.

“I didn’t think it would bother me, but it does. As the months went by I more or less assumed that ... well, I don’t know what I assumed. He’s not simply filing for divorce; he’s charging me with adultery and he wants a percentage share of Babylon. I own fifty-one percent and he’s going to go after it.”

“You’re going to fight it, aren’t you? I’m having such a hard time believing all this. Simon was ... such a wonderful guy.”

“Not according to Ash. To answer your question, yes, I’m going to fight him. I have to find a top-notch divorce lawyer. I have twenty days to answer these papers.”

“Get a woman lawyer. They understand better than men. I’ve heard horror stories about women getting screwed in court. Some of them don’t even get child support. You need a shark. Or a barracuda. Is there anything you want me to do?”

Fanny shrugged. “Is everything on target for Halloween?”

“Everything’s been taken care of. Is Mr. Reed going to attend?”

“Don’t look at me like that, Bess. I haven’t seen or heard from him in months. He’s a friend, nothing more.”

“That’s because you’re still married. Things will change. I think the man really likes you. I think you like him, too. You had stars in your eyes last Christmas.”

“It was the holidays. I always get stars in my eyes at Christmas.”

“Listen, Fanny, why don’t you and Billie want any fanfare when the rehab center opens next week? You know, the mayor, the ribbon cutting, all that stuff?”

“Just family. The center is a serious thing. The medical field has been alerted, Su Li, Sallie’s young protégée, is in charge of all the medical stuff. She’s got a terrific staff lined up, top-notch therapists, great nurses. We just want to ease into it without any fanfare. We thought it best for the patients. Patients with debilitating diseases don’t want people gawking and staring at them and asking for interviews. It’s important for the patients that things remain calm and serene. The first patients arrive the day after our dedication. We can accommodate a hundred. Keep your fingers crossed that we don’t run out of money and that we can meet our payroll.”

“They’ve been crossed since the day construction started. I drove by yesterday and it’s beautiful. You and Billie did a wonderful job. Phone’s ringing.”

“I’ll get it. Fanny Thornton, how can I help you this morning?”

“Mrs. Thornton, do you know who this is?”

Fanny immediately recognized the gruff, deep voice on the other end of the line. “Yes.”

“Can you meet me at Sophie’s Cafe in thirty minutes?”

“Why ... yes, of course. I’ll leave now.”

“Who was that? You look like someone just stepped on your big toe.”

“It’s not important. I have to go out for a little while. Take over, okay?”

“Sure.”

Fanny walked to the café, her thoughts in a turmoil. Her heart was beating too fast. It was broad daylight, what could possibly happen?

The moment Fanny closed the door behind her, the Open sign was switched to Closed and the green shades pulled down. A bowl of chicken noodle soup and a cup of coffee were placed in front of her.

Even sitting, the man dwarfed the room. “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Thornton.”

Fanny nodded. She tasted the soup. It was good. She waited.

“My ... colleagues and I would like to help you. What you’re doing out in the desert is a good thing. My side of the street would like to help. Anonymously of course.”

“I don’t understand.” Fanny placed her soup spoon at the side of the bowl.

The man slid an envelope across the table. Fanny reached for it and opened it. Her gasp could be heard across the room. “This is ... I don’t know what to say”

“Thank you is good enough. If you are amenable, we’ve decided that we will donate one day’s proceeds once a year. Look at it this way, Mrs. Thornton. My side of the street is giving to your side. How and what you do with the money is entirely up to you. We will never interfere. We did our own analysis of the situation and there is no way your center can stay in the black with just you and Mrs. Kingsley funding it. It’s a worthwhile endeavor, and we’d like to be part of it. There are no strings of any kind.”

“Then I accept. I just don’t know how to handle this.”

“Let your bankers take care of the details. They can talk to our bankers. We wish you every success.”

“We aren’t having a grand opening or anything like that,” Fanny said, grappling for words. “You wouldn’t happen to know a good divorce lawyer who’s a woman would you?” God in heaven, did she just say that? Evidently she did because the man seemed to be having difficulty switching his mental gears. He shrugged.

“We understand the reasoning behind your decision. Enjoy your lunch, Mrs. Thornton.”

“It’s very good soup.”

“Take some home.”

“I might do that.”

Fanny stared at the envelope in front of her. Five million dollars. Five million dollars. From the other side of the street. Suddenly she felt giddy, light-headed. She was about to leave when a paper bag was placed on the table. Chicken soup to go. She smiled all the way to the bank. She was still smiling when she returned to Babylon. She immediately placed a call to Billie Kingsley.

“You kept it, didn’t you?”

“Billie, I did not walk, I
ran
to the bank. It was a cashier’s check so the money is already in the rehab account. They’re going to donate every year. Ash is never going to believe this.”

“Is he coming for the dedication?”

“Yes, and I believe Sunny is coming, too. The sign is going up today. Chue’s standing at the ready with his flowers and shrubbery. As soon as they walk away, he’ll be planting and laying sod. When he’s done, it will look like it’s been there for years. I’m glad we decided on calling the center, The Sunrise Rehabilitation Center for your home in Texas and my mountain. It’s like it was meant to be. Gotta go, see you on Sunday.”

Fanny felt so good she danced a little jig. Her mood darkened immediately when her gaze dropped to the legal papers on the corner of her desk. “Guess what, Simon Thornton. I’ll fight you for Babylon until hell freezes over, and then I’ll fight you on the ice!”

Fanny tied the belt of the terry cloth robe. Her wet head swathed in a thick towel, she padded to the kitchen to make coffee and to feed Daisy The doorbell rang at ten minutes past nine just as she was sitting down with her coffee and the morning paper. Daisy ran to the door, barking.

There was only one word to describe the woman standing in the doorway; spectacular.

“Mrs. Thornton?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Clementine Fox. A mutual friend of ours said you were in need of an attorney and suggested I stop by.”

Fanny wasn’t about to ask which mutual friend. “Are you the Clementine Fox, better known as the Silver Fox?”

The woman smiled, each tooth a matched pearl. “That’s one of my more flattering names. Everyone thinks my hair is dyed. It isn’t. I was born with silver hair.”

“Would you like some coffee?”

“I’d love some.”

“Is the kitchen okay?”

“I love kitchens. As a child we lived in ours. My mother made the sweetest-smelling bread. I lived for the days she made bread and strawberry jam. You look puzzled. Did I come at a bad time?”

“No, not at all. I guess I’m just marveling at how fast people on the other side of the street do things.”

The golden eyes beneath heavy lashes looked amused. “The telephone is a marvelous invention.”

She wasn’t just spectacular. She was exquisitely spectacular. She was lean and trim; obviously, she worked out. Fanny just knew there wasn’t one extra ounce of body fat on this woman. She probably spoke seven foreign languages, too. She absolutely reeked of capability. The Chanel suit and purse said her bank account wasn’t just healthy, it was robust.

“I have a problem,” Fanny said.

Clementine crossed her legs, legs with no end. Fanny felt smug when she recognized the shoes on the attorney’s feet. “I have all day Talk to me.”

Fanny talked.

Clementine listened, her pen flying over the yellow legal pad.

The moment Clementine capped her pen, Fanny said, “So, what do you think?”

“I think you married yourself one sorry son of a bitch. There’s no way to know that going in, so you’re excused. I know how to play the game, and I know the
name
of the game. Let me give it to you in clear, concise terms. The first rule in a divorce: if it looks like it’s going to be the knock-down-drag-out kind, you fuck them before they fuck you. I know your husband’s lawyer. Jason St. Clare studied law under the Devil.”

Fanny winced. “Where did you study, Miss Fox?”

“Call me Clementine. From here on in I’m going to be your best friend. I was St. Clare’s protégé.”

Fanny smiled. “Not one cent from this casino. I mean that.”

“I hear you.” The long legs straightened themselves out. “I like what you did with this place. It looks like someone really lives here now.”

She didn’t mean to ask the question. It just rolled out of her mouth. “You’ve been here before?”

“Uh-huh. I think I was 960 on Ash’s conquest list. That was okay,” she trilled, “because he was 961 on my conquest list.” Fanny burst into laughter. “You were already separated.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“You then married the brother! I would have thought you would have learned your lesson the first time around.”

“Stupid is as stupid does.”

Clementine held out her hand. Fanny shook it vigorously She was in good hands, and she knew it.

“You won’t hear from me until I have something concrete to tell you. It takes a while to wade through the bullshit. I don’t expect Jason to dick around too much. He’ll make a lot of noise for his client’s benefit, then he’ll lose his voice at just the right moment.”

“Don’t underestimate Simon the way I did.”

“I’m duly warned. I want to be clear on something. Are we talking big bucks, whatever it takes, representation?”

“And more if necessary. Thanks for coming by, Clementine.”

Clementine nodded. “Don’t worry. You’re paying me to do that. I can see myself out.”

The moment the door closed behind her guest, Fanny dialed Ash at Sunrise. “Ash, it’s Fanny.”

“How’s it going, Fanny?”

“Simon served divorce papers on me. He’s charging me with adultery.” Ash’s hoot of laughter tickled Fanny. “He also wants a percentage share of Babylon.”

“Not in this lifetime, baby”

“You wouldn’t happen to know a good lawyer, would you?”

“Hell, I know hundreds of lawyers. All shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are good. Some are lousy.”

“Anyone stand out in particular?”

“Can’t think of anyone. If I do, I’ll call you.”

“How about old 960?”

Ash hooted again. “I could call her for you. Guess you already talked to her, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. She said you were 961 on her list.”

“That’s what she said all right. Listen, Fanny, she was good, but that thing you did last Christmas, that was the best.”

“Thanks, Ash. That just makes my day Back to business, Simon engaged an attorney here in Las Vegas, so that must mean he’s somewhere close by.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me. Fanny, don’t you let him get his stinking paws on my casino. You watch your back, too.”

“Ash, you won’t believe what happened yesterday. I feel like those people across the street are watching out for me. I can’t shake the feeling.”

“What happened? Don’t tell me they’re coming to your Halloween do?”

“How would I know? It’s costume only. Listen to this—”

Ash whistled when Fanny finished her story. “That’s great, Fanny.”

“Did you convince Sunny to attend the dedication?”

“Yesterday she was planning on going. This morning she isn’t. I still have time to work on her. The doctor was here yesterday. He is not pleased with her progress because there is no progress. He suggested she go into your center for two weeks. She said she’d think about it.”

“At least she’s thinking. How’s Jake and Polly?”

“He’s ready for preschool. Sunny doesn’t want to hear about that. Polly is a treasure. She’s starting to talk pretty good. When she doesn’t have her thumb in her mouth. This whole situation is not good, Fanny I think it’s time for them to go down off this mountain.”

“What about you, Ash?”

“Good days and bad days. There seems to be more bad of late.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“If there was, you know I’d ask. I don’t want to leave the mountain, Fanny.”

“I know. If you need me, call.”

“Okay, Fanny. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

“Are you bringing the kids?”

“Yeah. Tyler’s in town, did you know that?”

“No, I didn’t. Where is he staying, do you know?”

“He didn’t say. He’s getting married over Christmas and he wants to take the kids. Sunny is throwing a fit. I think he plans to attend the dedication. Go easy on him, Fanny”

“Why should I do that, Ash?”

“Because I asked you to.”

“Oh. All right.”

“What are you dressing up as?”

“The wicked witch of something or other.
Nine hundred and sixty!”

“It’s a hell of a memory,” Ash laughed as he hung up the phone.

Nine hundred and sixty
. I don’t think I had sex nine hundred and sixty times in my
whole
life. “I guess I’m a dud, Daisy”

“Blue skies, cotton-candy clouds, the sweet scent of sagebrush, what more could we want, Billie?”

“Fanny, it looks just like the architect’s rendering. It really does look like a large Hansel and Gretel building nestled in the cottonwoods. It was a stroke of genius to use the same prairie pink brick we used to rebuild Sunbridge. It will weather beautifully. It looks so homey, so welcoming. God, Fanny, I hope Sunny feels the same way when she sees it.”