Read Online The Principle Of Chance by M Howson - Free Book Online Page B

my
detective found him, he was married to an American woman, settled in New York.
Amy was already a few years old.
    Before you ask Jack, yes, of course,
I helped them financially but it wasn’t easy. I didn’t want to reveal who I
was.’
    ‘Why not?’ Jack asked, wrapped up in
the story.
    ‘I don’t know why? I ask myself the
same question every day.’ Frank mused.
    ‘How
did you help?’
‘I helped Louie get the job he wanted. He was an architect, a very good
one in fact. He worked for J. Bloomer’s for some years and then he set up his
own company.’
    ‘Bloomer’s, wow!’ A well-known and
expensive firm; Jack was impressed.
    ‘He and his wife died suddenly in a
car crash when Amy was at university. A great loss Jack, it broke my heart!’
    ‘Amy was provided for, a small
inheritance, and there is also a trust set up for her, money she can get
whenever she likes.’ Frank continued.
    ‘Set up by you.’ Jack stated, - this
was a story! He thought he knew his best friend and now it turned out, he
didn’t know him at all.
    ‘Yes, by me.’ Frank was overcome by
a great sadness. He wished he had handled things differently. He was concerned
about how best to tell Amy, he couldn’t just say – I’m your Great Uncle. ‘I
wanted her to be close to me Jack. She’s done so well. I am very proud of her.’
    ‘What are your plans Frank?’
    ‘I don’t have any. I am an old man,
I simply want to get to know her, I suppose.’ Frank said thoughtfully.
    ‘I know what you want! Keep her
close and see how things work out between you two.’ Jack had no idea why Frank
had handled the situation in this way but it must’ve been difficult for him and
he felt very privileged that Frank had decided to take him into his trust.
    ‘I do want to see her but, wouldn’t
want her to get involved in the family thing, unless she wanted to be.’ Frank
suddenly felt better, talking it over with Jack had its benefits and he trusted
Jack with his life.
    ‘What happened to Eva’s husband?’
    ‘I don’t know. I tried to contact
Jani but I failed.’ Frank was walking up and down in the library trying to ease
his nerves. He’d failed his sister and her husband – guilt was a powerful
thing!
    ‘You did what you could Frank, maybe
you could’ve handled it in another way but it’s too late to think about that.’
Jack knew what Frank was feeling. The guilt was written all over him. ‘Look,
she’s here with us now; see if she wants to be a part of your life. Get to know
each other – you will find out eventually where you stand. If she wants the
truth, you tell her; if she doesn’t, there’s no need to upset her.’
    ‘You’re right.’ Frank said relieved
that his friend thought the same way he did.
    ‘Let me point out one thing Frank,
you might have to watch Justin. The guy seems to be interested in Amy too!’
Jack said chuckling.
    ’Now, now, what you’re saying is…..’
    ‘Justin is all right, old man, and
you know it!’
    ‘I suppose I do.’ Frank admitted
with a smile.
     
     
    ****
     
     
    The drive through Mullberry Drive
was breath-taking. It was a windy night, which resulted in a clear view of the
city as the smog cleared. Amy found it hard to concentrate on the winding road.
She wanted to stop and admire the view. She’d been on this road before but never
at night.
    After driving for what seemed like
ages, Justin finally stopped in front of an open gate leading onto a long
drive; he wanted to let Amy drive up to the house. She didn’t. Justin opened
her car door.
    ‘Don’t you want to take the car to
the garage?’
    ‘You kidding?’
    Okay, she didn’t want that. ‘You
want me to drop off the keys?’ He assumed she wasn’t staying.
    ‘Yeah, would you? - but I’ll come
with you.’ She said. ‘Curiosity only.’
    They left the cars by the gate and
walked up to the house. Amy thought she heard music. As they got closer, they
saw the downstairs French windows blazing with light.
    ‘Ed is