Conspiracy
Part 2
Tuesday, June 10, 1986
12:58 p.m.
He was nervous. Ridiculously nervous. Pacing back and forth on the sidewalk nervous. He took a deep breath. He knew what he wanted. Everything was in place, and even if he failed in the short run, he knew he’d ultimately prevail. He was playing the long game, and victory would be his. He checked his watch. It was game time. Taking a long, deep breath, he started walking.
Chateaux Geronne
Tuesday, June 10, 1986
1:00 p.m.
Henri showed him to his favorite table for more intimate encounters, a small round one tucked between two windows in a private area near the back of the restaurant. Matthew slid into the chair as Henri held it for him. “Thank you, Henri,” he told the maître d'. “I believe I’m expecting my associates shortly.”
“Oui, Monsieur Wheeler. Ms. Wheeler arranged everything, including the menu. May I get you a drink?”
“Scotch neat, please,” he replied.
“Make mine on the rocks,” a familiar voice said. Matthew smiled at his brother-in-law as Wesley took the second of the five chairs.
“I’ll never understand watering down good scotch,” Matthew told him, shaking his head at their long-standing argument. “It’s good to see you, Wes. Are you looking forward to this weekend?”
“After the tedious graduation ceremony and the following celebration?” he quipped, “Yes. It will be nice to do a little grouse hunting. Thank you for inviting me. It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to get out in the woods.”
“Well, I have the class B license for a reason. It’ll be nice to go stalk some birds.” He grinned. “Even if we don’t find any.”
Claude arrived with their drinks, followed close behind with Henri, escorting Andrew and Peter Belden.
Matthew stood, a little perplexed, but trying to hide it. “Well, if it isn’t the fabulous Belden brothers,” he said, gesturing them to the chairs. “Have a seat, gentlemen.”
“You seem surprised, Matt,” Andrew said.
“I apologize,” Matthew said. “This lunch was scheduled by my wife. When Wes showed up, I figured it was Hart/Wheeler business. But you’re both welcome. I don’t know what we’re eating, as Madeleine arranged that, as well, but everything Madame makes is delicious. What are you drinking?”
As Andrew and Peter gave their orders to Claude, Henri corrected, “It was not Madame Wheeler who made the reservation, Monsieur. It was Mademoiselle Honey.”
“Honey?” Matthew let his confusion out full force. “Why on earth…?”
“Because I asked her to, sir. Sirs.” Dan stepped up to the table. “I need to speak with you. With all of you, actually, and frankly, gentlemen, the four of you have been giving me the runaround for months.”
Matthew bit his lip to stop from looking chagrined. The young man was right, of course. He, Wes, Andrew and Peter had been avoiding and misdirecting Dan ever since the New Year. He knew that he had believed Dan unaware of the concerted effort, and, judging by the similar expressions on the other three men, they had also been operating under that same incorrect assumption. He shrugged and waved Dan to a seat.
Dan took his chair, folding his hands on the table. “Gentlemen,” he said, his voice polite. “I’m sure you know why I arranged this lunch.” Matthew shared a glance with his co-conspirators, but none of them spoke. Dan continued. “It was well played, gentlemen,” he acknowledged. “I ask to speak to Mr. Wheeler, and he sends me off to Mr. Belden, who passes me off to Mr. Hart, who then sends me to the other Mr. Belden.” He smiled at them. “But now that I have you all in one place, I want to discuss something important with you.”
He paused, and Matthew felt his stomach clench as he listened to Dan say the words, “I want to marry Tessa.”
Dan’s dark eyes swept the table, making contact with each man. “I love her. She loves me, and the one thing my life has taught me is that both love and time are precious. Neither of them should ever be wasted.” He took a deep breath, and continued, “I’ve already spoken to Kalihiki. He gave me his blessing. I would love to have yours—all of you. It means a lot to me, and I know it would mean the world to Tessa, but…” He paused again, looking directly at Andrew. “…as much as I want your blessing, I’m not asking your permission. I will ask her to marry me. The only one whose approval really matters is Tessa’s.”
The boy had courage. Matthew had to give him that. Courage, cleverness and connections. He’d worked with Honey to arrange this little gathering knowing that having them all together would allow him to state his case. Well done, he had to admit. Very well done, indeed.
“I’m not going to ask you how you plan to support yourselves,” Wes said. “I’m well aware of my niece’s holdings, and I understand from both Matthew and Peter that you are fairly well situated yourself. I will tell you, however, that I will expect a prenuptial agreement before any wedding occurs.”
“Of course,” Dan replied with a nod. “I don’t care a wit about Tessa’s money. I never have.” He smiled. “I have no issue signing a prenup, sir, because it will never be needed. I believe in until death we do part.”
It was Andrew’s turn. “Daniel,” he said, “This reminds me of a conversation the two of us had a few years ago.” Dan bit his lip a little sheepishly. “You told me then that you were going to date Tessa, if she would have you. You told me you weren’t asking permission because you didn’t want to give me the opportunity to say no. Do you remember?”
“Yes, sir. I do.”
“She’s seventeen, son.” Andrew rubbed his hand across his face. “You’re barely eighteen. I know all too well that I can’t stop you when you have your mind set on something. I can’t stop her, either, and I know she’s set on you. But, if you want my blessing, you won’t ask until she’s legally of age.”
“That’s acceptable,” Dan conceded. “Thank you, sir.” He sat up straight, waiting for the next round.
Matthew shared a look with Peter, who nodded his head. Matthew cleared his throat. “Peter and I have spoken about this,” he admitted, “and I have to commend you on arranging this ambush.” Dan bit back a laugh, his eyes gleaming just a bit as he focused his attention on Matthew. “Both of you are headed off to college in the fall,” he said, “Peter and I have discussed how difficult being newly married can be, and adding the stress of the first few years of college, well, we’d like you to wait until you get your degrees.”
Dan’s jaw twitched, and he dropped his eyes to the table.
Peter interjected. “Yes. You may ask her to marry you once she’s eighteen, but no wedding until you each have your degree in hand.”
Slowly, Dan raised his head. His lips were pressed tightly together, his jaw clenched. He rolled his shoulders, and his posture relaxed slightly. “So,” he said, his voice strained, “If I wait to ask Tessa until she turns eighteen, I sign Mr. Hart’s prenuptial agreement, and we don’t get married until we each have a college degree, then you four will join Kalihiki in giving us your blessing?”
“Yes,” said Wes.
“Agreed,” Peter and Andrew echoed.
Matthew nodded. Something wasn’t right, but he didn’t know what it was. He fingered his scotch, rerunning the conversation through his brain.
“Okay,” Dan acquiesced, his expression tightly controlled. You gentlemen drive a hard bargain, but I agree.” He pushed back his chair and extended his hand. As they sealed the agreement, Dan said, “Since I brought you here, I’ve already paid for your lunches. Enjoy them.” He gave a wave and walked away.
As the four uncles seated themselves, the waiter brought in the salads. “That went surprisingly well,” Peter said, sounding a bit dubious. “I wasn’t expecting him to give in so quickly.”
“He’s a smart young man,” Andrew said. “Besides, if I know those two, they’ll have their degrees in two to three years. They’ve been taking transferable credits, and they’re both very determined students.”
“True,” Wes agreed, “But since Tessa turns eighteen in August, we’ve at least gained a few years. Anything can happen in a few years.”
Matthew took a bite of his Caesar salad. They’d just gotten what they wanted. Why did he still feel as if he’d missed an important detail? He pushed the nagging thought aside, and the conversation turned to lighter subjects.
NYC
Tuesday, June 10, 1986
1:27 p.m.
Dan stepped out of the air-conditioned restaurant and into the heat of the early June day. Elation vied with the tiniest bit of guilt as he strode down the block toward the subway. He couldn’t wait to tell Honey how well their plan had gone. It was well worth the eighty bucks lunch was costing him. That covered the elation. He’d been hard pressed to keep from breaking into an ear to ear grin when the uncles had laid their demands on the table. The guilt was because he had deceived four men that he actually genuinely liked and respected. Still, he hadn’t lied to them, just omitted an important detail—which he would be providing to them in three days.
He pushed aside his guilt, purchased his fare and climbed aboard, beginning the trip home to Sleepyside. If things went well, he’d make the next train and be home in time to see Noa and Tessa before heading out on patrol. Life was looking pretty good.