Granger's Threat. Teresa Pijoan

in his will for the family to convene in my office for the reading of his will.

      “Now this will is almost one hundred pages in length and it is not necessary for all of it be read to you today. Rather than read each request of the deceased, it may perhaps be more expedient if I outline the contents that are related directly to those of you present in the room?”

      Everyone in the room made an expression of agreement and Mr. Goldfarb continued. “Dr. Walter Pino gave instructions that his estate was to be assessed, liquidated and proceeds divided after these bills had been paid. If anyone of you would like a copy of this will I have copies available to you.”

      Margaret put up her white gloved hand to stop Mr. Goldfarb, “Excuse me, but didn’t my husband have several charities that he wished to give monetary aid?”

      Papers were shuffled in Mr. Goldfarb’s hand, “Yes, but before any funds can be moved or relocated I have to research for assets and liabilities. These may have occurred prior to your husband’s demise and would reflect on the final sum to be distributed. These will have an affect on the bearing of funds and limitations of assets.”

      Mr. Goldfarb moved ahead to the decided development of property and monetary inheritance. “Starting with the youngest of Dr. Walter Pino’s children is his daughter and her husband Geoffrey. The deceased states and I quote, ‘the mutual property which we own together in Rocoso shall be remanded completely to Geoffrey and Sophia with no further debt being due to either my wife or my sons. The property at Rocoso Mesa shall be now placed free and clear into the name of Geoffrey George Vinder and his wife Sophia Lucia Pino Vinder. This property is the home of my daughter, her husband and my two granddaughters and the title and deed shall upon my demise be given to Geoffrey and Sophia with no further financial responsibility.’“

      Granger burst out laughing, “That ain’t gonna happen. We already have put the deed and the title in my name thanks to Mom. Geoffrey, there is no way in hell that you’re going to get my property as long as you are married to my sister!”

      Sophia felt Geoffrey’s body jerk and then freeze. His jaw was set, his fingers began to jingle his change in his pocket, and his left foot started to shake. Sophia whispered, “Geoffrey, are you all right?” Geoffrey turned to give her a steely cold stare, “No,” was all he said. Sophia returned her focus on Mr. Goldfarb..

      Mr. Goldfarb stopped speaking to remove his reading glasses, he stared at Granger. “Sir, you are to refrain from speaking until the completion of the will has been read, do you understand?”

      “Yes, but what you are reading is fiction! Mom and I have already moved properties and stocks into my name and I am her legal executor. What is the purpose of reading this piece of crap if none of it is true, Sir?” Granger left the door frame to saunter into the room with arrogance as he put his hand on Margaret’s shoulder. Everyone waited for her to confirm his remark.

      Geoffrey gulped air as if he was trying to swallow. He stared at Sophia. Sophia’s face was beet red and her hands began to shake. Not being able to contain herself, Sophia stood, “Granger, either sit down and shut up or leave! You really enjoy being a horse’s ass, don’t you? If you can’t respect the dead then just get the hell out of here!” Sophia started to lunge toward Granger, but Geoffrey jerked her back into her chair. He whispered under his breath, “It isn’t worth it, Sophia, just let him be.”

      Granger had whirled around to face Sophia. His face was frozen in a smirk, “Sophia, you don’t know anything. How dare you refer to your father as ‘the dead?’ What kind of cretin are you?”

      Narrowing his eyes in anger, he gloated, “Mom and I have been busy all these months while you have been taking care of Papa. We’ve been busy moving, shoving, and taking control and you...you...you, Miss Pollyanna, looking after poor Papa the Helpless. Well, you chose the wrong side to hang with, Missy Prissy.”

      Geoffrey shook his head at him, “Granger, please just be quiet and let’s get this over with for once and for all.”

      Margaret took her son’s hand, holding it gently at her side. “Granger, please be polite. I need everyone to get along. You’re the one I depend on now in my time of need. Please, try to get along.”

      The two men on the far side of the room watched with indifference as Mr. Goldfarb’s glasses were returned to his pointed nose and the reading continued. Sophia stared down at Geoffrey’s polished cowboy boots. She wasn’t going to take Granger’s bait again.

      Mr. Goldfarb’s voice rolled on and on. It appeared to never end, until he came to the part regarding extended family. “To my two older sons, I do hereby leave the sum of ten thousand dollars each. This is done out of love for them and pride in their abilities to become fine young men in a solid profession with fine families. This sum cannot be redirected nor shall it be, for the monies they inherit are in a separate account, which only Mr. Goldfarb has access to at this time.”

      Granger flinched, Margaret gasped and Geoffrey smiled. The two men shook hands. Mr. Goldfarb continued, “My daughter Cynthia shall receive ten thousand dollars in investments. This money has been invested for her by Thornton and Thornton and can only be removed by her and/or her family only with confirmation of identification and her birth certificate. She is to receive also five thousand dollars kept for her under Samuel Goldfarb’s care for her family.”

      The young man with the ascot stood and nodded to Mr. Goldfarb, “Thank you for taking care of Cynthia.” The man quickly sat back down. Granger glared at him, “Who the hell are you and what right do you have to be here? Obviously you are not Cynthia!”

      “Oh, dear, Granger, shut up!” Mr. Goldfarb slammed the flat of his hand on the desk. “Granger, sit down. Your sister Sophia is correct. If you will not be respectful get out or be quiet. Choose one or the other, but I will not tolerate your rude abuse.”

      Granger smirked, “What’re you going to do if I don’t?”

      Mr. Goldfarb’s face turned bright red, “I shall call the guard and have you physically removed.”

      Margaret patted Granger’s hand on her shoulder, “Please, son, let’s be civil and continue with these proceedings. We have what we want. Just be still.” Margaret whispered, “I am proud of you. Granger, you are my own personal Dr. Pino. We’ll have it all taken care of, right?”

      Granger walked to the back of the room, leaning on the door jam, he fidgeted with his car keys. Mr. Goldfarb’s voice now rang with deep intolerance, “My son Granger shall receive the total sum of five thousand dollars for he has not decided on a true profession. He has weaseled his way out of most institutions of higher learning and if he does decide on a profession I am of full confidence that he will be able to provide for himself and his family with his own personal income.”

      Mr. Goldfarb concluded with the location of the cemetery to hold the funeral and the location of the memorial service. “This concludes the reading of the will. Now do we have any questions or information to add?”

      Granger sneered, “Aside from the fact that my father no longer owns the property given to Geoffrey and Sophia for it is now in my name. Aside from the fact the monies given to my evidently two half brothers is now in my possession. Yes, and all the stocks and mutual funds bequeathed to anyone else are now in my control. Do you mean relevant information such as that?”

      Slowly, directly and with full intent Mr. Goldfarb removed his glasses. He put them in his upper suit pocket. “Granger, you and your mother’s actions have yet to be proven as legal within the state of New Mexico. What you have done is underhanded to your departed father’s wishes and your actions are totally unethical. Yet, when your father was alive there was nothing we could do about what you both did.” Mr. Goldfarb pushed his chair back, stood, and walked to the corner of his room where he removed a legal folder. He took it to his desk.

      “As for your two half-brothers, their money is here in this envelope and shall at this moment be given to them by me. Neither you nor your mother had any knowledge of it, nor do you have the ability to touch this money for it been in my possession for the last fifteen years.”