Wicked Forest by V.C. Andrews Read Free Book Online

but we've never discussed it."
    "Can I afford to pay it off and still generate enough income to take care of our needs?"
    He smiled. I guessed I was asking the right question.
    "Well, not with the full army of servants now employed. You can hold on to the landscaper, but I'm afraid not all of the household servants, the chef. the chauffeur."
    "I understand," I said.
    "When the rental income stops, you will have to create a sensible budget, until Grace sells the property, that is. In the meantime. I have all your accounts arranged. generating as much interest income as we can without experiencing too much risk.
    I understand you're going to attend college soon."
    "Yes."
    He sat back, looking- like a disapproving uncle now.
    It wouldn't have been a bad idea to hold on to the Eatons," he said after a moment. "I still might be able to negotiate something with them."
    "No," I said firmly.
    "It's a big property for just you. Grace. and Linden," he insisted. "I would not be fulfilling my obligation to you, as well as to Mr. Bassinger. if I did not point all this out to you as clearly as I can."
    "It's just as big for the .Eatons."
    "Yes, but the rent is no burden for them, nor are the servants and the maintenance. We might be able to get them to come up on a purchase price offer."
    "I'd rather the bank took it over." I said dryly.
    He shrugged.
    "If it went into foreclosure. the Eatons, or any of a few dozen other families, could pounce on it and get it for even less, especially if you are unable to keep it up and it degenerates in any way."
    "Buzzards with gold beaks," I muttered, and his eyes widened, his lips stretching into an amused smile,
    "Well, I've never heard them referred to in quite that manner. but..." He left the rest of his words hanging. Nothing was as well hidden as a thought unspoken.
    I sat back on the settee and thought about all he had told me.
    "You've been the accountant for the
    Montgomery family for some time now, haven't your
    "Oh. yes. I was Winston Montgomery's accountant for years and years before he died. I attended his wedding to Jackie Lee Houston, One of the few business associates he invited," he added proudly.
    "You must have known Kirby Scott personally, then." He nodded.
    It isn't something I admit with any pride, however. I had to sit behind this desk and watch him chop— not chip— chop away Winston Montgomery's fortune. I tried warning Jackie Lee. but Kirby Scott had her hypnotized and she seemed incapable of taking the actions that would help her, protect her and her daughter, at least until Linden was born. By then it was too late. I'm afraid. There were a number of liens against Jaya del Mar back then, and not just the bank's, Kirby Scott was a piece of work, a true old-fashioned scoundrel,"
    "How do you mean. old-fashioned?"
    "Well, he was as handsome and debonair as any man I've known here in Palm Beach, a cultured con man, if you will. A snake charmer in a tuxedo, Jackie Lee Houston Montgomery was not the first woman to fall for his winning smile and his promises. and I'm sure not the last."
    "I suppose that sort of gossip makes its way into these fine offices as well as the rest of Palm Beach," I said, fishing for more information.
    "Well, maybe not into the offices as much as the local watering holes, which we all frequent from time to time. Have to keep up appearances you know," he quickly added. Gossip and innuendo were just as nasty in the world of the wealthy as anywhere else in America, or anyplace, for that matter, even if they were planted in a bed of diamonds and watered with champagne.
    "Was there any other Palm Beach family Kirby Scott messed up?" I asked.

    He studied me a moment, obviously deciding whether or not to spread a story.
    "I'm sure there are other victims, as I said. but I don't know anything specific. I guess if you like that sort of gossip, you're in the right part of the country."
    "Any part of the country," I countered, and he laughed. 'Do you know where