Kate Educates Jacob #28

Richard's Office - Chapter early release

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The following day incurred a great deal of pain and heartache for Simon, who cleared out his office, delivered the apology letters for Kate and Catherine with his resignation to our housekeeper, then left. A long blast of his car horn shortly before sunrise was a childish swan song from a bitter man, bothering nobody.

Kate was unusually quiet and thoughtful while we dressed for our daily run. Simon had messaged her late in the night complaining about me and the manner in which his resignation was procured. She messaged back, confirming his departure was accepted, promising me her absolute support, but I could tell my fiancee wasn’t best pleased.

When we set off on our run through the estate forest, Kate stayed a constant half step in front which annoyed me in the same way she hated it when anyone did the same thing to her. I let her have space, gradually dropping back twenty yards until she stopped and waited at a trail junction.

She was miffed, and I knew it was one of those occasions where I couldn’t put a foot right. I eased up on approach and smiled nicely, but she scowled.

“Why are you slowing down?”

“Because you’re pissed with me and I’d rather not make matters worse.”

“I’m not upset.”

“Please don’t deny it, darling. I know when you’re vexed.”

“I’m not angry, Jacob. I’m worried.”

“What about?”

“The way you handled Simon seems unnecessary. Did you really threaten to break his legs?”

“Yes.”

“Jesus Jacob… we aren’t the mafia.”

She was kicking up leaves and pine needles that formed a soft carpet to our running trail. I had to confess, Kate looked cute and a little sexy as I watched her tantrum unfold. She glared at me, demanding an explanation.

“He’s an alcoholic, Kate. Simon is your security chief on a relatively open estate. You’re a billionaire and he’s drunk more often than sober. The man is much more than incompetent. He’s negligent and a risk to himself, never mind you and your family.”

“Okay. Sorry, I didn’t realize he was a drunk, but you still can’t go around beating people.”

“Your mom lives here. Claire and Tiffany too, both of whom have a fragile instability. They all go out walking alone around the estate late at night, thinking they are protected and safe. You go to the stables late at night to visit Beauty alone and Simon is supposed to be watching out for everyone.”

“Okay, I get it. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to be sorry, Kate.”

Her expression softened, but she was still animated. I guessed this incident was a culmination of many others that caused concern. The changes at Granger Hall, GD and my proposal had impacted on my fiancee. I had to make a point that was likely to irk her further.

“Our relationship with you leading us works for me, but don’t expect my compromise regarding your or any other family member’s safety, no matter what.”

“Okay, Jacob, that’s a fair point.”

“Are we good then, Kate?”

She looked like a caged lioness, so I already knew the answer. Kate was being unreasonable and probably knew that, but had to work through it.

“I’m not happy that you threatened Simon with violence. Do you mind if we separate here because I need a longer run?”

She didn’t wait for my response and I wasn’t sure she expected me to comply, but I didn’t. Very few running trails traversed through Granger land and I knew them all, so I gave Kate a hundred metres head start and followed on behind.

While Kate stretched off her strained muscles in the parking lot, I slipped through the kitchens, popped off my running shoes and skipped carefully across the foyer, up the main stairs and quickly stripped off in our apartment. By the time my fiancee reached our bedroom, thankfully of a more pleasant disposition, I was stepping out of the shower wrapped in a towel.

She eyed me suspiciously. Kate was often slow to forgive when a serious matter was at hand, and I knew she hadn’t shaken Simon’s resignation loose. While she undressed and selected clothes for the day, my fiancee kept watching me, calculating.

“Did you see what chef made for breakfast when you dodged through his kitchen?”

“I don’t understand, Kate.”

My innocence was pointless, and Kate advanced on me like a cat on a cornered mouse. She chuckled, gripped my balls in one hand, and stared into my eyes.

“Oh, come on Jacob. Fair enough, I didn’t see you lurking around behind, but I know you trailed me all the way back here.”

“How do you know that?”

“Mr. Royal Marine Commando wouldn’t have let me run away into the woods like that, right?”

“No, Kate and I never will either.”

She released my balls and hugged me close. I was partially forgiven, but there was a vulnerability. I’d won the round, but not the war. Protecting Kate would be problematic.

“I think we had our first fight, Jacob.”

“It wasn’t a fight, Kate. I had to make sure Simon left here on my terms, that’s all. Apparently, it’s my job to deal with these matters.”

“Meaning it’s not my job?”

“I didn’t say that, Kate. You seem off color today. Would you mind explaining why?”

She sat down on our sofa and patted the seat cushion beside her for me to join. I held Kate’s hand, and she leaned over, into me. I waited a few minutes until she was ready to talk.

“Do you mind if we forego your maintenance spanking today, Jacob? I feel I might mess it up and would rather not.”

“It’s always your decision, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”

“I feel we’re undoing all of dad’s work and that he wouldn’t approve.”

“I disagree. You’ve transformed GD and the only thing we’ve done at the estate is sack an incompetent security chief. Your dad would be proud.”

She deliberated over what I’d said, nodded her head a few times and stared at a wall wistfully until it seemed Kate had arrived at a decision.

“Let’s discuss this later, sweetheart. I know you have my best interests at heart, but we need to be cautious.”

“My point exactly.”

I waited while Kate readied herself for a day of conference phone calls and other work from an office she’d created on the same floor as our apartment. Once dressed, we joined others in the dining room for breakfast.

Catherine cooed delightedly, frequently chuckling while enjoying breakfast. Simon’s apology letter and resignation were beside her plate, and she frequently pointed a finger at another line of text, shaking her head. Her gloating and enthusiasm for my actions did me no favors. A less enthused Kate shook her head disapprovingly.

“It’s nothing to celebrate, mom.”

“I’m sorry, Kate, but Simon had that coming for a long time.”

“Yes, agreed, but now we have a dissenting voice shooting his mouth off around town and the potential for a criminal complaint of Jacob offering to break a man’s legs.”

“That’s not terribly likely, dear. Simon can’t get work without a decent reference. He’s been employed on the estate for ten years. You should celebrate your fiancee’s triumph. Jacob has disposed of a problem for all of us and swept clean any cobwebs the estate might have lingering.”

The displeasure conveyed by Kate’s expression changed slowly while she stared at me, and her face brightened. Eventually, a hand slid across the table, grasping mine. When she examined her engagement ring, all remaining exasperation was entirely dissolved.

“You were only helping me, Jacob. Mom’s right, I’m sorry for being argumentative.”

“It’s no problem. We should move on and create a proper security plan.”

Catherine came over and kneeled between us, placing her hand on top of ours. She looked sincere and tears welled in her eyes.

“Your father would be thrilled to see the two of you managing the estate and your company.”

“It’s Kate’s company and your family estate. I love being here, but it’s not mine, Catherine. I think it’s important to be clear on that point. As much as I appreciate my position and your trust, I can’t claim what’s not mine.”

My fiancee stared at me with a withering expression, then glanced at her mom.

“Do you see what I have to put up with, mom?”

“I’ve told you, Kate. Give me your hand brush and half an hour alone with Jacob and I’ll fix everything.”

“Oh mom. There are so many things wrong with that statement, I don’t even know where to begin.”

Catherine faced me, and I knew a motherly lecture was inbound.

“Jacob. I suggest you settle in here because you have a vested interest in making things work. Your children will be the next generation on this estate, so you owe it to them to stop being so prissy about money and belongings.”

“Sorry Catherine.”

Kate looked somewhat vindicated, and I wondered if my intransigence to accepting the position of estate manager might be a source of the problem for her. I felt awkward having been flung into a family of such enormous wealth and didn’t want to be perceived as a freeloader.

I extracted myself from breakfast and a discussion between Catherine and Kate about the security of the stables because I wanted to visit Richard Granger’s old study alone. It was a small building accessible either through the kitchen or externally from the side of the house. Kate’s father never allowed visitors to meet him at Granger Hall, believing that they might overrun his paradise.

Catherine gave me the key at breakfast shortly after chastising me, explained where the office was located and suggested I got a feel for her husband, his life and the things he deemed important.

She explained that the office hadn’t been used for a year, but when I unlocked its heavy wooden door and stepped inside, the place was pristine clean. Richard’s sanctuary was the size of a squash court, luxurious beyond anything I’d seen in a workplace, with walnut wood everywhere, contrasted by a cream colored deep pile carpet. I removed my shoes just in case, not wishing to scuff what appeared to be a lush forest of expensive wool underfoot.

The two longest walls had floor to ceiling walnut cabinets and book shelves running their length with a small bar at the end. A couple of windows were set in the center with light wood venetian blinds I opened to let in some natural light.

At the far end, one door led outside, and another accessed a private bathroom. His desk was an open square, dark wood mahogany with three Apple Mac monitors at eye level with a keyboard sunk down to a lower height. Several photographs hung on the wall or stood in ornate frames on Richard’s desk. All of them had Kate, Claire and Catherine in them and some included the man himself.

When I sat in his thick, deep burgundy leather swivel chair, it felt sumptuous and didn’t wobble a millimeter. The desk inset was a rich burgundy leather with document trays in front of me the same color. Three Mont Blanc pens sat in one tray with a bottle of purple ink.

Dear Jacob.

My name on a brilliant white envelope blinked, drawing my attention, so I picked it up and inspected the sealed document. A presence at the door I’d left open distracted me and I glanced up.

“That’s for you, Jacob.”

“Oh hi, Catherine.”

“He wrote a letter hours before he died, immediately after meeting you, and asked me to leave it in here for when you’re ready.”

“Am I ready, Catherine?”

“I think you’ve always been ready, son.”

She gave me a motherly smile, and I felt comfortable. Catherine’s presence was calming to most people unless you incurred her wrath. The Granger family matriarch sat down in front of me on a leather wing-back chair that looked well used.

“That’s your seat.”

“Yes. You are wise, Jacob, as was Richard.”

“You advised him.”

“I was his confident, son, there is a difference. Richard loved the estate and always made the best choices for its long-term future. I was less of a visionary, so I did what he needed.”

“What did Richard need?”

“The same thing Kate does for you and now it seems you reciprocate for her.”

“Provide stability?”

“Exactly, Jacob. Richard knew that about you. His letter will explain everything, although I doubt my husband went into details, because-.”

Her voice trailed off and her expression contorted momentarily as grief passed by like a fleeting ocean squall. I was ready to go to her, but Catherine might misconstrue that as pity. She stood up as though to leave.

“Did you read the letter?”

“It’s for you, Jacob, not me.”

“Will you stay please, Catherine? I’d like to read it aloud.”

She looked surprised, then pleased and sat back down.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I love Kate and she loves you. I want to learn and there is no cause for secrets between us, right?”

“That’s true.”

I slit the envelope open using a knife placed nearby on his desk for that purpose, admiring the perfectly weighted dagger with two razor-sharp edges and an intricately carved wooden handle. I grinned at Catherine who looked at me quizzically.

“It’s a weapon in disguise.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’ve seen them before. Actually, that’s not true. I’ve used them. Light enough to have a few stashed around your gear and sturdy enough to ram upwards through a man’s jaw and throat, killing instantly.”

“Jesus, Jacob. What an awful world you’ve lived in.”

“It’s a nice knife, though.”

I withdrew the watermarked sheet of paper, unfolding its three-fold concertina. Richard’s penmanship was excellent and written in purple ink.

Dear Jacob,

With hours before I shuffle off this mortal coil, I’ve met you and feel in high spirits. Kate has been my life’s work and now, I believe she is in safe hands. I love all of my family equally, but my eldest daughter is the one to take our company and this estate forward, handing that over to a new generation.

That includes you, dear boy. You are also my successor, on this estate and by adding your genes to mine, siring the grandchildren I would have loved dearly (and soon). You’ll quickly realize Catherine is your greatest ally, and that Kate is a very dominant, but kind woman.

Kate will lead, tempered by your wisdom.

My office is yours to enjoy and the estate yours to manage. Don’t fuck it up, Jacob, or Kate might be annoyed and you wouldn’t want that.

Please protect our family, Jacob.

With love, Richard.

There was a file reference at the bottom of the page, further evidencing the man’s meticulous nature. I held the letter out for Catherine to read privately, but she shook her head, beaming happily. When I refolded and slid it back into the envelope, a nearby desk drawer seemed the place to keep it.

I opened the drawer and placed Richard’s letter inside, nonchalantly ignoring a matt black Glock 19 pistol with its magazine fitted. When I smiled at Catherine, she saw something was wrong, but no further questions were asked.

What the fuck did you need that for, Richard?

“He knew you were the right man, Jacob. For Kate, this family and the estate.”

“We only met for a few minutes.”

“And he misjudged no one ever, that I recall.”

Catherine seemed happy when she left, closing my office door behind her. I noticed how quiet the room was and bathed in that tranquility for a few minutes. It felt peaceful, and I could understand why Richard considered it a sanctuary.

The dagger disguised as a letter opener and a pistol preferred by Special Forces seemed unnecessary, but I figured the reason for his ownership of them would become revealed in time.

I meandered around the office exploring, opening cupboards and browsing some of Kate’s father’s book collection. One of the closets, roughly as tall as me was locked, so I returned to the desk drawer recalling I’d seen a set of keys there.

I picked up the pistol and removed its magazine, confirming it was full. When I cocked the weapon, a bullet was ejected, realizing that Richard was prepared for its immediate use. I replaced everything back in the drawer except the keys I needed.

Inside the cupboard was a very thick steel safe with a tumbler lock. I tried the handle without success, then leaned back on my desk, staring at the safe, baffled.

The letter.

The file reference on the bottom of the letter was a combination code for the safe. It was simple to code, but when I opened the safe, its contents made me reel backwards in shock. I fished out my phone from a pocket and began messaging.

Hi darling. Could you come to my office, please? There’s something here that you must see.

I waited five minutes for Kate to check messages while staring at Richard’s secret.

On my way.

I couldn’t stop staring into the safe until Kate arrived after another five minutes. She walked into my office, obviously familiar with her dad’s work environment, stopping a few metres away, holding her hands wide open, with a slight air of impatience.

“What is it, Jacob?”

“Come and see for yourself.”

She was intrigued and skipped across the carpet, taking my hand before looking into the safe.

“Jesus!”

“Yup.”

“That’s a lot of gold bars.”

“I counted at least two hundred.”

“How much money is that?”

“I’d say around twenty million dollars. More importantly, what’s it doing here?”

“Did you ask mom?”

“No. Only you and I know about this. Richard left a note for me and on the bottom was the combination for this safe.”

“Let’s keep it that way, Jacob.”

She sat down in Catherine’s chair wearing a troubled expression, precisely mimicking how I felt. Kate glanced around the room, checking off her memories while absorbing the enormity of a treasure I’d discovered. When her eyes eventually settled on me, her mood seemed lighter than earlier in the day.

“You look like my father sitting in that chair, Jacob.”

“This is a nice office. Would you prefer to take it and I’ll move upstairs?”

“Dad wanted you installed here. I want the same thing, Jacob. You heard what mom said earlier. It’s time to settle in and step up.”

“It’s daunting.”

“Only because you’re making it feel like that, fiancee.”

I opened the desk drawer and picked up the Glock pistol, setting it down on my new desk.

“This pistol isn’t the sort of weapon a hobbyist buys. It’s for protection and ordinarily suited to a person who knows how to use it.”

“I’ll admit this all seems odd, Jacob, but you’ll have to investigate everything before making assumptions. My father was an incredibly stubborn man, given to keeping secrets and always wanting to be in control.”

“You haven’t inherited that at all, Kate.”

“Thank you, sweetie. Now… I had an idea about some therapy for tonight that might help you settle into Granger Hall. We haven’t used our dungeon yet. Shall we have some fun?”

“Oh yes, please.”

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