"Don't worry your Uncle made provision for you in his will and testimony. Care to hear more about it?"
This was Mr. Beresford's way of politely asking her to join him in the limousine.
Charm nodded.
She didn't refuse as she was still in a state of total shock.
As she entered the limousine they shook hands and politely exchanged pleasantries.
For the entire drive Mr. Beresford watched her with keen interest.
The next thing she knew they were back at her house.
Feeling overwhelmed, Charm invited the lawyer and his guards into her house.
Books lined the wall, plaques and awards were displayed either on the wall or in glass cabinets.
Only Mr. Beresford entered, the guard remained stationed at the front door.
Close enough to be in reach should his boss need assistance.
Yet still giving them both some measure of privacy.
The rest remained outside to guard the perimeter of the house.
"Are you sure you're not in the mafia?" she blurted out before thinking.
The question just kind of slipped out.
She covered her mouth in embarrassment but the lawyer just laughed.
"Would you like something to drink," she asked politely.
"No thanks," he answered. "Let's get down to business."
Charm's house was right next to a major highway.
Even though the house was supposed to be sound proofed.
They both could still hear the busy hum of traffic.
"My news must have come as something of a shock to you," Mr. Beresford said.
While making himself comfortable in the brown armchair and Charm chose to sit opposite him.
"That's the understatement of the year," she responded.
Laughing a bit self consciously before she could stop herself.
A kind of self defense mechanism Charm developed over the years when dealing with nosy people.
Her thoughts were in turmoil.
For some strange reason Charm couldn't understand why she felt the need to spill her guts to someone.
Though Mr. Beresford looked like he was willing to listen.
"I don't know how much you know but Uncle Alphonso was my last known, living relative. He said he just had one more business trip to take and promised that we would spend time with each other this summer, so this comes as something of a shock to me."
The solicitor nodded his head sympathetically, "Mr. Benjamin is not only a client but I consider him a close friend. Even though we went to university together he was always something of a loner. Imagine my surprise when he called to tell me he was going to live with his niece and planning to retire from his dangerous line of business."
"Just what kind of work exactly was my uncle involved in?" her curiosity piqued.
Mr. Beresford said brusquely, "I'm not at liberty to say but as your uncle's legal advisor. I have a copy of his will to share with you if you care to see it?"
"Sure. I would love to have a copy to read in my spare time but can you please just share the gist of it," Charm immediately responded.
Mr. Beresford said encouragingly, "I understand that you might be feeling overwhelmed right now. If you want I can refer you to a great therapist, a former client of mine, free of charge."
Charm blanched, "no thanks."
"Fine with me," he said while shuffling through his brief suitcase to take out the necessary paperwork.
He set them down on the nearby coffee table first making sure those important looking documents were in the right order before handing them over to her.
"Mr. Benjamin was already voluntarily liquidating most of his assets. Amongst the documents, you'll see copies of a few bequests. These are just a few things left to friends and cohorts but the bulk of his estate and various business assets have been left to you."
"I see but what about his body?" she asked, sitting at the edge of her seat. "Can it be returned here and will you help me make arrangements for a funeral?"
"There is no need for a funeral. You see, Mr. Benjamin had been declared legally dead by the government. Besides, your uncle was not a fan of funerals; he always used to say 'give me my flowers while I'm alive to appreciate them.' Regretfully, his body was never found. This is all classified information so I cannot go into great detail but just know I tried my best on your behalf to retrieve your uncle's body to no avail."
Mr. Beresford lips were now pursed.
So tightly drawn and she could see that his eyes wanted to say more but his lips remained sealed.
Charm's mouth fell open when the lawyer admitted that her uncle's body could not be located.
Just what had her uncle been involved in?
So many unanswered questions swarmed her brain and her mind blanked temporarily with shock.
An uncomfortable silence sprang up between them.
After the lawyer had been working so hard to put her at ease with conversation.
Mr. Beresford noted the flush of her cheeks, the perspiration on her brow and her sweaty palms.
Normally he would wrap up the conversation around this time but he had not yet shared all that he came to inform her concerning her uncle's affairs.
She could tell that the lawyer was worried about her so she straightened up in the armchair.
Trying to sit upright and hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
"Truth be told, what I'm about to say next," he added gently, "might not go over well with you."