“I like being close to you. Andy?”
“I like holding Daniel’s hand. It’s soft.”
“Seems that we’re staying where we are. Tell me, what do you remember from what Benji told you?”
That conversation happened before Fire Island, which made it feel like ages ago. “He said that your parents died in a car accident and left almost all of their money to me.”
“Yep, they sure did.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Kim probably didn’t know about that. She and you would’ve split the money evenly if she were still alive, but since she isn’t,you’rehitting the whole jackpot.”
“How could Robert decide those things on his own?”
“He kept everything in his name. I don’t think even Kim knew how broke she was because he gave hereverything she wanted.”
Chris had been fighting hard for years not to think about those people, and now he was being pulled once more into their twisted life.
“Robert had no reason to leave me anything,” Chris said firmly. “You were there the last time we spoke.”
“Yeah, I remember that day, but Robert and I haven't quite seen eye to eye in the last few years.”
It was clear there was more to the story. “He could have left the money to Andy,” Chris said.
“Andy would have given it to me.”
True. Andy would have given half his organs to Trevor if he asked him to.
“I’ll speak with the lawyer,” Chris said. His hand was getting numb with the way Andy held it against the door.
“And what will you say to him?”
“That I don’t want the money, that it can all go to you. I’ll sign the papers, and—”
“That won’t work.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Shh, don’t raise your voice unless you want your pretty wife to come check on you. I’d be happy to introduce myself to the missus. Maybe we can compare notes. Does she finger you? I bet she does.”
Chris forced himself to remain composed, although he was anything but calm. “Why can’t I sign a waiver for the will?”
“Because Robert knew I’d come after you for the money, and he prepared.”
The burning dread in the pit of his stomach grew. “What did he do?”
“He added three fun conditions. The first one was that waving the will would automatically give all the money to charity. The second one was that you wouldn’t get that money for the first two years after his passing. The third condition, and the cherry on top...” Trevor leaned closer, breathing into Chris’s face. “...the money wouldonlygo to Andy and me if you were to die during the first two years.”
The words circled in Chris’s head, their meaning shockingly clear. Even from the grave, Robert sought revenge against him for leaving.
“I’ll speak with the lawyer,” Chris said through the drumming of his heart. “There are always loopholes.”
Trevor nodded. “You do that, Danny boy. Give old Benji a call and figure out a solution to our little predicament.” He cleared his throat. “Ireallyneed that money.”
“For your dealer?”
“My dealer is the least of my worries. I made some bad investments in the last few years and got into risky adventures that didn’t pan out.”
