Part 5 (1/2)
Now he must ask them to defer their interest payments for another three months He picked up the telephone
”Gethi one bunched fist into his jacket pocket
At five o'clock he stood up froers of whisky and went back to lower himself wearily into his swivel chair He felt no elation at having won another reprieve, he was too tired
The unlisted telephone on his desk rang and he picked it up
”Lance, he said
”Hoas London?” he recognized the voice instantly, feeling no surprise that the Old Man knew about his journey The Old Man knew everything Before he could answer the hoarse croak caain, ”Come up to the house now!” And the receiver clicked dead
Johnny looked at the whisky in his hand regretfully and set it down untouched The Old Man would s over the erine and peaches The Old Man stood at theand watched the cloud cascade down into the valley, dispersing as it fell
He turned from theas Johnny entered the study and instantly Johnny are that solanced quickly at Michael Shapiro for a cue, but Michael's grey-streaked head was bowed over the papers he held on his lap
”Good evening” Johnny addressed the Old Man
”Sit there” The Old Man indicated the Spanish leather chair opposite his desk
”Read it,” the Old Man ordered Michael, and Michael cleared his throat and patted the papers into a neat square before he began
The Old Man sat with his eyes on Johnny's face It was a candid, intimate scrutiny, but Johnny felt no discoh the Old Man's eyes were caressing hi out the al phrases The document was the Old Man's Last Will and Testament, and it took twentyof it When he had finished there was silence in the room, and the Old Man broke it at last
”Do you understand?” he asked There was a gentleness about him that there had never been before He see on his bones and leaving the dead seabird
”Yes, I understand”Johnny nodded
”Explain it to us siook, just to be certain,” the Old Man insisted, and Mike began to speak
”Mr van der Byl's private estate, with the exception of his shares in Van Der Byl Diamond Co Ltd, after taxes and expenses, is placed in Trust for his two children, Tracey-” The Old Man interrupted ih they were flies
”Not that The Company Tell him about the shares in the Company”
”Mr van der Byps shares in the Company are to be divided equally between you and the two van der Byl children, Tracey-” Again the Old Man interrupted
”He knows their names, dammit” It was the first tirinned ruefully at Johnny, as though asking for his sy his face, feeling the deep satisfying thrill swelling within his chest
A third share in Van Der Byl Diareat fortune nobody knew that better than Johnny
However, by placing Johnny's name on the list with Tracey and Benedict - he had made him his own This hat he had worked for all these years The declaration was public, an acknowledgement to the world
Johnny Lance had a father at last He wanted to reach out and touch the Old Man His chest felt swollen, tight with e
Johnny blinked
”This is-” His voice was ragged, and he coughed ”I just don't kno to tell you-” The Old Man interrupted hiesture, and he croaked at Mike
”Now read him the codicil to the Will No, don't read it
Explain it to hied; he looked down at his papers as he spoke, as though reluctant to meet Johnny's eyes
He cleared his throat unnecessarily and shi+fted in his seat
”By the codicil to the Will, dated the saned by Mr van der Byl the bequest of shares in Van Der Byl Diamond Co Ltd to JOHN RIGBY LANCE, is made conditional on the issue by the said JOHN RIGBY LANCE of a personal guarantee for the debts of the co the present loan account and a to tributary companies for royalties and options
”Christ,” said Johnny, stiffening in his chair and turning to stare incredulously at the Old Man The tightness in his chest was gone ”What are you trying to do to me?” The Old Man dis at hione he repeated Johnny's question
”What a toabout two and a half million Rand”
”No creditor would come to me for half a million, I would be hard pressed to raise ten thousand on my personal account” Johnny shook his head irritably, the whole thing was nonsensical
”There is one creditor who could come to you, and subject you to the full process of law Not to receive payment in cash - but in personal satisfaction He would s so”
Johnny's eyes narrowed disbelievingly ”Benedict?” The Old Man nodded
”For once Benedict will hold the top cards He won't be able to dislodge you froement of the company, because Tracey will support you as she always has done - but he will be able to watch every move you make from his seat on the Board of Directors He will be able to hound you, bring you and the Co financial loss himself
And when you fall - you know better than to expect re you have created”
”Created?”
Johnny's voice was shocked ”What do you mean?”
”You turned him into what he is now You broke his heart, made him weak and useless ”
”You are crazy” Johnny ca to Benedict It was he who-” But the Old Man's husky croak brushed aside Johnny's protests ”He tried to run with you - but could not He gave up, became small and vicious Oh, I know about the way he is - how you made him” Please, listen to me I did not-” But the Old Man went on remorselessly ”Tracey also, you have ruined her life You enslaved her, in your sin-” ”That night!” Johnny shouted at him ”You never let me explain We never-” Now the Old Man's voice was a whiplash
”Silence!” And Johnny could not defy hirained The Old Man was tre with passion ”Both uedto hide his hurt in a hunt for pleasure I have given him the instruments to destroy you, and when he does so perhaps he will become a man” The Old Man's voice was strained now, rusty and painracked He sith an effort, his throat convulsing but there was no softening of the glitter in his eyes
”My daughter also, torturned by her lust A lust which you awakened she also seeks an escape frouilty passion Your destruction will be her release”