Fallout, page 1
Fallout
The Yacht - Book 1
By K.C. Hunter
Table of Contents
Meet the Harringtons……………………………………………
Chapter 1 Bad News……………………………………………..
Chapter 2 A Con or Two……………………………………….
Chapter 3 An End and A Beginning…………………………...
Chapter 4 A Clue………………………………………………..
More from the Author…………………………………………..
Meet the Harringtons
Alexander and Samantha Harrington were very well off, in fact they were billionaires. They were liked by everyone, but unbeknown to them, their wealth was also envied, even by people in their own affluent bracket, (not that there were many at their high level).
Theirs was the perfect marriage, at last it seemed so from the outside, and their children were impeccably behaved and caused only enormous pride. Unlike most extremely wealthy people, they always made time for their family, never missing their children’s sports or anything else they participated in.
That is until the day it happened. Then everything changed in an instant, and the most common feeling towards the Harringtons from then on was pity.
All the trite phrases were true from that day forward; nothing was ever the same; it changed them all, and those around them, forever. While these might sound like banal expressions, just how much that single event would change their world is something no one could imagine.
They were talked about all over the world and helped by some, hindered by others, but no one was indifferent to the plight of the Harringtons after that day.
Alexander and Samantha had three children; the eldest, Rafferty was nicknamed Rafi or Rafo when he was being mischievous, (which was quite often). He was quite tall, athletic build, good looking and had blond hair. At twenty one he went to a top university where he hoped to graduate in two years’ time as a quantum physicist, or more precisely a ‘quantum mechanic’, as he called himself, because that branch was where his interest lay.
Rafi took his studies very seriously and it was his sharp, analytical brain that had got him into the university, not his father’s money. The same brain allowed Rafi time for fun too. He understood things his teachers said without difficulty and remembered everything with no need to study. That left lots of time for being a playboy, enjoying evenings of alcoholic indulgence and racing cars.
Then he met Netta, a scholarship student from a lower middle-class family. He fell head-over-heels for her, and she for him. Her parents disapproved of the relationship, believing Rafi to be a spoilt rich kid who would probably did drugs. This was based on no knowledge of him, as the decision was taken before meeting him, and the fact Rafi had never even tried a joint, deterred this conviction not a bit.
When they did meet him, and he turned up in a car which cost about the same as their house, and a watch that was a year’s wage for Netta’s accountant father, things did not improve. Mr. Thorpe worked for the government as a tax auditor and he had seen all the big businesses try to hide large sums of money. He was sure Rafferty’s family was no different, and he believed this was stealing.
Rafi and Netta continued their relationship, but for her sake, they didn’t broadcast it, and Rafi often went out with his friends when he would have preferred to have a quiet dinner with Netta. This was to make it appear that their relationship was not as serious as it was.
He already had his Quantum Physics BSc (Hons), having done the course in only two years, but after this year, he had another year to go for his Masters.
Netta, the same age as him, would get her Bachelor degree in Computer Science at the end of next year.
That summer they intended to find a house to rent near the university so they could live together while finishing their last year. Rafi intended to pay a maid so they did not have to do housework and could concentrate on their studies, and each other. Rafi’s parents knew this but Netta’s didn’t, yet.
Jasper was eighteen and had two months of school left. He also had two months of being eighteen left, as his birthday was less than a week after school ended. With light brown hair and slightly taller than Rafi, Jasper was thinner, so looked less sporty, although he could beat his elder brother at many games. Jasper wasn’t as bright as Rafferty, in fact he had to study very hard to scrape a pass in most subjects. Partly this was due to a lack of interest. His goal was to take over the family business and he felt that anything else was a waste of time. His father had other ideas and insisted he finish school. His father also wanted him to do a business degree, but once he reached adulthood he intended to refuse. Learning ‘on the job’ was the best education Jasper believed.
His father wanted him to spend the summer having fun, but Jasper had forgotten how to do that when he had to spend all his time studying. He wanted to start in the firm the day after school finished. He was a very serious young man, but also incredibly immature.
Susanna, Suzi, although the youngest, was the most mature of the three siblings, which she always attributed to her ‘being a woman’. Pretty, average height and with brown hair like Jasper’s, but with curls, she tended towards fat, unless she kept fit. This she did by playing a lot of sport, and doing well at it.
She didn’t know what she wanted to do when she finished school. There were a few things that interested her a lot; cookery; writing; art and sport. She knew she wasn’t good enough at any sport to do it professionally, and the same applied to art. She toyed with the writing idea, but wanted to write stories, not articles for newspapers or magazines and again, she didn’t think she had the ability to do it well enough. She knew herself to be a great cook, and her father had offered to set her up with a catering business and supply endless clients. This was the field she was thinking most seriously about – at present anyway, but she still had one more year of school to do before it was time to decide. Like her brother, her birthday fell during the summer holidays, and she intended to cater for her own 18th birthday party. She had the menu already planned.
Chapter 1 Bad News
“What are we doing here? Jasper asked, perplexed.
“We know as much as you do,” Suzi replied to her brother.
“Yes, but what’s it all about?” insisted Jasper.
Rafi took a deep breath and said, “Look, you and Suzi were taken away from school urgently. I was called from university. We are sitting in father’s lawyer’s office, and mother and father aren’t here. I don’t think it is good news. I think we need to be prepared for the worst,” he explained gently.
“What do you mean the worse? Do you…” Jasper stopped speaking as the door opened.
“Hello, sorry to have kept you waiting,” said Dorsey Thornton, their father’s lawyer of many years, entering somberly.
He wandered to his desk with deliberate slowness, and to the three waiting children it seemed to take an eternity. Once there he sat down ponderously, moved a few documents about, then raising his head he said, “I am afraid I have some bad news for you. Your parents were killed in a car crash. It happened yesterday, but the car was only recovered today. That is why I was late. I came straight from the police station where they asked me to confirm the two people in the car were your parents. They were. I’m so sorry.”
Three stunned faces stared at him in silence. He felt so sorry for them, and so helpless too. He had known Alexander and Samantha Harrington for years, and apart from being their lawyer, he was also a friend. He knew his friend’s children were hurting, but he also knew worse was to come. This wasn’t the time to tell the kids everything. Most of it would keep until tomorrow, at a push maybe even the next day. They needed to deal with the loss of their parents before having to deal with all the rest too.
“I called Bob and Imelda, and they are waiting to take you home with them.” Organizing for the family’s closest friends to be with the youngsters was at least something he had been able to do.
“We don’t want to go home with Bob and Imelda. We want to go to our own house!” Jasper said in anger.
Dorsey knew the anger was at fate and not him, but there was more bad news and they had to hear it today. “You can’t go home. The police have cordoned off the house and are checking it. For now, it looks like an accident, and it almost certainly was, but when a billionaire dies they have to be sure it wasn’t foul play.”
“They can’t stop us going into our own home. I need my things!” and Jasper jumped up.
“They can,” said Suzi quietly.
“Sit down Jasper!” ordered Rafi.
Jasper sat.
“Tell me what you need and I will see what I can do,” Dorsey offered.
“I don’t know. I need to get it myself!”
“Jasper, I’m sorry, but that just isn’t possible,” Dorsey said softly, and then thought to add, “not today anyway.”
“Does that mean…”
“JASPER STOP IT!” Suzi screamed and burst into tears.
Rafi gathered her in his arms, whispering softly, “I know, me too”.
“But, I want to know…” a determined Jasper tried again, but this time Dorsey and Rafi said at the same time, “ENOUGH, BE QUIET!”
“Bob and Imelda are waiting, why don’t you go with them and get some rest. Have a good stiff Whiskey or something. Then tomorrow if you feel able, we need to discuss a few things,” Dorsey almost whispered.
“What things
“Nothing that can’t wait. I think you need to get your sister,” indicating a sobbing Suzi, “away from here. Take one thing at a time, and that is first.”
“You’re right. Thank you," and Rafi moved towards the door with Suzi in his arms. Jasper stayed where he was, arms folded and a sullen, stubborn look on his face.
“Jasper?” tried Rafi.
“I’m not going anywhere until I know more!”
“Jasper, you are nearly nineteen, so act like a man and not a spoilt little boy. Get up and help your sister and brother. This is not about you. You are not the only one hurting. Suzi needs your help. Your behavior is making things worse and you are hurting her and Rafferty more, so stop behaving like this. Go home with Bob and Imelda, come back tomorrow with a different attitude, and I will answer any questions I can. Behave like this and I will not let you in the door. NOW GET OUT!”
No one would ever know what it had cost Dorsey to speak like that, but he realized Jasper was in shock and denial, and thought that only another shock might bring him to some form of normalcy.
He was right, and Jasper left in silence, but not without giving the lawyer an ‘I could kill you’ look.
Bob and Imelda were outside the door, waiting, and Imelda immediately hugged Suzi and Rafi. Bob went to Jasper and put his arm around the boys shoulders, but Jasper shrugged him off with an, “I don’t need your help”.
Rafi quickly left Imelda’s warm embrace and went to Jasper, grabbing his arm and pulling him outside.
“That’s enough Jasper. Bad news is not an excuse to be rude to everyone. We are all hurting, but Dorsey and Bob are trying to help.”
“You are not my father. You have no right to tell me what to do!” Jasper had no intention of giving up his sullen manner.
“No I’m not, and I’m sure he and mother would be so very, very proud of you for hurting people in that way and being so horrible. They would be delighted to hear you being rude to everyone!” and Rafi stalked off, both shocked at his normally quiet brother, and worried at the same time.
His sarcasm was not intended to hit home with Jasper, it was only his own way of showing his disgust, but it did hit the mark and Jasper followed him without insulting anyone else.
Imelda drove the three kids to the house in her car and Bob followed in Rafferty’s car.
Chapter 2 A Con or Two
Once at the house the devastated children learnt that before going to collect them Bob and Imelda had gone to their own house and fought with the police in order to gather up some things for them. There was a change of clothes, something to sleep in and a few essential toiletries for each of them.
Dorsey had managed to have a work with Bob in the office and suggested he call a doctor for Jasper. The doctor gave both Jasper and Suzi something to calm them down, and before long they were asleep. Rafferty refused anything and the doctor didn’t insist as he felt Rafi seemed able to handle things without medication.
Bob and Imelda sat in the lounge with Rafi, each with a very large Brandy.
“Do you know what happened?” asked Rafi.
“Not really. I know they were in the car together and it went off the road beyond Horseman’s Point. When I went to get your clothes one of the policemen told me they think the brakes failed. They found a small pool of liquid on the garage floor and think it is probably brake fluid, but they are having it analyzed. We should know in a day or two.”
“What were they doing at Horseman’s Point?”
“I have no idea. Your father was working on a new deal, maybe it had something to do with that.”
“No, I don’t think so. Dad never took mum to business meetings.”
“You’re right, he didn’t. I really don’t know.” Bob was tempted to ask if it mattered, but maybe when your parents have just died everything mattered.
The evening passed slowly, Rafi picked at some chicken from the meal Imelda insisted was good for him, and went to bed, the other two children continued to sleep. Bob and Imelda worried about them all, but Dorsey, knowing what was ahead, worried much more. He didn’t sleep at all.
As down arrived, so Dorsey made a decision. When a decent hour came, he called Bob, and briefly explained the situation. Imelda listened in too and gave her opinion. Together they tried to arrive at the least terrifying scenario for the kids, and chose to have Dorsey come to the house to talk to them there rather than do it in his office. It was arranged for mid-morning and agreed that Dorsey’s arrival would be a ‘surprise’. They didn’t want the children to think they were discussing them behind their backs, even though in fact that is what they were doing.
Rafi and Suzi woke up around breakfast time, and as expected, were subdued and sad. Jasper too, woke up as anticipated, still sullen, angry and discourteous.
After breakfast Bob asked Jason to come to his study for a word, but Imelda forestalled him with her hand, saying she first needed Jason to help her outside.
Both Bob and Imelda knew that Jasper needed to have a change of attitude before Dorsey came, otherwise the whole thing would become an even bigger mess.
When Imelda led Jasper away, Bob resorted to something he rarely did before sundown; he had a large glass of Brandy. Rafi and Suzi accepted one too.
When Jason came back inside some ten minutes later he was a changed man, for that was how he looked now, a man. The petulant boy had disappeared.
Quite what Imelda had said to him and no one ever knew for she refused to tell, but whatever it was it worked. Jason was back to his normal self and stayed that way.
Before long Dorsey arrived and the group collected in the lounge. Dorsey explained he needed to talk to the children about their father’s estate. He also asked them if they preferred to be alone or if they would let Bob and Imelda stay. The lawyer said he felt it would it be better to let them stay as they may be able to help, and when no argument was forthcoming, that is what they did.
No one expected the news Dorsey had to impart, and he certainly had never thought he would have to say it.
What it amounted to was this; Alexander Harrington was in the process of making a massive acquisition when the accident happened. He had borrowed, leveraged, and otherwise used every single thing he owned in order to finance the deal. It appears the accident happened before the contracts were signed because they had not been deposited with the legal firm. That was one problem. The lawyer said he had a team of investigators working on it to try and discover what the company was and where the contracts were.
The next, and more pressing, problem was money. For reasons that Dorsey could not fathom all the loans were called in less than an hour after the accident was reported. This was unprecedented and Dorsey could not think of any good reason, except that someone was out to ruin the family. He had a team of investigators working on that too because it was so strange. However, in the meantime everything was frozen and the children could not use the house, the cars, or access the bank accounts, not even the ones in their own names, as their parents were guarantors on those. They didn’t have enough to keep them going for a week, even if they lived frugally. (At that point, both Dorsey and Bob said they would help with money, so not to worry.)
The money may turn up, or the contracts might have been signed and simply not deposited, but the problem is time. We don’t have enough time unless we find something in the next week or so. I will file as many delaying documents as I can, but you need to prepare for the worst. The bank and creditors, who are anonymous, which is frustrating, but not uncommon, are not prepared to wait.
He explained that he had asked that the children be permitted to collect all their own private things, and was waiting for an answer, but he felt sure it would be allowed in the next few days. When he also suggested that ‘any paintings or objects in the house that had been given to them as gifts should be declared and requested the return of, and the same if Suzi had any jewelry that might be in her mother’s jewelry cabinet,’ everyone knew what he meant. He added that the authorities might ask for proof, which for gifts was almost impossible to provide, but he felt that if the items were not of huge value, that might not even happen.
