Prologue
I’m not afraid of werewolves or vampires or haunted hotels, I’m afraid of what real human beings do to other real human beings.
© Walter Jon Williams
The weather was really cold for this time of the year. Late September. Nick tried to find some money in his pocket while trying to open the door to his apartment with his keys from another pocket. Unfortunately, he got only two crumpled dollars and ten cents. Well, he will be in trouble if the flat owner remembers about his dept.
Today was Nick’s birthday. And the only thing he got in his fridge was an old half of an onion. Crap. He really needs to change something in his life.
Nick Lemongrass was a young man who was turning twenty eighth today. He was a freelancer artist. His family was pretty small because his mum died when he was only five years old and his father brought him up with the help of his sister. Nick was grateful for them but after graduating from the School of Arts he decided to build his own grown-up life and moved out.
It all started really well but after a year of independent life his savings were almost gone and he had no stable job. Not a very uncommon situation, right?
Suddenly the telephone on the wall in the entry rang.
- Hello?
- Nick Lemongrass? – the unknown voice asked.
- Yes, it’s me. And who’s this?
- My name is Jerry Cornwell. I am your mother’s lawyer. I have some important information for you.
- Okay… - Nick tried to proceed this strange information. He had no idea that his mum had her own lawyer. – Err… Well… What is it… Mr.Cornwell, right?
- Yes. Jerry Cornwell. Can you come to my office tomorrow morning? It’s on the 129 Central street. It is really important.
- Well, yeah…sure! Tomorrow morning. I’ll be there.
- Thank you. And by the way happy birthday! See you tomorrow.
- Oh, thank you Mr.Cornwell… Goodbye.
Nick was surprised and a bit sad. Thoughts about his mum always had such effect. He remembered her smile and odd night bed stories. What was it all about? What important information it might be?
Young man sighed and opened the cupboard to take out his favorite tea-cup. Hot tea and bed will be perfect right now. Nick sighed again:
- Happy Birthday to me. – he laughed sadly and put the pot on. – I hope tomorrow will be a better day.
***
Next morning I was standing in front of the Jerry Cornwell’s office and gathering myself to come in. Just at the moment when I was ready to knock the door I heard:
- Come in, Mr.Lemongras please, do not waste your time.
I pushed the door knob and entered the room.
- Please, sit down. – Mr.Cornwell was a middle-aged man dressed in strict office suit.
- Hello… So, once again, why am I here?
- As I said on the phone I have some important information for you. Unfortunately, your grandfather has passed and now the only one heir left from your mother’s family is you. This is your grandfather’s will, - the lawyer showed me a big brown envelope, - and you need to sign some papers here…
TBC
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