Hampton Manor

“That’s good. Remember now, not a word to anyone about our arrangement.”

“You can count on me. Is there anything else I can do? I’ll be here, so I‘ll be glad to help in any way I can”

“I tell you what, Neil. You’re absolutely correct that things can change at the last minute. If that happened it could cost me a lot of money. Just to be safe, why don’t you page me three times in rapid succession as soon as Adam Hampton is with his father. That way I’ll know for sure that he’s there. If, for any reason, he should leave, page me twice right away. If that happens, I’ll call you back to find out what the problem is.

“You bet, but I hope that everything goes well for you the first time.”

“So do I, Neil. Have a good night.”

“You too, sir.”

It was time for the Assassin to check his equipment and set up a timetable for the next day. He put fresh batteries in the remote detonator and started on the list. The Old Brooking Water System would be first to go; he would set off the Nitrex at 7:15 p.m., effectively leaving the town without running water. The million and one-half gallons of water stored in the town’s lone water tower would immediately begin emptying at 0.43 PSI of pressure from the gaping hole in the conduit caused by the collapse of the pumps. He counted on them being unable to close off the main valves in time. Streets surrounding the station would be under water for hours until the sewer system could drain the excess away. The vantage point he chose would protect him from the explosion, implosion and sudden surge of water onto the streets. He would then move to his second base where he would detonate the Nitrex at the abandoned warehouse at 7:30. Once again, being at a safe distance, he could admire his handiwork prior to moving on to his last destination.

The final observation point is the parking lot of a two-story condominium complex where there were always empty “visitors” parking spots. From there he could see Hampton Manor, his final target. His plan was to arrive there about 8p.m, wait for the three beeps from Neil, set off both devices and watch the flames in his rear view mirror on his way out of town. By the time he put enough distance behind him, news of the fire should be available on the local “all news/all the time” radio station.

In the event that the water system failure or warehouse fire delayed the meeting of father and son, he was prepared to go ahead with his plan to destroy Hampton Manor. From a professional standpoint he would be reneging on his promise to assure that they were together when the bombs went off, however, there was little likelihood that the client would find out. Anyway, even though they might not be physically together, they were certain to be in the Manor when the bombs went off. Any delay would put the entire plan in jeopardy and he couldn’t allow that to happen. It had to be done tomorrow night, one way or the other.

With the timetable complete there was nothing for the Assassin to do but wait. It all comes down to everyone playing their roles. He could feel his heart pumping faster as he looked over the timetable and equipment once again. God, I love this business. What other profession gives a person such complete control over their work?

Chapter 36

Marcia used a public telephone to make the call, not because she was hiding anything, but because she was unsure of the security of her cell phone. It took several minutes before she got through to Robert Sewell.

“Have you caught up with him yet?”

“Not yet. Hampton has several layers of protection around him at all times and he moves about quite a bit. It’s almost as if he knows I’m after him.”

“He has a lot of informants. He probably knows that you’re looking for him. This isn’t the first time he’s been targeted. Keep at it until you nail him. I want this matter closed soon. I’m anxious to leave this town and I don’t want to go as long as this issue is still open. Have you tried to catch up with him at the Barbiere club? He likes to stop there for cocktails sometimes and to ogle at the dancers.”

“No I haven’t, it wasn’t on my list. I’ll give that a try. Don’t worry Ms. Bloom. He can’t evade me forever. Don’t worry, you’ll have your day in court, yet”

“I hope so. All my funds are tied up. He owes me eighty thousand dollars in back salary, fifty thousand for a bonus I earned and access to my retirement fund. I want him nailed for harassing me as well.”

“It would be lot simpler if you would allow me to go after Hampton Industries rather than Adam Hampton III. I could get that suit filed as early as tomorrow morning.”

“No, Bob, I want the suit to be against Adam. I want him to pay for what he’s doing to me and I want punitive damages. I can’t allow him to hide behind a corporate structure. I’ve been through too much to let him off the hook that easily. He’s personally responsible and he’s going to pay. Big-time! I looking for justice, here.” If you absolutely can’t locate him then serve his personal attorney, Matthew Scheiber. He can accept a summons on Adam’s behalf if necessary.

“Okay, I’ll keep trying to serve him. I’ll put a few more people on it. Maybe I need to employ a femme fatale to get him to drop his guard.”

“Make sure she’s stacked. If there is one thing I know about Adam, he’s a sucker for a nice shape and a big pair of boobs.

“Then, I think I know just the right person for that. I’ll let you know how it works out.”

Chapter 37

Evelyn Littleton sat in her kitchen trying to sort out all the ramifications of what had transpired in the past forty-eight hours. Her plan to settle her score with the Hamptons was in full swing.

Using her connections with the Greater New England Alzheimer Association, which she supports with a generous check every year, she obtained a DNA sample from a recent test conducted on Adam Hampton II. Using the sample and saliva from a glass recently used by Kane, Evelyn arranged for a private paternity test. The test came back showing conclusively that Adam Hampton II was Kane Masterson’s father. That should be the finishing touch. Just the proof I’ll need to establish Kane’s right to the Hampton Estate. I’m sure glad I didn’t tell Kane about his real father. He probably would have done something rash and messed up all my plans. His time will come, but not yet.

She now had scientific proof of the truth she had known and concealed for the past thirty-five years. That being done, she was slowly formulating a plan as to how to best use the information to benefit Kane and at the same time do the most harm the Hamptons. Evelyn ran a scenario through her mind, First, Kane will have to file a claim as a rightful heir to the Hampton estate. The court would most likely exculpate Adam Hampton III from any wrongdoing since at the time he was unaware of Kane’s existence. Kane’s claim might be weakened by my failure to disclose his legal right as an heir at the time of the competency hearings.

Why did I have to be so proud? Why was it so important to me that Kane be kept at arm’s length with the Hamptons? That decision has just made this business that much harder. Of course I know the reason. I didn’t want to have a scandal connected to Kane’s name. He was already making a name for himself. at Preston Industries. He didn’t need to be mixed up in this mess. The Courts can’t hold that against him. That was entirely my doing. Look at the results. I couldn’t have raised a finer man. This is getting to be too much for me to handle alone. I ‘m going to need some help with this if I’m going to pull it off successfully.

Ten minutes later she dialed an estate attorney recommended by her lawyer.