A Changing Land(118)
‘Such as?’ Mr Woodbridge asked.
Frank took a sip of his black coffee.
Tony read from his own pile of copious notes. ‘The use of emotive elements such as, “Sarah’s brother dying in her arms on the property, the floods and droughts the family has withstood –”’
‘Certainly those areas are of interest and of course nowhere has your client been in sight during these tumultuous times, and’ Frank twirled his blue enamel pen in his fingers, ‘the fact remains there is some concern as to your client’s actual parentage.’
‘What?’ Jim stuttered.
‘Come, come, Frank,’ Tony Woodbridge tutted. ‘This is meant to be a conciliatory discussion.’
‘Well it’s all hearsay at this point, however we would require a paternity test,’ Frank continued. ‘In fact the court would demand it.’
Sarah knew this was part of Frank’s plan. It would either delay proceedings or bluff Jim into a reduced settlement. Yet even she thought the test was a little much, after all, everyone accepted Jim as her father’s son.
‘I don’t want my mother dragged into this.’ Jim’s fist hit the table for emphasis, sloshing coffee from his cup.
Frank nodded. ‘I quite understand your protectiveness towards your mother, Jim.’
Tony Woodbridge lay a calming hand on Jim’s shoulder. ‘Paternity to my mind is not an issue,’ he looked furiously at Frank, ‘but my client is only too happy to comply. Consider it a necessary evil, Jim, one that will ensure your entitlement.’ He looked at Jim. ‘I’ll contact Mr Levi in Scotland and he can inform your mother that a blood test will be required.’
‘You are aware, Jim, that this case could go on for years? That there is the possibility, however slight, that your own family will be subjected to slander.’
Sarah kept her eyes glued on the middle of the wooden table. Frank sure knew how to bait a client.
‘Slander?’ Jim repeated.
Frank hunched his shoulders. ‘It happens.’
Tony Woodbridge scratched the back of his hand, coughed politely as if clearing his throat. ‘Let’s keep everything above board shall we?’
‘Of course,’ Frank agreed smoothly, ‘we can talk if you drop all claims to the house contents and stock.’
Jim and his solicitor conferred in whispers. Sarah crossed her fingers, strained to hear their words. Finally, Jim nodded.
Tony Woodbridge sat back in his chair. ‘My client is in agreement to drop his claim towards the contents of Wangallon Homestead and the livestock. This is a gesture of goodwill on his part for the contents are of a historic nature and therefore valuable. However my client is cognisant of the importance of these material possessions to his half-sister, Sarah. Similarly he renounces any claim to the stock. In return my client requests his inheritance as stipulated by the late Angus Gordon.’
Frank swallowed the urge to tell the pugnacious Woodbridge to go to hell. Currently he felt they had the edge. Sarah, to her credit, remained cool following her initial outburst while Jim appeared decidedly uncomfortable. Such character differences were of major importance when it came to deciding whether court was a viable option. Frank figured Jim only had fifty per cent of the fight in him that his half-sister had. Maybe the Gordon genetics weren’t that strong in the boy? Frank poured himself a glass of water and took a slow, calculated sip. ‘And if we decide to contest? How does your client feel about that? He would in the short-term no doubt prefer to return to Scotland, albeit empty-handed.’
‘You offered a payment plan.’ Jim’s voice was slow and meek.
Sarah recalled their conversation at Wangallon the night Jim flatly refused her offer and she in return had practically thrown him out of the homestead. It had been a harebrained scheme on her part. The sum needed to pay Jim out was too large. Even a payment plan would require the sale of assets.
Frank intervened. ‘Ms Gordon is not in a position to offer this.’
‘Why the hell not?’ Jim asked.
‘Then it would appear we have reached somewhat of a stalemate,’ Tony Woodbridge observed. ‘If your client has insufficient funds to fulfil the terms of her grandfather’s will, then I would ask that thirty per cent of the property known as Wangallon be advertised for sale within two weeks. Mr Macken is entitled to his inheritance and once he is in receipt of the funds he will return to Scotland. There will be no further claims on the estate once Mr Angus Gordon’s wishes are fulfilled and my client is prepared to sign documentation to that effect.’