A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cal was reading in his study when Lovejoy
knocked at the heavy, open door. Papers were strewn across the desk. Cal was
deep in thought and deep into the brandy on his desk. It seemed to him these
days he needed a brandy to help him through. If it wasn't his father making
life difficult, it was the foreman at the steel mill. If it wasn't him, it was
Rose. His study was his sanctuary.
"Come in", Cal looked up from his documents. "Something on your
mind Lovejoy?"
"Yes Sir, there is."
"Close the door and come sit" Cal leaned back in his leather chair
and gestured to the one opposite.
Lovejoy sat himself down.
"Well Lovejoy, what's the problem?"
"The Dawson fellow has just been here again." Lovejoy gauged Cal's
reaction. As he suspected, a dark shadow fell across Cal's face.
"And?" Cal took a gulp of his brandy.
"He brought a parcel of pictures for Miss Rose. He insisted on speaking to
Trudy. I listened in on the conversation. There seems to be a little
familiarity between Dawson, Trudy and Miss Rose"
Cal slammed the empty glass on the table.
"You said there wasn't a problem"
"I don't believe there will be one if we act now sir."
Cal tapped his chin with his finger whilst he considered the situation.
"I'll not have it. Some Bohemian artist being too familiar with my wife,
or my servants, dammit. What to do Lovejoy?"
Cal looked thoughtful as he poured another brandy into his glass from the
crystal decanter on a salver on his desk.
"Get him out of Philadelphia Lovejoy. Offer some cash to go and draw
somewhere else. Tell him it's a gift from Rose. Just get him out of
Philadelphia and fast. The mass unwashed always seem to yield to a cash
offer."
"Yes sir."
"If he doesn't take it, find some other way of persuading him to leave. I
don't want him near my wife or my house again. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly sir."
Lovejoy mingled amongst the crowd that were gathered at the park edge. With the
fine weather, word had spread about the artists and daily their popularity
grew. Jack was doing very well, not only with his portraits, but his ready done
scenes and images. His mind was full of Rose and of his trip to New York. He
recognized the uncomfortable looking man in the suit as he approached. Dam,
thought Jack, I meant to ask Rose who this guy was.
"Good afternoon Mr. Dawson" Lovejoy greeted him with disdain.
"Good afternoon Mr. er" Jack paused hoping it would prompt a name
from the man. But it didn't. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name the
other day"
"My name is of no consequence. The only thing you need to know is that I
am here with good news from Mrs. Rose Hockley."
Jack stared hard the man. What on earth did he want?
"OK, you have my attention."
Lovejoy looked around to ensure no one was in earshot. He moved closer to Jack,
who immediately felt slightly threatened by the taller, bigger man.
"Mrs. Hockley is very appreciative of your work as you know. Therefore,
she is offering a chance for you to study and improve yourself. Perhaps in
California but any where of your choice"
"I don't get it" Jack was puzzled. Why hadn't Rose come herself? What
was this guy getting at?
"I am offering you money to buy the train ticket of your choice, plus some
out of pocket expenses, for you to move on. There is nothing er artistic for
you Philadelphia. However other states other ample opportunity to young
artists. I believe."
"Why hasn't Rose come herself?" Jack asked.
"Come now Mr. Dawson. It wouldn't be appropriate for Mrs. Hockley to come
here and give you money would it?
"No but," Jack continued.
"So, what do you think? Seventy five dollars would cover it?"
"Whoa there, hold on a minute." Jack eyed the wallet that the man had
removed from his inside pocket. This was all too fast.
"You offering me cash, now?"
"Oh course, no time that the present. Mrs. Hockley is anxious that you
don't waste your talent. I have the cash here. You could be moving on to a
whole new beginning by tomorrow."
"I don't get it." Jack was puzzled. " You giving me cash to
leave town now. Right?"
Lovejoy looked and felt frustrated. Money had always worked before. He looked
at the young man before him. A haircut, a wash and some new clothes wouldn't go
amiss. How could he afford to turn down such a sum of money? He had presumed
that if he waved some dollar bills in front of him, he'd be gone by teatime. He
hadn't counted on resistance.
"Mr. Dawson, you drive a hard bargain." Love joy removed a handful of
notes and held them out to Jack. "One hundred dollars for you. On the
condition you leave town tonight."
Jack pulled his hands through his hair. He looked at the cash, then at Lovejoy.
"Train ticket to a new city. Deposit on a new apartment. New art supplies.
Maybe a college course. The options are all there Mr. Dawson."
"What if I don't want to go just yet? I have other business in Philly. I
can't just go tonight."
Lovejoy was now totally frustrated. He had not considered this and had no back
up plan. He was getting annoyed and his composure was waning fast.
"The deal is cash now and go now. I'd advise you to take it son. Mr.
Hockley isn't always so generous."
Jack noticed that the guy was getting a little anxious. His suspicion grew.
"Mr. Hockley? I thought you said it was from Rose?"
"Miss Rose would want you to leave town and start again somewhere whilst
you can. Mr. Hockley on the other hand, may change his mind about the generous
offer." Lovejoy almost shoved the notes in his face.
"Be smart son. You know nothing about this town or the Hockley's. Don't
get involved, don't try my patience."
Jack was now sure Rose wasn't behind this.
"Look mister, take your money and go run. I don't want Hockley's cash and
I don't want to see your face again. If Rose has anything to say to me, she can
come and say it. I'm sure she wouldn't have sent no flunkey to tell me to get
out of town. Who are you anyway?"
"I was your best chance Mr. Dawson, your last hope." Lovejoy waved
the notes at Jack again, but realized from Jack's defensive stance that he
wasn't going to take the money. Lovejoy stuffed the money back into the wallet
and put back into his inside pocket.
"You are a fool boy, you should go why you have the chance."
Lovejoy turned and walked away. Jack knew he had been threatened. He could only
guess why. Hockley wanted him out of the way. He remembered the bruises on
Roses arm and her face. God I hope she's Ok Jack thought. If him leaving
guaranteed her safety, he'd go now. But it didn't. He was going to wait and
ride out Hockley's threat.