paper. What does the bequest require me to do?”
Thrasher looked awkward and his left eye twitched twice before he said,
“I have no idea. When I stated a few moments ago that I had no idea of the tasks detailed in the bequest, I meant it. I have a sealed package and an envelope for you. My instructions were to ascertain that you were William Bacchus, answer any legal questions you might have and then give you the package. At this point, you can of course take me into your confidence and I will assist you to the best of my ability or, you can leave my office with the package and that will be the end of our association.”
Thrasher stood up and walked over to a door set into the far wall of his office. Inside that door was the solid steel door of a walk-in safe with a large handle on the right of the door and in the middle a circular combination dial. Using his body to shield the dial from William he twirled the dial then twisted the handle and pulled open the safe door. He disappeared for a moment and then reappeared carrying a substantial, padded envelope and a smaller A4 envelope, both with the name William Bacchus on them in a fine italic script. Thrasher placed them on the table in front of William along with a paper knife and sat down opposite him.
The smaller envelope had, as well as his name, an instruction to open it in the office of Gerald Thrasher. Taking the paper knife, he slit open the top of the envelope and took out a short hand written letter and a cheque. Putting the cheque on top of the larger envelope, he sat back and read the letter.
‘Dear William
If you are reading this letter then I am dead and buried or cremated and no longer able to continue the search for the truth regarding my brother Jonas’s death or to expose CHC Industries, for what , I’m not yet sure.
However, I am sure that this will have come as an immense shock to you, both the bequest and the position you now find yourself in because of the conditions I have imposed upon you. I can only apologise and hope that once you are aware of the full circumstances, you will be able to understand what I have done and perhaps forgive me for the path I have forced you to follow.
The enclosed cheque is to settle the account of Thrasher leaving you able to break all ties with him if you choose. I sincerely hope that you do, as I do not trust him. I have discovered that his name is used as a front for the law practice in which he is a ‘senior partner.’ This practice provides the legal expertise to people who I expect will try to stop you completing the requirements of this bequest.
Whatever your decision, do not reveal the contents of the bequest to him under any circumstances. I suspect that he has associations that will not help your cause and may impede you.
The large padded envelope contains details of your bequest along with the key to a significant amount of background material, which will help to bring you up to speed. There is also a more detailed letter in the larger envelope. The large padded envelope should be a cream handmade envelope using a very high quality handmade paper. The envelope of the letter you are reading is also made of the same paper and both have been signed and wax sealed across the flaps. If you have any doubt as to whether or not they have been tampered with, contact Dave Rogers at Wookey Hole in Somerset and he will test it for you. He has questions for you to answer to confirm your identity. Only you can have the answers. Thrasher knows what will happen if he has tampered with these documents or allowed it to happen.
Please burn or shred this letter before you leave Thrasher’s office. DO NOT LET HIM READ IT.
Yours
Ernest’
William continued to stare
Thrasher looked awkward and his left eye twitched twice before he said,
“I have no idea. When I stated a few moments ago that I had no idea of the tasks detailed in the bequest, I meant it. I have a sealed package and an envelope for you. My instructions were to ascertain that you were William Bacchus, answer any legal questions you might have and then give you the package. At this point, you can of course take me into your confidence and I will assist you to the best of my ability or, you can leave my office with the package and that will be the end of our association.”
Thrasher stood up and walked over to a door set into the far wall of his office. Inside that door was the solid steel door of a walk-in safe with a large handle on the right of the door and in the middle a circular combination dial. Using his body to shield the dial from William he twirled the dial then twisted the handle and pulled open the safe door. He disappeared for a moment and then reappeared carrying a substantial, padded envelope and a smaller A4 envelope, both with the name William Bacchus on them in a fine italic script. Thrasher placed them on the table in front of William along with a paper knife and sat down opposite him.
The smaller envelope had, as well as his name, an instruction to open it in the office of Gerald Thrasher. Taking the paper knife, he slit open the top of the envelope and took out a short hand written letter and a cheque. Putting the cheque on top of the larger envelope, he sat back and read the letter.
‘Dear William
If you are reading this letter then I am dead and buried or cremated and no longer able to continue the search for the truth regarding my brother Jonas’s death or to expose CHC Industries, for what , I’m not yet sure.
However, I am sure that this will have come as an immense shock to you, both the bequest and the position you now find yourself in because of the conditions I have imposed upon you. I can only apologise and hope that once you are aware of the full circumstances, you will be able to understand what I have done and perhaps forgive me for the path I have forced you to follow.
The enclosed cheque is to settle the account of Thrasher leaving you able to break all ties with him if you choose. I sincerely hope that you do, as I do not trust him. I have discovered that his name is used as a front for the law practice in which he is a ‘senior partner.’ This practice provides the legal expertise to people who I expect will try to stop you completing the requirements of this bequest.
Whatever your decision, do not reveal the contents of the bequest to him under any circumstances. I suspect that he has associations that will not help your cause and may impede you.
The large padded envelope contains details of your bequest along with the key to a significant amount of background material, which will help to bring you up to speed. There is also a more detailed letter in the larger envelope. The large padded envelope should be a cream handmade envelope using a very high quality handmade paper. The envelope of the letter you are reading is also made of the same paper and both have been signed and wax sealed across the flaps. If you have any doubt as to whether or not they have been tampered with, contact Dave Rogers at Wookey Hole in Somerset and he will test it for you. He has questions for you to answer to confirm your identity. Only you can have the answers. Thrasher knows what will happen if he has tampered with these documents or allowed it to happen.
Please burn or shred this letter before you leave Thrasher’s office. DO NOT LET HIM READ IT.
Yours
Ernest’
William continued to stare
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