Part 3 – Helena Hendricks

  Chapter Twenty-two - Trust.

  It was one of the larger rooms in the house; even so, it wasn't a big room. In the center of the ceiling hung the light in a round metal fixture. Under the light was a rectangular table. It was big enough to sit six people, but not comfortably. There was a deep farmhouse basin under the window. On the far wall there was a gas stove. Its rounded edges and chipped paint showed its age. Outside the window, some distance away, you could see a propane tank. Weeds grew from its base. By the living room door, there was a refrigerator freezer. It was ancient, and it gave off a noticeable hum. Frank and Mrs. Hendricks sat at the table. Brent found a chair just outside the kitchen door. He hoped that the hum of the refrigerator would make him seem less intrusive.

  Mrs. Hendricks said, “Your friend isn't going to join us?”

  Frank said, “He's heard all this before. He even helped me gather some of it. Besides, he said he wanted to look around. I think he's going to check out that car.”

  She asked, “The car?”

  Frank half joked, “Yeah. The three Bs. Bugs, bombs and other bad things.”

  Surprised, she replied, “You don’t think?”

  Frank surmised, “No, I don't think there's anything to worry about.”

  The old woman seemed concerned.

  Frank said, “My friend is very careful. And he doesn't sit still very well. He probably won't find anything. But looking makes him feel better.”

  She tried to be humorous, “Well. Maybe it's better if I don't make him any coffee?”

  Brent spoke, “I'll make some coffee. It's probably better for me if I moved around.” He stood up from his chair and went into the kitchen. The mention of coffee suddenly prodded him into motion.

  Frank placed his hand on top of Mrs. Hendricks’ hand. He offered her a half smile and said, “If you're ready, I have some questions and some things I need to explain.”

  She inhaled and held it for a moment. She uttered as she exhaled, “I'm ready.”

  He asked, “Who owns this house and the land it's on?”

  She looked puzzled for a moment. Then she replied, “My husband?”

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  Frank laid pictures of each of the properties out in front of her. He asked, “There are several small properties in Boston. On the South side. I don't know if you're familiar with them. Who owns these properties?”

  She lifted each picture. Her lips moved as she read the addresses. Her puzzlement grew as she read. Then she answered. “My husband? I would guess. Since you're asking.”

  Frank watched Brent glance at them knowingly.

  Frank placed another set of pictures in front of her. “What about this property?”

  Softly, she said, “That was my family property. In Pennsylvania? I've been told that's community property. So, me and my husband owned that?” She looked up at Frank.

  Frank placed several letter size documents in front of her. “Have you ever heard of any of these companies?”

  She looked at each page carefully. She removed one page from the stack. She spoke, “This is the address in Pennsylvania. There's no business here. No one ever collected rent from Eden. Well, not that I ever knew of. I was never told anything about this. When she was married to Bradly, they never paid rent. And she didn't keep paying it after...” she stopped herself and began to tear up.

  Frank gave her time.

  She paused to look around the room. “That was to be her home. My family home. My gift. Each of the girls would get property of equal value. Eddie was still using her after she was gone.”

  Concern grew on Brent's face as he watched them.

  The men waited until she was ready to speak. Frank held her hands in his.

  With a strained voice, full of anger, she said. “He still used her even after she was gone.”

  He waited before he said. “I have a reason for showing you all these pictures and documents. If it's OK with you? I'd like to tell you now.”

  She nodded as she held her tears back.

  Frank smiled an evil grin, then he spoke. “Your husband doesn't own any of these properties. He was trying to use you to avoid the government. Taxes. Lawsuits. Criminal charges. The way he set it up, you are the sole owner of nearly everything. Or at least you will be in the case of his death or your divorce.”

  Her eyes grew wide with surprise. She looked at Brent.

  He nodded before looking down.

  Frank continued, “Before we go on, there is one thing I need to clear up. I've looked at it. There is no way the house in Pennsylvania was ever community property. That was in a family trust, and you inherited it before you were married. The taxes were even paid out of the trust account until we took over. There's no way he could have touched it in a divorce. Even if you passed first, he wouldn't inherit it. The only way your husband could ever touch that is if he was a soul inheritor. He's not, and it's not likely he'll be anytime soon. We bought it from the trust, and Eden left it to me. I’m giving it back and now it goes into the trust.”

  She smiled. Then, she said roughly. “It was mine? All these years he told me I was wrong. He told me it was his. But it wasn't his. So, he really doesn't get to keep it after all. That's good. And you? You want to give it back?” She looked at Frank then continued, “Do I have to do anything about the rest of this stuff right now?”

  Frank wondered, “No, not right now. Do you have something in mind?”

  She asked with a smile, “For most of this, I think I'm going to have to wait for an opportunity. Do you think I could sell this house? If it's in my name, I could get some money. Have you been to the House in Pennsylvania lately? I think I need to evict Mr. Kilgore. Yes, I really would like to see him gone from the house.”

  Brent snorted and held back a laugh. “Mrs. Hendricks, I don't think you have to worry about Mr. Kilgore. It's going to be a long time before he can return to the house.” He didn't know what Frank had done to Kilgore. He didn't need to. He was glad that it was done. He placed two cups of coffee on the table. No one said that Kilgore had been evicted long before her daughter’s death.