The Last Option

"Can we come in?" West asked, as he made his way before Camila reacted.

Upon entering, he observed everything carefully for a few seconds, while Bernard did not leave his amazement at the unexpected visit.

"We were a bit hesitant to go up," West said, "but when you didn't come down again, we decided to do it. I was surprised when the con serge told me this apartment is yours, Mr. Sullivan."

West sat next to Bernard and Laura on the sofa, while Scanlon remained standing, having no more furniture to sit on.

"Are you following me?" Bernard asked, a little indignant.

"It's very nice," West continued, still seeing everything around him and pretending not to have heard him, "if I had known that the drivers of the millionaires were doing so well, I would have left the force long ago and dedicated myself to that job."

"You wouldn't have liked it," Scanlon said sarcastically, "because you don't like being bossed around. When bosses scold you, you throw a lot of tantrums."

West looked at him and pointed his index finger at him, laughing.

"That's true. I'm very spoiled with taking orders."

"May I know the reason for your visit?" Bernard asked them half angry. "Unless you hear about the investigation, I don't think I can be of much help to you. I already told you everything I knew."

"When we found out you left the hospital we wanted to know how you were feeling," West replied. "We went to the hospital and by chance we saw you getting into the car of the Miss Valverde, it's her last name, isn't it? And we decided to follow you so we could speak better when we got to your house. By the way, we are very sorry you were not allowed in to the Hicks' funeral, as we later learned it was a strictly family ceremony." "And from there we follow you here," Scanlon said.

"Better to do that than go around finding your address, Mr. Sullivan," West said. "I like to walk in the street more than to be stuck in an office managing systems and shuffling papers."

"Or you would have asked me the first time you questioned me. I think it was much easier than following me."

"That's also true, Mr. Sullivan, but back to the point, don't you remember anything else? Any detail that came to your mind suddenly?"

"I'm afraid not, Captain. Sorry."

"Well then, I think we've wasted time following you and coming here." West got up from the couch, looking at Thomas, Laura and Camila in front of them. "I'll leave you with your friends, who I see aren't very talkative. Did we bother you or interrupt something?"

"Of course not, Captain," Thomas replied. "It's just that we didn't want to get in the way of your work and divert your attention from Bernard."

"Apparently the only suspect they have so far," Laura said in a low tone. West pretended not to have heard the comment.

"Then we retire," West said. "As we policemen always say: if you remember anything else, call me." He handed Bernard one of his cards he took from one of the pockets of his suit. "See you soon."

He walked with Scanlon to the door and when they opened it they saw Phil Wilcox who was about to ring the bell.

"Wow!" West exclaimed. "Look who we have here: the Hicks' lawyer. I imagine your visit is for work, right?"

"Sure enough, Captain," Phil said, surprised to find the cops there, "I'm here on business. More specifically because of Mr. Sullivan's job as the Hicks' driver."

"Okay, we'll leave you guys to talk then," West said. "I hope he doesn't lose his job, even if he no longer has someone to drive to."

With that said, he left the apartment followed by Scanlon. Phil closed the door and headed into the living room. He sat where Captain West had sat.

"When we left the cemetery I had the intention of accompanying you here to help in whatever way I could, but they called me from the company and I had to detour there to see what would happen. I have news for you, Bernard. "Okay, tell me."

"Can we talk alone?"

"Don't worry, lawyer, they already know everything. I just told them. They know about the baby and the surrogacy treatment. Sooner or later they were going to find out. You can speak openly."

"Good. The company's accountant called me because Louis Randall had ordered him to update Nathan and Norma's accounts, both personal and corporate, and found some details in their calculations that caught his attention, including some tailor's accounts, a Rolex and transfers of funds to your personal account. Since you were Nathan's driver, the accountant preferred to call me and ask about that money before passing the information on to Randall and Rebecca Hicks." "Can Louis Randall do that?" Thomas asked. "What Mr. Hicks did with his money was his business. The Rolex may be the one he gave me when I retired. They shouldn't be rummaging through his things, it may have been one he bought for himself."

"It was precisely because Nathan wasn't given to buying very ostentatious things that the accountant called me. His luxury cars had been inherited from his father, with the exception of the i4, which was a gift from his sister for his birthday. Several times he was tempted to sell it, but I prevented it, until he could give it to you, Bernard."

They all turned to see Bernard. Damn! A BMW i4?

"It was another payment as part of the deal," he told them when he saw their reactions. "He only gave us these two things: this apartment and a BMW."

"And the money," Phil said, "which were large amounts, that's why they caught the accountant's attention. And the purchases in stores of things for babies and children. I told him they were for you and Margaret, that you were expecting a child, and he wanted to help you by giving you that money and buying those things, so he was satisfied for now. Anyway, those accounts will help us later with the courts."

"I imagine the payments they made at the fertility institute will also come to light," Bernard said. "One of the things that should be kept private. Those guys are only interested in money, especially Randall."

"Honestly, he's taken attributions he shouldn't have lately," Phil said. "I suppose to be good with Rebecca. In any case, the Shareholders' Council won't endorse what he does. I will take care of everything." "What if he fires you?" Laura asked.

"He can't. Only the Shareholders' Council can do it, as I am at the head of the company's legal team."

"You should start the paperwork to get the baby recognized as a Hicks immediately, lawyer," suggested Bernard. "We must not wait any longer, knowing those two very soon there will be nothing left that he can inherit." "I agree. I will finish gathering the evidence and proceed immediately. I'll be letting you know."

Phil got up and left the apartment.

"Do you trust him?" Thomas asked Bernard.

"I have to. He's the only one around Nathan who knows everything. If Nathan trusted him, I have no choice but to trust him too."

"I hope you're not helpless, little one," Laura said softly to the baby.

"He won't be," Bernard said firmly, "whether I can prove he's a Hicks or not, he has me to watch over him. You can be sure of that, Laura, I will never leave him alone."