tomo or no tomo, agnes decided to get right to the point with minerva. she knew tomo had hearing like a mountain lion, and keeping her voice low might be a waste of time, but she did so anyway.
“there was a story that came to my attention,” agnes began in her low growl, “maybe to yours too. about the granddaughter or something of some fellow in cow country who is alleging fraud by grandfather gray about a hundred years ago and wanting - i guess wanting pretty much the whole family fortune.”
“as a matter of fact, i did see it,” minerva replied after a slight hesitation. “but it is, just - just nonsense. nonsense like that pops up every week. it keeps the lawyers occupied. you wanted to see me just about that?”
”but you did notice it?” agnes asked. “something about it caught your attention, did it not, not like what you call the usual nonsense? you knew right away what i was talking about - busy as you must be, eh?”
minerva hesitated again. “yes, i suppose it did. one of the lawyers brought it to my attention,” she lied, “and something about it - there was just something about it. do you know anything in particular about it, that you come running to me like this?”
“no, i was just like you, i thought there was something i could not put my finger on, that it rang some kind of bell. do you plan on doing anything about it, or looking into it yourself.”
“i had not,” minerva lied again. “i suppose the lawyers will have to file some kind of papers, as a formality. i had forgotten about it - until you came along.”
agnes knew minerva was lying. “that is reassuring,” she answered, “thank you.” she took her cigarettes out of her handbag and began lighting one.
“why are you so interested, anyway?” minerva asked. she did not need to say out loud, “it’s my money, not yours.”
“just checking, dear,” agnes answered. “those of us who only get the crumbs like to keep track of what is on the table.”
“i suppose so. but then i am not like you, agnes.”
“no?”
“no, i don’t really care anything about money. i would be perfectly happy to live on three or four million a year.”
agnes laughed. “really? i heard you were quite keen on going to the office every day. running the empire your own little self.”
“it is something to do. it keeps me busy.”
“you could carry on the family traditions - drink, get a nice tan, all that.”
“pooh. not i, thank you.”
“you could take up painting, or write a novel.”
“i would hope i think better of myself than that.”
agnes had almost forgotten tomo. she glanced back at him. he seemed to be having a conversation with a bummy looking fellow who had seated himself at his table.
agnes had been surprised that minerva had so readily admitted to an interest in the lawsuit in the boondocks. she, agnes, had thought it foolishness on the countess’s part and had only been humoring her. now her own interest was aroused. very much aroused.
and minerva, hearing of agnes’s interest, was now more determined than ever to have the case investigated.
minerva finished her coffee and her creampuff. “i don’t mean to be rude, but i have some things i have to get back to.”
“a little rudeness never hurt anybody,” agnes assured her.
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