Free The Past Came Hunting by Donnell Ann Bell Page A

chairs―hell, it even included a wet bar.
    “Looks like you made a bundle with our parents’ money. So why don’t you save all that hot air for some exercise equipment and let’s get down to business.”
    “What business ?”
    “My inheritance.”
    The anger seeped from Adam’s beefy face, replaced with unmitigated shock. “Your what?”
    “My inheritance. I’m here to collect.”
    “You’ve got your nerve. Our mother’s estate was settled years ago. Your inheritance? Not only did we spend your share, but a great deal of our own, on that high-powered lawyer who saved you from life in prison.”
    Drake strolled to the bar, took out a glass and poured two fingers of Chivas Regal. He swallowed the scotch in one single gulp. It burned all the way down, reminding him that he was alive. Fifteen years in prison, a man wasn’t sure. He poured another and drained the second as well.
    “My God,” Adam stammered. “It’s nine-thirty in the morning.”
    Raising his glass, Drake said, “So it is. When the bottle’s empty, I tear this place apart. Starting with you, Adam. My money, I want it.”
    Adam lifted his hands from behind the desk and held them, palms up. “Don’t you get it? The last time I came to see you in Cañon City I tried to explain, but you were too incensed to listen. Mother revoked your trust, Drake. She disowned you. She left you nothing .”
    Memories of his childhood flashed in his brain. His mother had doted on Adam and his younger sister Kristina, while Eileen Maxwell called Drake a disappointment.
    Still, Adam was right. At Drake’s trial she’d spared no expense. To cut him off without a dime? She wouldn’t. Rage tore at his insides. “You’re lying.”
    Adam withdrew a file from the lower right side of his desk, dropped it on the smooth cherry finish, then said defiantly, “It’s all here in black and white. That is if pushing dope with those drug-addict friends of yours didn’t deter your ability to read.”
    For a man who appeared to be smart, pushing Drake was a very stupid thing to do. He poured another glass of scotch.
    “I’ve never understood,” Adam went on. “You had everything. Education, money, looks, and some even say, charm. You threw it all into the sewer, then dove in after it. When you teamed up with that Rander character, that pretty much sealed your fate, didn’t it―”
    “Why are you bringing up all this shit?” Drake said, through gritted teeth.
    “Speaking of the sewer rat,” Adam continued, “he came to see me last month. Asked for a job. I might have considered it, but he refused the company drug test.”
    Drake set the tumbler upon the desk. “You’re almost out of time, Adam. All I care about is my money, which so far is in your checkbook.”
    Sighing, his brother rose, rounded his desk and negotiated the sectional. Standing between the sofa and Drake, Adam pulled a picture away from the wall, exposing the safe behind it.
    Drake stood in the center of the room, clenching his hands into fists and tasting his excitement.
    “Ever think of making things right?” Adam keyed in numbers on an electronic pad.
    “Such as?”
    “I meant what I said. If I would give a second chance to someone like Rander, the least I could do is make the same offer to my brother. You could come to work for Maxwell Construction, earn your way up, maybe even find your way back into the family.”
    Drake studied his surroundings. “Would I get this office?”
    Adam’s hand remained on the latch and he shook his head slowly. “Not even close. Weekly drug tests, entry level position, but I pay a decent wage. Prove yourself. You’ll make a nice living.”
    And Drake thought he’d met con-men in prison. It had to be killing Adam to give up Drake’s share of the money. “As much as letting my skin turn to leather and crawling around in dirt appeals to me, I’ll pass. Why should I do that when I’m a rich man?”
    Adam’s face turned purple. “Have you no shame at