The Wives Of Edward Denbre, Robert F. Clifton [recommended reading .TXT] 📗

Mrs. Denbre?”

“I was under the impression that this was a Community Property State,” said Joyce.

“No, it's not. Many people make that mistake. There are many factors that are weighed by the court in the event of a divorce. At the same time I suggest that since both of you have your own individual bank accounts that you change then to, Payable-On-death accounts. In relation to the stocks and bonds the suggestion is that you utilize the, Transfer-On Death for the securities and finally the, Transfer of Real Estate. By doing that it protects both of you.”

“Then, as I understand it the assets I have as a result of my former husband is protected in case we divorce.”

“Can we get back to the re-organization please?,” asked Edward.

“Certainly. Now, as I understand it you, Mrs. Denbre in a show of good faith wish to purchase real estate which will be added to the portfolio of Denbre Enterprises. At the same time you also wish to have your last will and testament written with leaving all assets to your husband. ”, said Byrnes.

“That's correct. The properties I have in mind are the former Hotel Gwendolyn. It's been closed for some time now. It's too small to be used as a casino. However, I see it as an excellent property to be converted to an assistant living facility,” Joyce replied.

“I hope that you are considering using our firm to handle the transaction”, said Byrne.

“Of course,” Joyce replied.

“This is new to me. What's the asking price?” asked Edward.

“Five hundred and eighty thousand dollars,” Joyce answered.

“That's too high. I've told you over and over that real estate here right now is a bad investment,” Denbre replied.

“I know what you told me and you're wrong. Besides it's my money and it will be my contribution to the company.”

“We would be better off with a cash contribution,” said Denbre.

“Why, so you could take it to the casino?”

“Joyce, let's not expose our dirty linen in front of Mr. Byrne. We can settle this at home.”

“For once, you're right. Please excuse us Mr. Byrne,” said Joyce.

“No problem. I believe we're done here anyway unless either one of you have any questions,” Byrne replied.

“No, I can't think of any,” said Joyce.

“Alright, I need both of your signatures on these documents. I'll call in two members of the office staff to be witnesses,” said Byrnes.

Back at the condominium in Ventnor Edward unlocked the front door and allowed Joyce to enter before him. Once inside he said, “I don't like surprises, particularly those dealing with my business interests and most of all not in front of my lawyer,” said Denbre.”

“If you're speaking about the Hotel Gwendolyn venture I'll remind you that it was and is my business interest. As far as your lawyer, he became my lawyer with the reorganization. Instead of arguing with me, why not see the hotel as an excellent investment? At least look at the property before you reject it as a poor financial project.”

“Because I know this town. You don't. I know what will work and what won't. Have you done any research on assistant living facilities?”

“No.”

“If you had you would have found that most of them have private apartments for the residents.”

“Of course.”

“That means that after the cost of acquisition the Gwendolyn will have to be gutted and hotel rooms turned into apartments.”

“I don't see a problem.”

“Of course not. However, let me give you one problem that we would face immediately.”

“What's that?”

“When the Gwendolyn was built in 1928 the major concern was the safety of the guest staying there. The greatest fear was fire. As a result every room contains asbestos. That means that every room has to be scraped clean and even then has to pass inspection. How much do you think the removal will cost us?”

Joyce remained silent, but Edward saw the look of scorn on her face. A look that bothered him.

The next day as Denbre sat reading the newspaper Joyce walked into the room. “I'll be gone most of the morning. I'll be at the hairdressers and afterward I'll have lunch while I'm out.

Renata will do the grocery shopping. If there's anything in particular that you want, tell her and she'll pick it up for you.”

Thirty minutes Renata left. When she did Edward got up out of his chair and went to the master bedroom. There against one wall was a walnut desk. On the desk top with its lid closed was the blue, lap top computer that belonged to Joyce. Denbre took a seat and raised the lid. He pushed the start button and waited. As he did he reached into the top drawer and removed an address book. He didn't know what Joyce used as a password, but he knew that she used many for different websites she used for on line shopping. There was so many that she had to write them down. Hopefully he would come upon the one that would allow him to gain entrance to the information she had stored.

He turned page after page, trying word after word. Each time the word was rejected. Then he read, Aspiration. “This has to be it”, he thought to himself. Using the keyboard he entered the word and with one click of the mouse he saw the home page. He went to the history and recent tabs, clicked on that and got, history. He then sat reading each line that revealed what she had been doing on the laptop. He didn't find anything out of the ordinary. Most of the computer history dealt with web pages for on line shopping companies. He calmly put everything back in place hoping that Joyce wouldn't notice that anything had been touched or moved.

When Joyce returned she walked into the living room where Edward sat reading. He looked up from his book and said,

“Did you have a nice lunch?”

“Yes. It was a nice day so I decided to take a walk on the boardwalk. I treated myself to a pork roll and birch beer.”

“Sounds good. Anything else I should know about?”

“Not really, except I'm almost out of Valium. I'll have to call the pharmacy for a refill.”

“It seems to me that you're eating them like candy.”

“Don't be ridiculous. I only take them when necessary.”

“Didn't you order a new prescription with the doctor not too long ago?”

“For your information that was over a month ago.”

“I don't think so. It was more like two weeks ago.”

“You're crazy.”

“I might be, but I'm not hooked on pills.”

“No, you're hooked on baccarat. It's a shame that you don't know how to play.”

“I haven't played in weeks.”

“Look out for next week.”

“Just for that, I'm leaving. I'll be at Resorts. In fact I'll have dinner there.”

“Do both of us a favor.”

“What?”

“Look for a two dollar table.”

After Edward left Joyce changed clothes and went to her desk in the master bedroom. She activated her computer, check to see if she had any e-mail and finding none decided to play computer games.

Her game of solitaire was interrupted by the sound of the ringing telephone. “Hello?.” she said when she answered.

“Joyce, this is Doctor Phillips. I recently received a telephone call from your pharmacy. It seems that your prescription for Valium has run out. In checking your records I found that I gave you a new prescription two or three weeks ago. How many are you taking?”

“Only what you've instructed me to take and when. I hate to admit it doctor, but I'm certain that my husband is not only taking the Valium, but is showing signs of being addicted to them.”

“That's a shame. Nonetheless, he's not my patient. If I were you I'd speak to his physician. Anyway, I'll fax a new prescription for you to your pharmacy. I suggest that you either hide them or put them in a secure place where your husband can't get to them. Is there anything else you need?”

“No doctor, and thank you for calling.”

“You're welcome. Have a nice day.”

Joyce smiled as she placed the receiver on the telephone cradle.

At half past eight that evening Denbre unlocked the front door to his condo and entered. “Well, well. Here comes the master of the house. Tell me, how much did you lose?,” asked Joyce.

“Hey I was up two thousand at one point,” Edward replied.

“And, let me guess you gave it back.”

“I'll get it back next time.”

“Next time? That should be your first name. Next Time Denbre, that's you. It doesn’t matter what the game is you always lose and you'll get it back next time. You want to know something Edward? You're an asshole.”

“For the first time in this marriage I agree with you Joyce. I'm an asshole for marrying you. You know what I think? I think that your husband died of a heart attack because he wanted to get away from you.”

“There's the door!”

“In case you're forgetting, it's my door.”

“Was your door. Now asshole, it's our door and don't you forget it.”

“And giving you forty nine per cent of the business was a terrible mistake. You can bet your ass that I'll be talking to my lawyer in the morning.”

“Go ahead. What can you tell him?”

“I can tell him to file with the State of New Jersey a business entity dissolution, cancellation and withdrawal action.”

“You wouldn't dare.”

“No? You haven't produced those promised funds that you were going to contribute to the Denbre organization. Since you

haven't I'm under the opinion that the contract is either still open for negotiations or for that matter, void.”

“You son of a bitch! You wouldn't dare”.

“Watch me, and while I'm at it I'm also having him file for a divorce. You're nothing but a pain in the ass,” shouted Denbre as he stormed out of the room.

*******************

On a Saturday morning Edward Denbre poured himself a cup of coffee and placed the cup and saucer on the kitchen table. He then went to the front door to retrieve the morning newspaper. When he returned he found Joyce seated at the table.

“I'm having toast for breakfast. Do you want any?,” she asked.

“No, just coffee is fine. If I get hungry I'll have something later.

“Suit yourself.”

“Yeah, I will”, he said as he took another sip from the cup.

Joyce sat and watched him.

At eight twenty that morning Edward tried to get up from the table. His legs were weak. He was dizzy. Placing both hands on the kitchen table he tried to brace himself. “Joyce, I, I, I need help. Somethings wrong,” he said in almost a whisper.

Joyce got up and went to him. “Come Edward, let me help you. Lets' go to the bathroom. There I can place cold water on you, you feel feverish,” she said.

Denbre allowed Joyce to lead him to the master bathroom. Once there she closed the lid on the toilet and slowly lowered her husband, allowing him to sit. “There dear. Just sit there. Don't try to get up. I'll be right back. I have to get something.”

Edward attempted to nod his head in understanding but all that happened was that he lowered his chin on to his chest. He sat that way with his eyes closed. Ten minutes later he heard someone enter the bathroom. The sound of a liquid being poured came to him. Next came the sound of the door closing. His breathing once rapid now slowed as he inhaled chloroform fumes. As he slowly suffocated, Joyce sat at his computer typing his suicide letter. Before she did she changed the computer clock to six AM. She would change it back to the right time when she was finished.

After making sure that Edward was dead she called for an ambulance. Once inside the condominium master bathroom they found Denbre slumped on the toilet. Next to him in the bathtub was a blue, plastic bucket. Crime scene investigators determined that the bucket contained a mixture of Clorox and alcohol. The two liquids mixed together created chloroform. Edward sitting in a small. Closed room had died as a result of inhaling the fumes that were created.

Joyce sat in