Chapter 73

Tank
I was glad we didn’t have plans for the day because getting out of the police station was harder than I thought it would be. Once word got out that Songbird was there Lilly was swarmed by eager fans wanting to talk to her or get an autograph. I kept a close eye on her but stayed back letting her enjoy her moment.Bradford and the D.A. were standing beside me. Bradford looks at his officers then to me. “ You want to explain while my officers are acting like a bunch of crazed groupies to your girlfriend?” I don’t get a chance to answer because the D.A. does it for me. “ You don’t get out much do you? Or listen to the radio or read the local paper?” Marshall says laughing. He points to Lilly “ That little lady is a local celebrity. Anyone who hasn’t heard of her and her band before yesterday sure knows about them now.” Bradford looks lost. Has he been hiding in a cave somewhere. To put him out of his misery I pull up the latest video of Lilly’s concert and hand my phone to him.

He looks at my phone then to Lilly. He goes back and forth several times before he hands the phone back to me. He points to Lilly and says “ That was Lilly?” He is clearly shocked. Marshall pats Bradford on the back “ Don’t worry about it. I’m guessing anyone who sees her for the first time is shocked.” I say “ I know I was. And so was the club.” Suddenly I hear a squeal and Lilly turns to us “ Deputy Bradford I just had a great idea. Could I borrow two or three of your officers on a Thursday night? Say in about a week, maybe two. Depending on how fast I can pull it together..” “ Do you want to hire some security?” Bradford asks. Lilly blushes and shakes her head. What is she up to? “ No. I want to include them in two of my performances. I will need them in uniform.” she says. Then I see her face. She is giving him her puppy eyes and slight pout. The same look that suckers me everytime I see it.I shake my head and whisper to him “ Good luck telling her no with that look she is giving you. I haven’t been able to do it.” “ But she isn’t my girlfriend. I can easily tell her no.” Bradford says before taking a good look at Lilly. Yea right I say in my head.

“ Miss Lilly. I don’t.” Bradford starts to say before Lilly lays it on thick. Whatever the idea is, she really wants to do it. I can see it in his face, he is going to cave. He runs a hand down his face. “ Fine. You can have a few of my officers.” Lilly jumps and squeals in excitement. “ Thank you.” she says before turning back to the group she was talking to. “ I need some volunteers. I need at least two guys for one song. And the other can be a mix. As I said, I need you in uniform.” Knight is the first to volunteer. Within one minute Lilly has all the people she needs. Then she asks “ Anybody know where I can get a few firemen, paramedics and maybe a few people from the military.” Before anyone answers I say “ Sweetheart, I’m not sure what you are doing but Merigold does work with our local V.A. I’m sure she can help you.” Lilly nods her head. A lady cop says “ I think we can help with the rest.” Lilly smiles “ Perfect.” I give the cops the address they need to meet Lilly at later this week and we finally leave.

I would normally be upset about something that would take extra time that would take Lilly away from me but this time it works out perfectly for me. I have a surprise I am planning for Lilly that will happen on Thursday before her concert. With her distracted I can make sure everything is in place without it looking like I am sneaking around. And for this surprise I have had to pull in a lot of help to get it done in time.

Monday morning
I was able to get Lilly an appointment with McMasters to see if that bastard Constantine was lying. So that is where we are. We just sat down in McMasters office. McMasters sits behind his desk and asks “ So what can I do for the both of you?” Now that we are sitting here about to get some answers Lilly looks uneasy. “ Tank, maybe this wasn’t a good idea. He was probably lying. I am just wasting Mr. McMasters time.” Lilly looks at McMasters and says “ I sorry sir.” stands up and starts to walk to the door. When Mcmasters says “ Is this regarding your parents Will?” Lilly freezes midstep. “ Please have a seat and I’ll explain everything.” Lilly returns to her seat and asks “ You know who I am?”

McMasters smiles “ Yes, I know who you are, Lilly. Or should I say Songbird. I know a lot about you. The good and the bad. I was your father’s lawyer and friend. I know you must have questions but let me explain everything first then you can ask. I’m guessing Constatine finally told you about the money you are to inherit.” Lilly nods but doesn’t say anything. I hold her hand for support. I get the feeling after hearing the story that she was going to need it. “ Your father was a very wealthy man, that is true. It is also true that he didn’t live his life like it. Growing up he saw what money could do to people, for example Constantine. He didn’t want to live his life like that. He wanted to earn what he got and chose to live a humble life. He wanted the same for you.He didn’t want to make the same mistakes his parents did with Constatine.”

Lilly nods like she understands and McMasters continues. “ Lilly, have you ever heard of Rencorp?” Lilly shakes her head no. But I have. Everyone has. They own half this town plus several hotels, restaurants and numerous other things that I can’t remember. McMasters looks at me “ I see you have heard of them.” I nod and say “ Yea, I have but what has that got to do with Lilly?” McMasters pulls out a folder as thick as a book. “ Since the passing of her father and with Constatine being written out of the Will and basically disowned, Lilly is now the sole heir of Rencorp.Or will be when she turns twenty -one.” If I hadn’t been sitting I know I would have fallen on my ass. I know my jaw has dropped to the floor. “ Are you fucking kidding me?” I practically shout, causing Lilly and Harley to jump. “ Sorry, sweetheart.” I say pulling her to me. I pat Harley on the head.

“ I still don’t understand.” Lilly says. My poor girl has know idea what just happened. McMasters explains “ Lilly, your grandparents started Rencorp many years ago. And passed it down to your father. With good management and precautions in place Rencorp is still running today. From the last figures I got, Rencorp is now worth about one hundred and fifty million dollars. And it all will belong to you. And now that you are over eighteen the monthly allowance that was used to take care of you now belongs to you. I have all the paperwork with the banking information. Once you turned eighteen the bank account was closed to Constatine. He was no longer allowed to use it. I had all the cards changed and blocked his access. So it is all yours.”

I look at Lilly. The poor thing looks like she is going to pass out. Hell I feel the same way but am holding it together better. McMasters sees what I see and says. “ I know this is a lot to digest. And you have time to take it all in. I have all the paperwork you need when you want to look it over. You don’t get made heiress until your twenty-first birthday. When that happens I will be by your side to help you every step of the way. And from the look Tank is giving you I suspect so will he. For now just take it in. Call me with any questions. I encourage you to do research on the company. But I want to give you this bank card and pin number. Go have that changed. Each month money will be put into the account for you to use however you want.”

McMasters hands the card and bank information to me. I will help Lilly go over it. I know we have a lot to talk about but at least we have the answers we were looking for. Just not what either of us expected. The next stop is the bank to get that taken care of. Then I’m taking my girl how to relax. This week has already been stressful for her and it just started. We don’t need any more surprises.