Kendall opened the letter with trembling fingers.
Dear Mrs. Renaud,
My Swiss banker informs me that he has not yet received the million dollars that my association requested. In view of your delinquency, I must inform you that our needs have been increased to 5 million dollars. If this payment is made, I promise we will not bother you again. You have fifteen days to deposit the money in our account. If you fail to do so, I regret that we shall have to communicate with the appropriate authorities.
It was unsigned.
Kendall stood there in a panic, reading it over and over, again and again. Five million dollars! It’s impossible, she thought. I can never raise that kind of money that quickly. What a fool I was!
When Marc came home that night, Kendall showed him the letter.
“Five million dollars!” he exploded. “That’s ridiculous! Who do they think you are?”
“They know who I am,” Kendall said. “That’s the problem. I’ve got to get hold of some money quickly. But how?”
“I don’t know…I suppose a bank would loan you money against your inheritance, but I don’t like the idea of…”
“Marc, it’s my life I’m talking about. Our lives. I’m going to see about getting that loan.”
George Meriwether was the vice president in charge of the New York Union Bank. He was in his forties and had worked his way up from a junior teller. He was an ambitious man. One day I’ll be on the board of directors, he thought, and after that…who knows? His thoughts were interrupted by his secretary.
“Miss Kendall Stanford is here to see you.”
He felt a small frisson of pleasure. She had been a good customer as a successful designer, but now she was one of the wealthiest women in the world. He had tried for several years to get Harry Stanford’s account, without success. And now…
“Show her in,” Meriwether told his secretary.
When Kendall walked into his office, Meriwether rose and greeted her with a smile and a warm handshake.
“I’m so pleased to see you,” he said. “Do sit down. Some coffee or something stronger?”
“No, thanks,” Kendall said.
“I want to offer my condolences on the death of your father.” His voice was suitably grave.
“Thank you.”
“What can I do for you?” He knew what she was going to say. She was going to turn her billions over to him to invest…
“I want to borrow some money.”
He blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“I need five million dollars.”
He thought rapidly. According to the newspapers, her share of the estate should be more than a billion dollars. Even with taxes…He smiled. “Well, I don’t think there will be any problem. You’ve always been one of our favorite customers, you know. What security would you like to put up?”
“I’m an heir in my father’s will.”
He nodded. “Yes. I read that.”
“I’d like to borrow the money against my share of the estate.”
“I see. Has your father’s will been probated yet?”
“No, but it will be soon.”
“That’s fine.” He leaned forward. “Of course, we’d have to see a copy of the will.”
“Yes,” Kendall said eagerly. “I can arrange that.”
“And we would have to know the exact amount of your share of the inheritance.”
“I don’t know the exact amount,” Kendall said.
“Well, the banking laws are quite strict, you know. Probates can take some time. Why don’t you come back after the probate, and I’ll be happy to…”
“I need the money now,” Kendall said desperately. She wanted to scream.
“Oh, dear. Naturally, we want to do everything we can to accommodate you.” He raised his hands in a helpless gesture. “But unfortunately, our hands are tied until—”
Kendall rose to her feet. “Thank you.”
“As soon as…”
She was gone.
When Kendall returned to the office, Nadine said excitedly, “I have to talk to you.”
She was in no mood to hear Nadine’s problems.
“What is it?” Kendall asked.
“My husband called me a few minutes ago. His company is transferring him to Paris. So, I’ll be leaving.”
“You’re go…going to Paris?”
Nadine beamed. “Yes! Isn’t that wonderful? I’ll be sorry to leave you. But don’t worry. I’ll stay in touch.”