“Mr. Myers?”
“Yes,” the man responded, eyes brightening at the sound of his name.
“I’m so sorry,” she responded. “I didn’t recognize you. My father worked with your account for so many years that I was expecting a much older man. You seem to be scarcely older than I am.” He smiled graciously.
“Like you, I picked up my father’s business when he retired. We share the same name, which makes some things simpler, but others more complicated. That is why I use your family’s services. Unmatched expertise combined with proven discretion.” The woman smiled.
“Hopefully Finnegan Legal Services will continue to live up to your exacting standards. Your father, Percival, developed an outstanding working relationship with my father, Charles. I would like to do the same with you.” She narrowed her eyes. “I find that the most important factor to be found in a productive business relationship is honesty. I cannot protect your interests if I’m not sure what they are.”
“Of course.”
“Looking through your account, I see that you have an extensive multinational stock portfolio which includes controlling interests in shipping, manufacturing, and technological companies. You own real estate in every region where it is possible to do so. In these properties, and in various museums, you have an extensive collection of art and other cultural relics. Out of all of your possessions, which do you personally consider the most valuable, irrespective of its market value?” Myers smiled broadly.
“We’ve only just met and already you’re asking me about my personal ‘Rosebud?’”
“Are you uncomfortable with that?”
“Not at all, Margaret. I’m quite impressed at your ability to cut directly to the chase.” He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his collar button and the one below it. He fished something out that was hanging from a piece of twine around his neck and laid it on top of the tie’s knot so that she could see it clearly. “This is the most valuable thing I own.”
It was a small wooden cross with a hole drilled through the top to accommodate the string. It had no further embellishments but the patina that comes from wearing something constantly.
“Why is it valuable?” Margaret asked. “Does it remind you of a significant person or event from your life?” Myers exhaled as he nodded.
“It reminds me of someone I crossed paths with briefly. And my mother.”
“She died when you were young?”
“My entire family grew sick and died. I was the only survivor.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“Are you asking if I had survivor’s guilt? No. I think it was entirely a matter of chance. Do you know that there are genes in the human body that cause the aging process and allow illness to take hold? There are very few people born in this world who do not have these genes, but not zero.”
“That explains the photographs and paintings of the same man and falsified birth and death certificates.”
“Yes. I am the unicorn.”
