Angela Agranoff - Sophia O'Malley 01 - Organized Blackmail Read Online Free Page A

This man who is claiming Michael’s estate still owes him and is demanding twenty million dollars. I do not have that amount of money to give.”
     
    “Eleanor, perhaps we should go to the police?”
     
    Eleanor shook her head no. “If this man speaks publicly, then those who own Michael’s paintings will question their value because of this unfortunate event. I don’t want to be the talk of the town, dragging Michael’s reputation and talents through the mud. My name, and my dear husband’s name, will be disgraced.”
     
    Sophia gently placed her left hand on Eleanor’s shoulder. “Eleanor, are you sure you want to sell the paintings in this room?  I don’t usually try to encourage clients to hold onto items they want to part with,” she pleaded. “However, these are your memories of your talented husband. They belong to you.”
     
    “Sophia dear, the paintings in this room belong to me in heart only. With that said, they are worth millions. Lionel Quinn is demanding twenty million dollars. I have no choice but to sell these paintings in order to silence his threats. I need you to organize this room, the paintings, and create an inventory sheet. Then turn it into an art gallery. I will allow a very private showing. The last painting of Michael’s sold over eighteen years ago. I’m certain I can sell these paintings and raise the money I need to make him go away.”
     
    “Eleanor, that’s very risky. What if you sell all the paintings and this man still makes demands of you.  This is wrong!” Sophia explained out of frustration.
     
    Eleanor shook her head. “I know the risk, dear. However, I do not have twenty million dollars to pay Lionel to remain silent. The question now is will you help me? Before you answer, I must confess one more secret to you.”
     
    “Okay.”
     
    “Sophia, dear, I’m dying. My heart is growing weaker and weaker. Dr. Lewis doesn’t think I’ll see another spring. I can’t die having my husband’s name disgraced. I need your help dear,” Eleanor confessed.
     
    Sophia felt her heart shatter. “Oh Eleanor! I’m so sorry.”
     
    Eleanor turned to face Sophia. “Dear, Michael and I never had children. I was unable to. But if I had had a daughter, my dream would have been she would have turned out like you. From the short time I have known you, you have grown deeply into my heart like a beautiful flower. Please, dear, take my hand and help me.”
     
    “Yes, okay,” Sophia nodded her head as tears began to fall from her eyes. Before she could wipe at her tears a thought struck her. “The man I saw outside, Eleanor, he wasn’t a grounds worker.”
     
    “Dear, many people come to work at my estate. I’m sure the man you saw was only a grounds worker. I am preparing the grounds for the Annual Garden Club meeting next week. I seriously doubt the man black mailing me would dare trespass onto my property.”
     
    “Don’t be so sure,” Sophia cautioned Eleanor. “Eleanor, perhaps this man wants the best of both worlds. Your money and the paintings.”
     
    “Oh my,” Eleanor frightened by Sophia’s words.  “I never considered that possibility. The letter was mailed from London. I assumed that’s where this man is now.”
     
    “He must know you have the paintings,” Sophia told Eleanor as her eyes looked through the dust and dance of the beautiful brush strokes that created magnificent paintings. “Eleanor, are the paintings in this room worth twenty million dollars?”
     
    “No dear…but very close. I would have to cover the final expense out of my own pocket,” Eleanor confessed.
     
    “This man must know that too,” Sophia whispered. Her eyes focused a painting of a lost woman standing beside a stormy seaside between the eyes of day and night, calling out to the sea to return her lost husband.
     
    Eleanor watched Sophia begin to pace. “What are you thinking, dear?”
     
    Feeling fear and anxiety stir in her, Sophia turned to Eleanor. “I