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Chapter 121 — Colin Stewart — Part 1
"What you going to do?" Sophia asked and anxiously looked at Mason.
"About Charlie?"
"No, I'm talking about the accusations of your friend."
"He's not my friend anymore."
"And after all?"
"I guess I have a little I can do now. May be just go and talk to him privately--"
"Talk to whom?" Mary joined them and Mason hugged her shoulders. "Your father is going to gather everybody for the family dinner."
"We talked about Colin Stuart," Sophia explained. "Mason wants to talk to him."
"Are you sure that it would be safe for you?" Mary sat down beside him and takes Mickey. The baby is fussing.
"Not sure, but the situation is so strange that you can take the risk. If I could convince Colin that he is wrong about me--"
"I doubt that it is possible," Mary shook her head.
"But worth a try. And the sooner the better," Mason got up.
"Do you want to go to him right now?" Sophia was surprised.
"You may miss the family dinner in honor of Charlie," Mary added.
"It is unlikely that my conversation with Mr. Stewart will be continued for a long time," Mason said. "So I'll not miss the dinner even if my father has these hopes."
Mary gave Mickey to Sophia and caught up with Mason at the entrance of the gazebo.
"Maybe we'd better go together?"
"No, of course. I and Colin would have a man-to-man talk," he kissed her cheek. "Do not worry about me."
"Be careful," Mary clung to him.
"Sure I'll," Mason reluctantly let her out and walked through the garden to his car.
"I do not like all of it," Sophia followed him with her gaze and then looked back at Mary.
"Me too," Mary shivered. "And there are really more — I do not like the fact that here involved the man who had once kidnapped Mason."
"What? Do you aware who did it?"
"Yes. But everything is very difficult--"
* * *
Mason spend a few minutes and couple of calls to found out the address of his ex-classmate. He has lived in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Mason was also reported with some information about Colin Stuart. Driving up to the gate of the vast estate Mason tried to summarize the information. Colin became the writer of documentary, the author of two books on the history of Southern California and a few months ago he received the award for his contribution to the study of national culture. He did lives with his wife and two children in his own home. And generously funds research to treat spinal injuries.
Mason said his full name to the guard and after a few minutes the gates is opened. Okay, so Colin doesn't mind his visit.
The female maid met Mason at the door and said that "Mr. Stewart waits you in his office." Mason wonder about.
He was led through the long corridors in the remote part of the house. Mason involuntarily noticed the absolute silence in the house. And the absolute void. No sign of life.
Finally he was led to one of the doors of mahogany. The maid knocked and Mason heard the pleasant baritone:
"Come in."
"Mr. Colin, here is Mason Capwell," the maid said and left out.
Mason pushed the door and stepped into the room.
* * *
"... He said that Mark was his older brother, but I do not believe him. He's talking about events that should happen just before my eyes. I would know whether all this is true."
"It is strange that Mason did not report to police."
"Mason believes that he is Mark's brother and felt that it touches me too much."
"But why did you decide that this Corey has to do with Colin Stewart?" Sophia asked. She and Mary are discussing the situation for around an hour.
"He told us that "he knows all about The Great Valley". Mason said that he has not had a chance to learn the story without Stewart. And I'm with him agrees."
"I got a lot on my mind," Sophia admitted after the pause. "What could be more common between these two men?"
"A desire to take revenge?" Mary suggested. "McLean obviously hates Mason."
"And in this case he is mistaken about his relating to Mark?"
"Apparently, yes. He seems quite sincere in his accusations... But it seems to me that Stewart is more dangerous then McLean. Do you remember him, Sophia?"
"A little," she nodded her head. "I and CC visited Mason in the school before the accident for several times. He was the friend of Mason, the cheerful smart boy. I thought he and Mason got along well. And I was quite shocked the next event. These wild accusations... and the fact of the accident, of course. All of it seemed me a sort of nightmare."
* * *
Colin Stewart's study would be normal if not its strange elongated shape. Like a wide corridor it suddenly ended with the massive desk behind sat the man.
Mason mentally noted the situation — it was obviously must trying to press the newcomer to get him to feel subordinate. Well, he was ready.
He calmly walked over the carpet and sat in the chair that stood to the right of the table. Leaned back and looked at his former playmate.
Colin looked at him back, and Mason surprise realizing that Colin looks like a stranger to him. He was only a little like the boy who he remembered.
"Glad to see you, Mason," said Colin. "We're met for a long time."
"Twenty years passed."
"Yes, I know. But if it is the reason to break up with friends?"
It seems that Colin kept some kind of game depicting the meeting of old friends. Mason knew this and not wants to obey the rules.
"I do not quite understand you."
"It's strange. I thought that once we were friends. Do not you agree?"
"I guess we could postpone a discussion about our childish relationships."
Colin looked at him and shrugged.
"Why did you come?" He asked in unexpectedly harsh tone.
"I want to know how I suppose be related to your old injury as you obviously is thinking. And I want to hear about innuendos that you're going inspire about me in the media."
"How much expression!"
Mason remained silent waiting for his answer. Colin strangely gestured and driving from the table in his wheelchair. Driving around the table and stopped in front of Mason's chair.
After pausing he said: "Well, what do you think?"
"About what?" Mason leaned his elbows on the armrests and brought his fingers together.
"About my disability."
"I'm sorry for it," Mason accented calmly replied. First time in the eyes of Colin's flashed some feeling — it was the rage.
"The unusual reaction for the person who caused it."
"I already knew that's what you think."
"You know," Colin slowly said. "I waited for this moment for a long time."
"Why? You could call me. I would come to see my old friend," Mason sarcastically said.
But Colin did not pay attention to his words.
"I wanted to understand what can feel the person who tried to kill me. I wanted to look into his eyes and asked whether he suffers nightmares about it."
"Well, here I'm not able to help you. I have no idea what can feels a person in this situation."
"Mason, this is stupid," he throws up his hands like a woman. "We both aware that you are make up my fall. Although I could never understand why. I've never been your enemy."
"You are mistaken that's all I can say about it. It was the accident."
"Come on, Mason. I aware that while I was in the hospital between life and death you're going the therapist to get rid of the feeling guilt."
Mason hardly restrained the mask indifferent expression. How in the world did he found out?
He said nothing, but Colin continued:
"You can not deny it, you know. I even have records of your conversations."
"You're bluffing," Mason straightened in his chair. "Or someone brought you into mistake." He paused. "I would like to ask you one question."
"I listen," he eagerly looked at Mason's face.
"Why did you start to dig up this story just now? Twenty years you're not worried, you made the great career, married... and now suddenly become hate me."
Colin's palms instinctively clenched into fists, betray his raging emotions. He returned to the table, pulled out the piece of paper from the drawer and handed it to Mason.
"Here's why."
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