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Chapter 126 — Old Demon
For a wonder Gina agreed to CC's terms about Brandon's custody. May be she's branded with Mason's words about Charlie — she did not want that other CC's son would take over Brandon's place. One way or another but Brandon did moved into Capwell's house in the same day.
Mason left Mary and the children in Capwells' house and have drove to his former school. He did not explain anything to anybody, just got in the car and drove off. He did not really understand for why. He cannot come back in past years.
"And I would not mind," boy's voice suddenly said and Mason jerked. In the rearview mirror he saw his youngest brother.
"Dam, how are you ending up here?"
"Hid in the back seat," Charlie innocently replied.
"Why?"
"I understand what you are going to the interesting place. You told no one where."
"How did you manage to escape from Rosa?"
"It's easy. So where are we going?"
"You'll see," Mason snapped grimly.
He stopped at the first gas station, locked his little bro in the car and called to his father's house. Of course, Charlie was missed here. Mason reassured Rosa that he will bring him back and then hung up. He did not want to change plans because this sneaky baby--
He sighed and returned to the car.
"Where are we going?" Charlie enthusiastically repeated his question.
"To my first boarding school."
"Cool!" the younger brother exclaimed. "Do you want to look for a jewel?"
"You could say," Mason chuckled. "A jewel of my memory."
Charlie did not ask for anything more, just quietly humming something under radio music at the back seat.
It took about an hour. However when they finally arrived at the place Mason saw the picture is not what he expected to see. In place of the school building was black ruins.
"Ugh, how disgusting," Charlie frowned getting out of the car. "Is it the same horrible school?"
His voice sounded genuine disappointment. However Mason felt almost the same.
"Get back in the car," he ordered to his younger brother and went to the blackened frame.
Charlie even did not think to obey and Mason had to firmly grip his hand. He looked around the former The Great Valley School. Raged fire left a little of it. The roof was completely burned, the attic floor had walls only, and the second floor was badly damaged too. The last thing the fire touched was the ground floor with dormitory. Mason eyed the window his class's bedroom and then looked up to the second floor. Something did not shape well.
Charlie followed his gaze.
"Did you live here?" he asked curiously.
Mason absently nodded, not taking his eyes off half-burnt building. What cling to his mind?
"Get out of here," they suddenly heard the sharp raspy voice and turned around. The old man quickly walks to them. Apparently it's caretaker.
"Hello, I'm Mason Capwell," Mason went to meet him.
"Yes, I do not care who you are," the man rudely growled. "You have no right to be here. This is a private area."
"And who is your boss?" Mason asked.
"It does not concern you."
It seems that the old man did not read newspapers.
"Well, we just leave. Just tell me when was the fire? I do not think that it is confidential information."
"A year ago there was. And go away now."
"Wait a minute. It appears that you have been guarding the area?"
"Since you even went on foot under the table, Mister."
Mason struggled to revive his memory. Maybe they finally were lucky? Suddenly in his mind like something clicked.
"Old Demon," he said suddenly. "Everyone calls you Old Damon."
"How do you know?" the man suspiciously looked at him. "Who are you?"
"I once went to this school," Mason pointed to the ruins. "I studied in the same year when was the accident with Colin Stewart."
The old man thoughtfully eyed Mason.
"My memory already is not what was earlier but your face seems familiar to me. You were Stewart's buddy, were you?"
"Yes, we were friends before he had the accident."
"Exactly! So both of yours I pull off the tree near the library."
"And twice caught after bed-check in the attic," Mason could not help smiling.
"Yes, lo... So I remember something else. And who did you become the guy? You were definitely smarty boy."
"I became the lawyer," Mason said desperately wondering how to ask the old man without opening him the whole story. He suddenly was helped by Charlie.
"And why you were named Old Demon?" the boy boldly asked.
The old man was not offended but laughed revealing the yellow crooked teeth.
"My name is Henry Damon so boys gave me this nickname."
"Mr. Damon if we could talk somewhere? It would be very important if you tell what you remember about the accident."
"Why?" he puzzled asked.
"Colin said that Mason wanted to kill him!" Charlie angriness butted.
Mason pulled her brother's arm but boy continued: "What is it Mason's friend! He let everyone think that Mason steal the thing!"
"Steal?" Old Demon suddenly frowned.
"Yeah, there was disappeared the antique desk set and Colin said that he saw that I had it in hands leaving the staff room. Unfortunately I can not prove that I even never seen this thing."
"Well maybe it actually does not prove, but I aware who stole it," Mr. Damon suddenly said.
"Do you know?" escapes from Mason. "But how?"
"I saw how he carried it out of the room. I thought that he is charged for. When it happened I was not in the school, I drove to the city. Returning I found out about the accident... and I feel sorry the poor fellow and said the truth no one. Indeed in the very next day the value was found."
"Who is he? Who are you talking about?" Mason could not resist.
"What you mean? Of course I'm talking about Colin Stewart."
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