For the next two days, Albert took to his Anderson file with a vengeance. Now he had the full file, being told where to find it by Mr Anderson, he could see where a full network of people in Germany, Austria-Hungary and Constantinople were being funded by the Foreign Office. Spies? Well, as Anderson said, not really, just passing confidential financial and business information, rumours, and the like, was it spying though?
The telephone rang, disturbing his concentration. "Yes," he said, knowing it was Miss Wilson at the other end.
"Miss Winifred, Mr Albert."
"Ah, put her through, if you would please, Miss Wilson."
"Yes sir."
Albert heard the click and another, "Hello Winnie," he said.
"Good afternoon Albert, How are you?" The conversation drifted to common banalities, like how was the baby, and have you heard from Mother, and the like. Winnie took a breath and said, "Speaking of which, I would like to talk to you, this evening if I may."
"Certainly, that would be good," Albert replied, "What time suits you?"
"Well, that might be a problem," Winnie told him, "I'm at the Hospital until ten pm., and that is if there is no emergency that comes in late."
"Ah, Yes," Albert hesitated, "Well, if it's important, then yes that will have to be suitable then."
"It is important, otherwise I wouldn't bother you. I am going to need some legal advice, I'm afraid. Without Robert-"
"Oh? Whatever it is, you can tell me."
"Seems Robert has gotten himself into a cinema battle, something about coloured moving images, or some such. I don't understand the details, but it has gone from being a certain win to a potential catastrophic loss."
"Well that happens, and yes, I have heard of the case, gossip mainly."
"I just want to make sure that Father's endowment for both myself and Roberta is not going to be affected. After all, as his spouse, I may be liable for his debts, if it all turns sour."
"Ah, I see," Albert replied, "I have a copy of all the documentation concerning Father's will, it still has to go through Probate of course, and as both the executor of the will, and the Solicitor engaged by Riley and Co to look after Father's estate, I'll be able to answer any questions. I'll look at the paper work, this afternoon. If you can drop by on your way home, I'll let you know, definitely. And, by the way, as you are a beneficiary, all such discussions are completely confidential."
"Oh, thank you Albert," Winnie said, with an obvious relief, "If I can't make it this evening, then tomorrow evening?"
"That's fine, Winnie. I'll have a kettle on for when you get here. Would you want something to eat?"
"Thank you, but tea would be just perfect."
"You know the private entrance? Ring the bell and I'll come down and let you in." Knowing he had given a key to his sister, but a comment made just in case.
"Yes, I remember, and I recall there is not just a street lamp on the corner of the lane, but there is also light over the doorway."
"I'll leave it on for you, call me on the direct number when you are leaving the Hospital."
They said their goodbyes and hung up. A few seconds later, Albert listen for any additional clicks that indicated Miss Wilson was eavesdropping. Anderson had told him about this trick, and sure enough, two additional clicks came from the phone. Albert knew Miss Wilson was listening in. He didn't want to let her know that he knew, so he waited a few more seconds, picked up the phone and dialled her desk number.
"Yes, Mr Albert."
"Miss Wilson, I have a job for you. Can you please bring me all of the documentation connected to my Father's will and I have another task which I will inform you of when you come in."
"Certainly, Mr Albert, right away."
"Thank you," he hung up. He quickly took the Anderson file off his desk and put it into a drawer, opening a file from his in-tray. A few moment later, Miss Wilson came in carrying the thick folder he asked for.
"Thank you Miss Wilson," he said, "Now the other task. There is a legal proceeding involving cinema, or more precisely the use of coloured film in the cinema. Would you please contact Mr Harris' office and ask him to do a quick analysis and deliver it this afternoon." Miss Wilson nodded and "Thank you Miss Wilson, but impress upon Mr Harris I will need it before the end of the day."
"Certainly sir. Consider it done." That should satisfy her curiosity, and for Winnie to think of that story, was just amazing.
Alfred, did however, run his eye over the will documentation, just in case, and would look at what Harris had found. Father's last will and testament was very straightforward. A lot of his money went into a foundation he created for just this purpose. Inheritance taxes were climbing, so in a very prudent way, Father passed ownership of most things to this foundation he had set up. He never owned Mother's estate, although he could have claimed it under the property ownership laws that existed at the time they were married. Mother has passed the title of the estate into this foundation as well, and as his Father's heir, Alfred held the major voting stock, along with Mother and Winnie. Father was actually surprisingly modern. Albert never knew he was a donor to the Suffrage Movement, supporting the idea that women could vote, to make their own decisions. He never showed that at home, but seems he thought women could, and should, take a place at the table.
Mother and Father gifted Winnie her house, as a wedding present, but it was Winnie's alone, not in joint names. Winnie also received an annual benefit from this foundation of several thousand pounds, on which she had to pay tax. It also meant she didn't have to continue her studies as a doctor, but nothing was going to interrupt that, not even the birth of Roberta. Robert didn't like it, but as Winnie had said, it's her decision, not his. As this was the case, Winnie's right to own property and have an independent income, even employment was unchallenged. That was the key, independent as guaranteed under the 1888 and 1908 amendments to the Married Women's Property Act of 1870.
The file given him by Harris described an action taken against the Natural Colour Kenematograph Company. Robert was both an investor and solicitor for the Company, hence his personal liability if the case against the company was successful. That won't affect Winnie or her home. Glancing at the clock, it was now after ten pm, Winnie should be here at any moment, if she caught a cab.
He made his way down to the private entrance of the building, turning the lights on, to make sure Winnie could see her way from the short lane on the side of the office building. Re-reading the file from Harris, he was interrupted by the chiming of the entry door bell, He moved to the head of the stairs and heard Winnie climbing. She came into view, her hat obscuring her face. Albert held a hand out for her, which she took and he pulled her into his arms.
He kissed her, passionately. He held her as she kissed him back, pressing herself onto his body. "That is the sort of kiss i would like to have every day," she said as they broke apart.
"Tea's ready, if you would like a cup."
"Oh later, fuck first."
"Oh Winnie, such vulgarity is really not becoming of you," Albert laughed.
"I really don't care, Alfred, I want more of what I had on Monday," she cooed, "And I have ordered the cab back in two hours, so we don't have that much time."
Albert laughed, "I'm glad my efforts are appreciated, and I too want more of you, Come." Albert took her hand and led her to the bedroom.
