Humphrey's condition was diagnosed as a mini stroke, exacerbated by the blow to his head in the boat crash. Scans indicated his previous hospital visit was likely another mini stroke and his blood pressure was far too high so he was confined in hospital and placed on medication and a healthier diet.

Percy on the other hand wore his minor wound like medal and brandished it about the hospital room, demanding immediate action for the attempted assassination.

"I think that's a bit of a reach, Mr. Rudman," the doctor smiled condescendingly.

"A reach! You want to see reach, Doctor? Do you know who I am?"

"I do." The police captain announced, striding into the room and dismissing the medical staff with a brief wave. "So let's just tone it down and tell me about the sale of this villa everyone is so interested in."

The uniform insignia registered with Percy and he frowned, slumping back on the edge of his bed.

I have statements from the Pattons, Miss Constance Riaz and the management of Blue Shoals. Now I would like to hear your version of events . . . and please keep the rhetoric to a minimum."

"What did they say, what about Borden?"

"Your version, Mr. Rudman!" The statement came out like a nail gun and Percy actually flinched.

After thirty minutes and a few course corrections, Percy told his side and the captain closed his folder and sighed, looking at the man whose greed had begun the entire escapade. From here it would be a matter for the courts and insurance companies once his report was filed. "Accommodation has been arranged at Blue Shoals or the villa in question, an option I think rather generous in the circumstances."

"I'm a member of the board in case you weren't aware."

"Yes . . . well I'll have a constable drive you back. You can make your arrangements there."

********

"This is outrageous! I'm a board member, I have shares here!"

"I believe that you do, Percy, and now you're sharing with me."

"Smug little bastard. This is all your fault."

Mathew's eyebrows shot up and his head rocked back. "My fault! You were the one shtupping my wife so you could get your hands on our villa. You're the one that kicked me out of a job to hasten that end. You're the one that hired that thug that shot at me--"

"What? Shot at you? I'm the one he shot at."

"You are pathetic, Percy. No wonder your company initials spell PRIC. Riddler shot a hole through my windshield when I burned the divorce papers and made a run for it."

"I didn't-- I wasn't aware . . . he's Borden's thug. I never hired him."

'Oh, sorry. Imagine my embarrassment. I guess Humphrey's the next redundancy then, eh?"

Percy clamped his mouth shut and moved to the room bar, fumbling with one hand to open a bottle and pour himself a drink.

"A little help would be nice."

"I'll bet." Mathew ignored his struggles.

"You're a bastard, Patton."

"So you said."

Percy spilled more than he managed to get in the glass, swore and flopped down on the small end of a sectional sofa.

"When Humphrey gets those papers filed you are going to be right out of bloody luck. You know that don't you?"

"You and your greedy little retinue can file all the bloody papers you want. I will never sign and if there is no way around that then I will move into the villa and live there. Lillian can have everything else . . . and that I will sign, but you will never get this property and your expansion project will have to go around me."

"You can't-- Lillian owns it too!"

"I have the deed right here, Percy and her name appears nowhere on it. I'm surprised you forgot that since you sold it to us in the first place. Something else you should know, this is where the sale was made and it is not a community jurisdiction so she is entitled to squat."

"We'll see . . . we'll just see." Percy stared uncertainly at his drink.

********

Lillian sat quietly on her favourite lounge chair, tears trickling from her eyes as she coveted her surroundings and the post card view from the balcony. She huffed regretfully as images of she and Mathew invaded her thoughts. Percy had slipped behind her defences and stirred all the latent feelings that had slept for so long.

He made her feel desirable again; young, witty, beautiful, and he held out the promise of position and wealth. She sniffed and dabbed at her nose with a tissue. His light had dimmed immeasurably with the recent events and a sad doubt coated her heart.

"It isn't going to work is it? Borden isn't going to be able to stop Patton from selling this place is he?"

"I don't know, Rodney. I don't know what's going to happen anymore." Constance glanced at Lillian and felt a small lump in her throat.

"He won't, he's in hospital and you can bet her divorce is not top of mind."

"I feel sorry for her, you know?"

"Feel sorrier for that husband of hers because I'm gonna squeeze him dry."

"Why, you can collect more than enough for your boat plus a law suit against Rudman for assault?"

"I told you before, I shot him. No insurance company is going to let that slide. besides, it'll just be another long drawn out legal mish mash. No, I'm getting mine from Patton."

"How? Rodney don't do something stupid."

His expression frightened her and his threat for her to mind her business was like a slap in the face. She realized then that she had never known the real Rodney Riddler.

********

Mathew stood in the dark staring across the sea at the tiny, twinkling fairy lights on a passing cruise ship. The night around the resort had embraced it like a black cloak with only a few lamps for the safety of any guests wandering the property. He checked his watch and made a grumpy sound; three-thirty and here he was up and awake, his future as impenetrable as the night outside.

After the captain had dropped him off, Mathew had visited a few of the local watering holes. He realized that for as long as he and Lillian had been coming down they had rarely visited the town and Mathew had never been in any of the bars and after a few short visits he found that he wasn't impressed with the offerings or the surroundings.

Percy was using his time to rebuild his image with the board and had not returned to their shared suite except once to change for dinner. They hadn't spoken -- barely even acknowledged one another. The click of the door latch made him stiffen and he paused his breath waiting for a light to flash on.

After a few beats Mathew turned around and saw the figure of Rodney leaning against the door, watching him.

"What do you want?" The snappish question betrayed his nervousness.

"I'll assume that was rhetorical, Patton." He moved from the door into the room and Mathew saw the glint of a knife blade.

"Not your cash share again, Jesus, Riddler. Did you see me get a deal done here?" Mathew lifted his hands and turned back toward the window. "We're under what amounts to house arrest until that stupid boat business and you shooting Percy gets settled."

"Nobody saw me come here so I guess they aren't too concerned."

"Fine. What are you going to now, kill me with that thing? That'll get you a lot of money won't it."

"I don't have to kill you, Patton. I've got your lovely wife staying right in your villa with me. Tell me you don't care what happens to her."

"Are you nuts? We're on an island for Christ's sake! What the hell do you think you can do and get away with?"

Rodney's teeth appeared for a second in menacing smile. "Watch me." He stepped a little closer and Mathew braced himself. "You had better find a quick way to get my money or your wife will live to regret it."

Mathew raised a fist in anger and started to return the threat but the blow to his jaw sent him sprawling on the hard tile floor, sliding with his back against the wall. It was several minutes before he could begin struggling to stand. His equilibrium was all out of whack and he stumbled against the glass, clutching his jaw.

Police. He needed to call the police. He steadied himself and made his way to the phone. Nothing. No dial tone. Mathew moved as fast as he could out of the room and down to the lobby. The switchboard behind the service desk was dark, no lights glowing anywhere. He left the lobby and headed up from the office to the road.