Path of the Vampire forum

Vivian picked up her journal and began to write.

• At this age of 68 years, one would think I should be able to look back on my life and take pride in the accomplishments that I hand in, in part or in whole, yet I find it completely devoid of any such accomplishments.
  
  Many would look at their children and grand children with pride and say to themselves, 'look at the fine offspring I have given the world'. I cannot do this. My children and grandchildren are weak, selfish, entitled, mewling sycophants that should be eradicated for the good of mankind. Were I a stronger woman, I would kill them myself. But I selfishly have no wish to spend what little time I have left on this earth, behind bars. I have grown too fond of my freedom.

She paused as her mind drifted back over the memories of the last few days...

===============
London, England
February, 2015
===============

Even though her back was turned, Vivian knew the maid had entered the room. Lizette’s halting steps gave her away. “Yes Lizette, what is it?” her tone was tired with a hint of impatience.

“Mister William is here, ma’am.”

“Very good Lizette, show him up.” Vivian took a deep breath and slowly released it. What did William need ‘this’ time?

A few minutes later William Astor, Vivian’s eldest child entered the room. Vivian rose to greet him and turned her head ever so slightly, presenting her cheek for his customary peck. “You are looking well William.”

William jumped right into why he was there, he had yet to learn the art of schmoozing. “I brought an associate with me.. I would like you to meet.”

Vivian figured as much. William had another scheme he wanted her to bankroll. She smiled brightly, “Excellent.. Let’s go meet him.” She swept out of the room headed to the morning room. Inwardly she was thinking he would rue this day. She told him earlier she was done. She tired of his laziness. If he thought she would politely decline his business offer, he had another thing coming.

Vivian swept into the morning room, smiling graciously as she approached the young man that suddenly stood nervously. She looked at her son, waiting for him to introduce her.

“Mother, this is Jacob Matthews. Jacob, my mother, Dame Vivian Astor.”

Vivian lifted an eyebrow in a quizzical manner, “How very nice to meet you Mr. Matthews. You are younger than I expected. I trust you do own a tuxedo? I simply cannot abide those rental monstrosities. They never have the proper cut or fit. Don’t you agree?” Her smile friendly and her tone pleasant.

Jacob looked from Vivian to William then back to Vivian, confusion clearly etched on his face. “A tuxedo?”

“Yes dear,” Vivian’s tone was somewhat patronizing, “It is a formal event.”

Jacob looked at William beseechingly and William finally spoke up. “Mother, Jacob is a business associate.. we have an offer..”

Vivian cut him off. “He isn’t here because of the charity event on Saturday?” Her smile died. She turned to look at Jacob. “Mr. Matthews, let me give you some advice. You do not want to do business with my son. In the last ten years, he has yet to be successful in any of the endeavors he has been associated with. In fact, if you wish your business to fail utterly, let my son help you. Everything he touches, fails miserably. He is lazy, entitled and a con man. But I have cut him off. What money he received from his father’s death is long since gone.” She noted the look of dawning realization on Jacob’s face. “Ah. He talked you into giving him money, didn't he?”

By this time William was stammering and trying to get his mother to be quiet. “Mother.. it is clear you are in a mood.. we will come back another time.. Jacob let’s go. She gets like this, when she’s off her meds.”

Vivian glared at her son, drew a deep breath, and slowly exhaled, never breaking eye contact with William. “Do a little research Mr. Matthews. I believe my son’s nefarious dealings are well documented by the courts dockets, even if they do not necessarily end up in front of a judge for a adjudication.”

===============
London, England
March, 2015
===============

Vivian sat at her writing desk working on the seating arrangements for the dinner party coming up on the weekend. Seating was quite important at such things. There was thought and strategy put into every placement. A good hostess placed people next to those of shared interest and similar political views. For instance, Lord Weston who had a fondness for golf and talked about it every chance he got was placed Ms. Eliza Bancroft who was recently selected to play on the LPGA Pro-Am Tournament.

However she was interrupted by the arrival of Giles, her butler. “Excuse me Madam, Miss Charlotte has arrived.”

Vivian’s outward expression didn’t change, but Giles had been with the family long enough that he knew when to continue and when not to. He chose this occasion to continue. “With baggage, madam.”

Vivian turned to face him, “No Giles. Not this time. Yes, please show Charlotte in, but she will not be staying.”

Giles returned his mistress regard evenly, he too showed no expression, except for the telltale twitch of his left eyebrow, which showed his approval. “Very good Madam.”

A few minutes later, Charlotte Astor Hitchens dramatically entered her mother’s drawing room. “I’ve left him! You would not believe the ridiculous demands he made! So I said enough. I will not take it! I do not follow idiotic rules! I am an adult.. I can make my own decisions! I do not need him dictating what I may and may not do!” She paced about the room gesturing in an exaggerated manner the whole time during her diatribe.

Vivian sighed. “Again Charlotte? This is your fourth husband… you are 38 years old..”

Charlotte quickly interjected, “32..”

“For godsake Charlotte I know how old you are! You are 38. The bloom of youth is far removed from you and your countenance. Have the decency to at least act your age. This constant roller coaster ride with a new husband every other year must end.”

“This is my life Mother! I have the right to make my own decisions without you or him telling me what to do!”

“I am merely saying Charlotte that your days of playing the young helpless ingenue are over. You aren’t getting any younger. You are on your fourth marriage, you have two children out of wedlock,..”

Charlotte once more cut her off. “That is what this is about isn’t Mother? My ******** children. You have never accepted them as legitimate members of the family.”

“That is because, Charotte,” She enunciated the word clearly, “They are not legitimate. And no matter what you do, they never will be. And I refuse to turn a blind eye to your constant indiscretions, affairs, and general whorish behavior.”
“You are so medieval! You sit here in your ivory tower and expect us to all obey your outdated morals. Well Mother I am my own person and I refuse to have you foist your bygone age morals on me.”

Vivian looked as though she were about to retort, when she paused. A moment passed as she took a deep breath, “You are right Charlotte.”

Charlotte was ready to fire back with a missile of her own, when she stopped cold. Did her mother just admit she was wrong?

Vivian continued, “You are quite right Charlote, and more than that, I apologize. You are an adult, it -is- your life. I should not ‘foist’ my beliefs on you. It isn't fair.”

Charlotte warily accepted her mother’s apology. “Thank you, Mother.”

“Yes. And as you said, you can make your decisions, and that is as it should be. But I too can make my own decisions. And in that vein, I am going to let you make your decisions for good or bad. I shall stop interfering.”

“Finally!” Charlotte straightened and held her chin slightly higher than it had been. “It really is for the best this way, Mother.”

Vivian eyed her daughter evenly, as her thoughts went to the obvious. ‘Best for him. He is mostly likely thrilled to pieces she’s gone. If he’s smart, he change the locks while he has a chance.’ Aloud she said. “It is good to see you actually taking a stand Charlotte. I feared I would not live to see the day. But today is that day.”

“It is. I am my own woman! Hear me roar.” came Charlotte’s impassioned response.

“Where will you go?” The question so innocent and brief, took Charlotte aback.

“What?”

Vivian looked at her pointedly, “I said, where will you go?”

“What do you mean Mother? Where will I go?” She looked completely confused by the question.

“You have left, .. Rupert? Where will you go?”

“Rodney Mother, his name is Rodney. And I am not going anywhere..”

Vivian feigned her own confused look, “Oh I see.. you are kicking him out of the house.”

“No Mother.” Exasperatedly said. “It’s his house. I came home, here to Astor House.”

Vivian’s face took on a much more cold look, “No dear. You are not staying here. People who live here.. have my morals and Ideals foisted upon them.” She smiled coldly, “We agreed, you are an adult. It is time for you to quit expecting me to take you and your little bastards in every time you have snit with your lover, husband, boyfriend or sugar daddy.. And there is no time like the present.” Another cold smile, “Giles!.. Charlotte is leaving. Please show her to the door.”

“Mother!” Her voice a mixture of disbelief and outrage, “I am your daughter..”

“Do not be tiresome Charlotte, lest I have to resort to having security escort you off the estate. Do give me a ring when you have a permanent address.”

===============
London, England
Late March, 2015
===============

Vivian looked at her youngest with barely disguised disappointment. He had been gambling again. “I told you last time I bailed you out.. that the bank was closed. There will be no more withdraws.”

Robert Astor, the sandy hair twenty-eight year old favorite child, smiled winningly at her, “You and I, know you don’t mean that. I will admit, I have let you down. And to make it up to you I will seek help.”

“If I pay for it.. “ She lifted her left eyebrow, it was a tell. That outward gesture that would tell anyone who knew her, that even though her voice may sound normal, and she may be smiling, she was about to lower the boom on someone.

“Well I wouldn’t be here, if I could pay for it..now would I, Mother ” His tone almost patronizing as he grinned cheekily at her, having missed the sign that said his head was about to roll.

“Robert.. “ She smiled at him, remembering him as her adoring boy, “You know I love you..”

Robert thought he had it in the bag, “Yes. I do Mother. And just as soon as I pay my debt.. I will check myself in where ever you say.” He nodded as he assumed the ‘guilty yet adorable’ look that had always worked in the past. “I’ll need two days tops..”

“No Robert. Not this time. I am not bailing you out. You are going to have to take care of this yourself.” She stood and moved away from her desk. Moving away from where she had written him checks all the times before. Her moving reiterated her resolve, symbolically and subliminally showing she would not be giving him money.

“Mother I need that money.”

“You may need money Robert, but are not getting it from me.”

“You don’t mean that.. You don’t know these guys, these are some bad men.”

“Then you shouldn’t have gambled with them.”

It was dawning on Robert, that she meant what she said. But he wasn’t done yet. “If I don't get that money.. they will kill me Mother. You will be attending my funeral.”

“No Robert. I am not giving you any money.”

Panic was starting to set in. He had let too much time pass. The deadline was tomorrow, he had presumed he would have a check like always.. but now he saw unless he pulled out all the stops he might really be in deep ****. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

“Mother.. this is your fault. All your fault. You should have never given me the money the first time! But you did.. you enabled me. I have killers on my tail and now you say no? No. It isn’t fair.. this your mistake! I need that money!”

Vivian stiffened. Yes. He might have a point. She had enabled him. She stood erect, her back stretched to her full height, her chin tilted high. “And now I am rectifying that mistake.”

The words were barely out of her mouth, when she found herself in his grip. Robert’s hands about her neck, starting to squeeze and shake her. “I need that money Mother!”

What might have happened had Giles not been listening in, could have been much worse. But he had been listening in. He entered the room, grabbed a fireplace poker and beat Robert with until he let go of his mother.

“He tried to kill me…”

“Shall I call the police Madam?” Giles was still wielding the poker, as Robert quickly realized he had fucked the hell up.

“Mother.. I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean it..”

“You tried to kill me!” Her shock had given way to righteous indignation. “Yes Giles. Call the Police.”

Giles still standing between his employer and her son, handed Vivian the poker, before moving to the phone and dialing 999. “Yes.. We need the police at Astor House.. there has been an attempted murder.”

“Mother! Stop him!”

As her cold regard hit him, Robert realized that he needed to leave.

========
Later
========

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Wallace looked at Dame Vivian Astor in disbelief. The nobility set never turned in their own family. Never. In fact they went out of their way to stonewall the police at every turn. But here was Dame Astor telling him that her son Robert had just tried to kill her. He chose his words carefully.

“Do you understand..that attempted murder is a crime?”

Vivian sighed, “Of course I do Inspector. I wish to press charges against him.”

“This is a serious charge and..” He paused, he was unsure how to address her. Was she addressed as her ladyship? He didn’t know. He continued without personally addressing her. “...That if you insist on this course of action, I will have to pick him up for questioning.” He paused, “It becomes a matter of public record.” He added to be sure she understood.

Personally DCI Wallace would love to pick up one of the aristocracy and book them for murder. But only if his witness was going to stand firm, and not renege on it as soon as the press got a hold of it. He had noted the redness on her neck, there was a case here. But only if she followed through with her statement. If she made a statement.

Vivian then understood the Inspector’s less than proactive attitude about upholding the law. “Inspector, I appreciate the” she paused and took a breath, “lack of support officers of the law tend to get from the nobility. However, I assure you, that not only do I wish to press charges, I will sign a statement for you right now. He tried to kill me, had Giles not stopped him.. I could very well be dead at this moment. He should pay for that crime.” She knew Robert would be angry, but if he really was in deep to the criminal sect, the safest place for him would be in police custody.

DCI Wallace nodded and started making notes, “Gile is who?”

“My butler.”

He looked at her, “The butler saved you from son?”

“Yes.”

“I will need to speak with your butler.”

“Of course you will.”

DCI Wallace looked about the room and noticed the fireplace poker leaning up against a writing desk, “Can you tell me, what happened.”

Vivian drew a deep breath. Secrets and bail outs is why her children were horrible examples of mankind. “Robert has been gambling again. He ran up a debt. He expected me to pay it. I said no. The next thing I knew his hands were around my throat and I could not breathe. Giles saved me.”

“How did he get him to let go of you?”

Vivian shook her head, “I really couldn’t say. I was focused with trying to breathe.” Her tone was condescending.


“Apologies.. “ DCI Wallace deferred. “What happened once you were free?”

“I instructed Giles to call the police and Robert .. fled.” She sniffed as though she found Robert’s actions the highest of cowardice. She moved to her writing desk, she withdrew some cards, “My children’s addresses. He will no doubt try to get money from them now.”

Using his pen, he pointed to the poker, “Did your son use that against you?”

Vivian looked in the direction he pointed and saw the poker, “No. Giles gave me that, to protect myself while he called you. But I didn’t need it.. because Robert left.”

Nodding DCI Wallace, never looked up from his notes, “Where can I find Giles?” he said as Giles stepped in the room and cleared his throat.

He looked up, he was about to speak when Vivian did, “I will leave you and Giles to speak. If I am needed I will be upstairs.”

=======================
The day after Robert’s Arrest
=======================

William looked at his mother in exasperation. “The Police Mother, really?”

Vivian gave William a cool almost bored look. “He tried to murder William. What would you have me do?”

“I don’t know.. but the Police? We have never aired our business for commoner’s consumption.”

Vivian shrugged carelessly, “Maybe it is time we should. Look at my neck William. I simply cannot go out in public like this. Therefore it is clear, he must pay.” Vivian didn’t really believe that, but she did so enjoy watching William turn that unattractive shade of purple when he didn’t get his way.

“That’s is hardly a suitable course of action.. you should.. “ He stopped abruptly.

“I should what William?” She dared him to say it.

“You should disinherit him instead. At least that way, Charlotte and I’s name isn’t dragged through the mud.” He retorted petulantly.

Vivian laughed. It was a cold laugh that trickled off to a smile of true amusement. “Please darling.. do be serious.” She paused just long enough to give William that false sense of security, before she pulled the proverbial rug out from beneath his feet. “You have all been disinherited for years…”

William’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, before finally he croaked out, “What? ..What do you mean for disinherited?” It was clear that this eventuality had not even been on his radar.

Vivian was somewhat disappointed that she didn’t feel as vindicated as she thought she would. Airily she gestured in a dismissive manner, “Yes dear. You were disinherited when you failed to pay back your ‘I-promise-to-pay-back-third’ loan to me. You did not. Charlotte was disinherited when she gave birth to her second child out of wedlock. And Robert.. well he was disinherited when he refused to go to rehab for his gambling addiction. You all brought it on yourselves. I told you there would be consequences.” She by chance caught sight of her nails. “It’s chipped. It isn’t even three days old!” She sounded far more indignant at the state of her nails, than her pronouncement that all three of her children were cut out of her will.

“Who inherits?” A white pasty faced William asked tightly.

“Your cousin Lorraine.”

William almost spit, he sputtered so hard. “Lorraine!? Good god Mother! She will spend it all on cat rescue! You can’t do this!”

Vivian had lied, of course she had not left it to Lorraine, she knew that Lorraine’s name would set him off, and she wasn’t disappointed. “Don’t be tiresome William. If she want’s to save animals, who am I to tell her no? She at least has a job.”

“Breeding and showing cats is not job, Mother!”

“Of course it is. A lucrative one too I might add.” She gave him an innocent look, “Did you know Mr. Sprinkles received three hundred thousand in endorsements last year? And that is just one of her cats.. How much did you make last year, William?” She paused and then smiled, “My masseuse is due any minute. Time for you to go dear. Ta.”

=======================
Two days after Robert’s Arrest
=======================

Vivian answered the phone. This was not something she did normally. The call however, was on her private line, only used for special people and for emergencies. “Hello?” Her hesitancy was washed away as she recognized her Solicitor on the line. “David, how lovely of you to call.” There was genuine warmth to her words. “I hope you aren’t calling to tell me you sprung Robert out of jail. You are my solicitor, not Robert’s. I do not share my solicitors. Robert can find his own. And should he be lucky enough to secure one; no I am not paying for his defense.”

“Vivian, this is more serious..”

Vivian’s smile faltered only briefly, bracing herself for the news that Robert was attacked in jail. “Oh?”

“William was here earlier. He said you told him, you had disinherited all of them.”

“Yes. Yes I did tell him.”

“I warned you not to do that Vivian.” David scolded.

Vivian drew a breath, “I know you did. But David, he .. no.. they all need to know that they are going to have to make their own ways in the world. Better they start now.”

David sighed audibly, “Viv.. William wants to get Guardianship of you. He claims your mental acuity has been failing for some time. And that he can make the argument, that Robert didn’t try to kill you.. that were having one of your ...’episodes’”

“What?!” The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. The icicles that clung to the word almost visible.

“You are 68 years old Vivian, and while I know you are of sound mind, if he manages to get some fly-by-night solicitor with money signs in his eyes, you could be in for a major fight.”

“Those hateful ungrateful brats.” Vivian could have cheerfully taken her skeet rifle and killed them all at that moment.

“The first step to Guardianship.. is hospitalization and a battery of tests. In all the cases I have been involved on, that is always the first thing a judge orders. I know you, Vivian. You would not do well being locked up for tests.”

“They can’t do this David. People would have perjure themselves, for this work in their favor.”

“Like I said.. the first step is always hospitalization. You can’t be hospitalized if they can’t find you. I think you should go on an extended holiday, out of the country. Perhaps, France or some place warm.”

“Duly noted, David. Thank you. I trust you will understand if I do not disclose my itinerary to you.” Vivian disconnected, and looked at Giles as he quietly entered. “Have Lisette pack my things. An all season wardrobe. Pack your things as well, unless you have reason to stay here?”

“No Ma’am. I’ve always wanted to go somewhere new.”

“Then you are in luck Giles. That is precisely what we are going to do..”

================
A Few Weeks Later
================

“Madam.. a question, if I may?” Giles asked politely in his usual calm and reserved manner.

“Giles.. please.” Vivian sighed “We are in the Americas now.. call me Vivian.. this madam business, simply does not fly here.”

“Very well Miss Vivian.”

She sighed again, “Giles..” a pause, “What was your question?”

“If you never intended on staying in Bermuda, Saint Martin or Belize, why did you rent mailboxes and storage units in those three areas?”

Vivian smiled, it was a dreamy type of smile, “Why to annoy William of course. He is going to apocalyptic when he realizes I have no intention of returning to the United Kingdom. David has assured me that as long as I am not in the UK, his attempts to gain ‘guardianship’ will come to naught. But it won’t stop William from trying to find me, and talk me into returning. And instead of sending a private detective, he will go himself, the cheapskate that he is, but he will stay in only the top rated hotels and dine at the four star or better restaurants.” The smile broadened, “Just imagine his face Giles, when he flies to Bermuda.. it is peak season, he will search for me. He will run up bills that he can’t pay, only to find I am not there. A wasted trip. He will return to England empty handed with a maxed out line of credit.”

“And the other two places?”

“He will return home, and finally decide that perhaps he does need a private investigator after all. It is only fair to give the investigator something costly to investigate.”

“You have a mean streak Miss Vivian.”

Vivian looked at him solemnly, “Yes. Yes I do.”

Vivian slowly opened her journal. She took a deep breath. She read her last entry. Odd the emotion that entry was once held, and now seemed so long ago. Carefully picking a pen she hesitated a moment, and then finally began to write.

• April 21, 2015
  
  We arrived at my cousin Barbara’s a few day ago. I brought Giles with me. He has been more of a son to me, than my own sons. I am glad I did. It is comforting to have someone familiar with me right now. The irony of the situation is not lost on me. When I finally decided to give the ‘class’ and ‘aristocracy’ the old heave ho.. Mother Nature decides to tell me in no uncertain terms that I am not worthy of having a newstart.
  
  I have had a cough for for a while. I’m old. I put it down to allergies and my body not being able to deal the changes in weather that I could handle as a young woman. In the last few weeks, we have gone from perpetually damp weather to warm and humid, to quite dry and cold. I told myself, a young person would have difficulty adjusting to so much fluctuation of seasons. However, Barbara said it did not resemble the allergy cough she was used to. She too, has allergies. She made an appointment with her GP. Even though it is managed healthcare, if you are will to pay cash instead of government subsidy, the Doctor will fit you in.
  
  Dr. Graves was not happy with my test results. I should have seen then it was going to be bad news. Dr. Graves. The name alone should have warned me. I should have stuck my head in the sand and ignored Barbara. But I didn’t. Five days and a myriad of tests later, it is confirmed. Cancer. Not just cancer. But cancer in an advanced state. Stage four, I was informed. They immediately began making appointments for surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and whole host of different solutions.
  
  But I asked Doctor Graves nurse, what were the odds of complete success, not remission, but successful freedom from cancer. The nurse, I believe her name was Stacy, has a very expressive face. The type of face that cannot lie to you. She faltered. I knew then, that it was just a matter of time. I am in no pain. I feel

Vivian paused and smiled wistfully before continuing to write.

• alive. More alive than I have felt in a long time. I could try the treatments, but what quality of life would I have. Entombed in a sterile hospital with dreadful food and no friends? No. I am going out having fun and tilting at windmills.
  
  Do not get me wrong, I do not think I can beat this cancer. I am not stupid I know it will kill me. The Windmill I tilt at? This City. This city, Harper Rock, is awash in corruption. What kind of corruption I am not sure. But I have decided that I am going make some poor mayor’s life a living misery until I find answers.. Or I die.