“Max, perhaps your head injury has brought on this madness, but there is no truth in it. My friends—and I remind you they are your friends as well—did not set the fire. It was an accident started by carelessness. Then the winds whipped up and sent embers into the air. You were there, you must have seen it.”
“I was busy working and didn’t even realize there was a fire until nearly too late. I wasn’t the only one caught unaware. Many had to take to the river to keep from burning to death.”
“Max, you’re certainly doing no good to upset yourself in this manner.”
“Tell me that you aren’t going to make a good deal of money off the insurance. I happen to know you had high-end coverage.”
His father looked momentarily uncomfortable, then leanedback and crossed his arms. “I will receive money from the insurance company. But you will as well. You were half owner, so before you condemn me or our friends, you must accept that you are a part of this.”
Max felt his anger rise. “I didn’t approve setting fire to Boom Island!”
“And neither did I. Put aside your suspicions. It was nothing more than an accident that happened to answer a great many prayers. It’s over with, and you need to put aside any ideas of having your own private investigation. It would be a waste of money.”
“You’re most likely right. I’m sure Fire Chief Runge and anyone else involved would see to that.”
“Max, you are wrongly judging men you don’t even know. I think your injuries have stirred up in you a need for revenge where none is due.” He huffed a heavy sigh and shook his head. “When does the doctor say you’ll be healthy enough to leave his care?”
“He hasn’t said.” Max wasn’t of a mind to let go of his concerns, but he knew his father would never tell him the truth. “Dr. Turner and his family have bid me stay as long as need be, since I now live alone.”
“But you could easily return to our home. There are servants aplenty to assist you in every way.”
“I’d rather remain here. I happen to enjoy this family’s company.”
“Whereas you don’t enjoy ours? Is that it?”
Max almost laughed. “You’ve never pined for my company before. You and the Duchess sent me away at every possible chance. I hardly believe you’re missing me now.”
“You are a most unforgiving man and full of accusations. I only did what I felt was right for your education and upbringing. It was never a personal desire to have you absent frommy life. It was simply the way things were done. Children of wealthy families were sent to boarding schools.”
“They aren’t in this household. They’re cherished and loved. The Turners have ten children and never sent even one of them away. And while they have nannies to assist, Dr. and Mrs. Turner were present almost every day and night to care for them personally. You rarely even knew what I was doing, so please don’t pretend to care now.”
“You think I don’t?”
Max knew his father had only done what had been done to him. He was practicing what he had been taught. Feeling the pain of his wounds, Max drew in a deep breath and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Father. I suppose it is the misery of my injuries that causes me to complain. Let us forget about it. What’s the news from New York?”
For a long moment, his father remained silent. Max felt a modicum of guilt for having come down so hard on him. It was possible he knew nothing about the fire, and he had only the examples around him to reflect what constituted proper fatherhood.
“There’s finally hope for recovery. You may have read in the newspaper that gold shipments have arrived from Europe, and more is on the way. This will bolster our financial foundations and finally put an end to the fear that the money will run out. The forecasters are anticipating the worst of our economic troubles will be put aside by the end of the year.”
Max was glad to hear the news but at the same time couldn’t help thinking again of the fire. Had it been set deliberately to aid those in financial distress? Of course, if he did pursue the matter, his father might very well be prosecuted for whatever part he played. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe the winds really had sent embers aloft to land on the sawmills of Boom Island.
“You look tired. I suppose your injuries are taking a toll. I’m sorry that you had to bear such an outcome. Is there anything in particular that needs my attention business-wise?” Father asked, sounding surprisingly sympathetic.
“No, everything is fine. You don’t need to concern yourself with a thing. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to deal with soon enough. Given the new gold coming in, my brothers will be jumping to buy up bankrupt businesses and foreclosures.”
His father perked up at this. “Yes, they’ve kept an eye out for such things. They told me that there were a great many choice properties for sale, and they have purchased prime New York City real estate already. But then that’s often what is done in bad times. Those who didn’t plan wisely are forced to face their mistakes.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “I must return home. I promised your stepmother that I would escort her to the opening of a new art gallery.”
Life would just go on as it always had, Max surmised. The wealthy would go on finding ways to make money, and the poor would continue to battle for their existence. Especially those displaced by the fire. He’d made his own purchases, a home and several pieces of land. They weren’t foreclosures, but the desperation of the owners to sell still allowed Max to walk away with a great deal.
Father rose and smiled down at him. “I’m glad you’re in good care. I will call again if time permits. Otherwise, let me know when you return home.”
“Of course I will.” Max nodded. “I believe I’ll take a rest now.”
His father paused and gave him a stern look of reprimand. “Max, just forget about all that’s happened. It was nothing more than an accident. If you insist on making more of it, you’ll cause problems not only for us, but for our friends. No one did anything wrong.”
“If that’s true, then why would it cause problems if I had the matter investigated?”
His father stared at him a moment longer, then waved his hand. “I’ll talk to you when you’re feeling better.”
