Peter and Jackson exchanged quick glances.

“We could set aside some of the stock holdings or investments to pay her,” Jackson started, thinking aloud.

Peter nodded, understanding where Jackson was going with his idea. “Set it up,” he said quickly.

“Thanks, Tina,” Peter said. “You’re right, of course.  We’ll set aside something, ring-fence a portion of the funds destined for her foundation, with a requirement that those funds be used to finance management fees.  Let me assure you that we’ll make sure it’ll be enough, maybe close to, or a bit more than what I estimate she makes from her investment activities with George, Logan and others.”

He consulted his watch. There was a lot to do yet to get things ready.  All of this stuff about his will could wait for later.

“Tina, Fleming’s told us things that worry me. And, at the same time, I think whatever Bette needs for her to finish this thing is with someone from my father’s past.  So I think I’ll be calling Bette in a few hours, and suggest she join me when I go to Virginia.”

Tina’s eyebrows furrowed again. Back to the stuff about the gold.

“Will it be dangerous?” Tina asked, her stomach turning.  Something about Peter’s and Fleming’s conversation sounded ominous to her.

He shrugged slowly.

“Then I want to go, too,” Tina said firmly.

He looked at Jackson, who pursed his lips in a frown, as he and Peter communicated silently with each other, and then looked at Tina. Everything they’d researched about this couple had been on the mark.  One thing was clear, judging by what Peter had quickly explained to him when Peter had called, after Tina had approached him on the street to ask to meet: Tina was deeply devoted to Bette, fiercely protective.  And, based on their conversation just now about Peter’s will, the blonde was likely the rock on whom Bette leaned on, the lynchpin that kept the brunette’s complicated world together.

Peter read his adviser’s silent glances, and decided to agree with Tina.

“Why don’t we bring everyone up? Make this something of a long week-end’s set of activities in my farm in the horse country in Virginia?  I’m scheduled to join a polo team for tomorrow night’s charity polo match, anyway…”

“And Brom could join you in that, too,” Tina added. This would rope in Brom’s own security detail, on top of hers and Bette’s. She imagined Peter had something arranged, also.

Peter nodded, “Yeah, I’ve met him. Great polo player.”

“We have a friend visiting the area, a Captain in the Navy, Sylvia’s son, who we could bring along also?” Tina asked.

“Bring all those you think would be helpful, Tina.”

Tina started tapping out an email to send around.  “What’s the address of your place?”

He gave the address, and explained “It’s a farm along Zulla Road, between John Marshall highway and route 50 in Middleburg, Virginia.”

Tina smiled. “A farm?”

He laughed, “Well, a horse farm of sorts, or a facility where I keep my horses. A nice weekend retreat, really.  Lots of estates in the areas are called one type of farm or another.”

“Does it have a name locals would know it by?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Skydance.”

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