Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Four

Taylor eyed Clark suspiciously. "Julia Stanford . . . here?" "Yes, sir," said the butler in a tone of bewilderment. "But she's not the Miss Stanford who came earlier." Taylor smiled reluctantly. "Of course not. I'm afraid it's a charlatan." "A charlatan, sir?" "Yes. One by one they crept out of the shadowy corners, Clark. They all came to claim a right to the family fortune." "This is terrible, sir. Shall I call the police?" "No," Tyler said quickly, the last thing on his mind, "I'll take care of this. Take her to the library."

"Yes, sir." Taylor's mind kept thinking.So it looks like the real Julia Stanford is finally showing up.Luckily no one else in the family was home at the time.He had to get rid of her immediately. Tyler went into the library.Julia stood in the middle of the room, looking at the photograph of Harry Stanford.Tyler stood there for a moment, examining the woman carefully.She's beautiful, but the bad thing is... Julia turned and saw him. "Hello." "Hello." "You're Tyler." "Yes. Who are you?" Her smile disappeared. "Isn't he...? I'm Julia Stanford."

"Really? Forgive me for asking. But do you have any proof?" "Evidence? Oh, there's...I...that's...not evidence. I just think it's..." He approaches her. "How did you happen to be here?" "I made up my mind it was time for me to meet my family." "After twenty-eight years?" "yes." From the way she looked, from the way she spoke, Tyler was absolutely certain that she was the real Julia, and that she was dangerous to him too, and that she must be removed quickly. Tyler forced a smile. "Yeah, you can imagine what a shock it was to me. I mean you showed up out of the blue, and..."

"I know. I'm sorry. Maybe I should call first." Taylor asked casually, "You came to Boston alone?" "yes." His mind was spinning rapidly. "Does anyone else know you're here?" "No. Well, the person I live with, Sally, she's in Kansas City..." "Where are you staying?" "The Copley Square Hotel." "It's a nice hotel. What room number?" "Room 419." "Well, why don't you go back to the hotel and wait for us there? I'm going to get Woody and Kendall ready. They'll be as surprised as I am."

"Sorry. I should have..." "It's okay. Now that we're meeting, I'm sure everything will be fine." "Thank you, Taylor." "You're welcome..." He was almost breathless, "...Julia. I'll call you a taxi." Five minutes later, she was gone. Hal Baker had just returned to his room in a hotel in downtown Boston when the phone rang.He picked up the phone. "Hal?" "Sorry, I haven't heard from you yet, Judge. I've searched the whole city. I've been to the airport and..." "Here she is, idiot!"

"what?" "She's in Boston. She's in room 419 of the Copley Place Hotel. I want you to get rid of her tonight. I don't want to make any more mistakes. Do you understand?" "What has happened is not mine..." "do you understand?" "Yes sir." "So, go!" Tyler put the receiver back with a bang, and went to find Clark. "Clark, remember that young woman who came here just now pretending to be my sister?" "Remember, sir?" "I don't want the rest of the family to know about it, it just annoys them."

"I understand, sir. You are very thoughtful." ※※※ Julia walked to dinner at the luxurious Carlton Hotel.The restaurant was beautiful, just as her mother had described it.I often take the kids there for brunch on Sundays.Julia was sitting in the dining room, and she could picture her mother sitting at the table with little Taylor, little Woody, and little Kendall.If only I could grow up with them, Julia thought.Still, at least I'm coming to see them now.She wondered if her mother approved of what she was doing now.Taylor's reception surprised Julia.He seemed... unfeeling.But that was also natural, Julia thought.A stranger came up to him suddenly and said "I'm your sister", of course he would be suspicious.Still, I'm sure I can convince them.

Julia was surprised when the bill came.I have to be careful, she thought.I have to save enough to travel back to Kansas City. When she came outside Copley Square, a tour bus was preparing to depart.She got into the car without thinking.She wants to enjoy seeing the city where her mother lived. ※※※ Hal Baker strode into the lobby of the Copley Plaza Hotel as if he had been born there.He walked up the stairs to the fourth floor.This time there will be no mistakes. Room 419 is right in the middle of the corridor.Hal Baker checked the aisle repeatedly, and knocked when he was sure no one was around.No reply.He knocked again. "Miss Stanford?" Still no answer.

He took a small case from his pocket, and selected a chisel.A few seconds later the door opened.Hal Baker walked in and closed the door behind him.There was no one in the room. "Miss Stanford?" He went into the bathroom.No one is inside.He took the knife out of his pocket, took a chair from outside, put it behind the door, and sat in the dark to wait.After an hour, he suddenly heard footsteps coming towards the room. Hal Baker stood up quickly and stood behind the door, knife in hand.He heard the key turn in the lock and the door began to open slowly.He hid behind the door, holding the knife high above his head, ready to strike.Julia Stanford came in and turned on the light.He heard her say, "Very well. Come in."

A group of reporters swarmed into the room.