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Chapter Twenty-five.
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it was Gordon Wellman, the night manager at the Copley Square Hotel, who
inadvertently saved Julia! s life. He had come on duty at six o'clock
that evening, and had automatically checked the hotel register, When he
came across the name of Julia Stanford, he stared at it in surprise.
Ever since Harry Stanford had died, the newspapers had been full of
stones about the Stanford family. They had dredged up the ancient
scandal of Stanford's affair with the children's governess and the
suicide of Stanford-s wife. Harry Stanford had an illegitimate daughter
named Julia. There were rumors that she had come to Boston in secret.
Shortly after going on a shopping spree, she had reportedly left for
South America. Now, it seemed that she was back. And she's staying at my
hotel! Gordon Wellman thought excitedly. He turned to the front-desk
clerk. ' you know how much publicity this could mean for the hotelt A
minute later, he was on the telephone to the press. 282 When Julia
arrived back at the hotel after her sightseeing tour, the lobby was
filled with reporters, - eagerly awaiting her. As soon as she walked
into the lobby, they pounced. '. Stanford! I'm from the Boston Globe.
We've been looking for you, but we heard that you had left town. Could
you tell us.. I T A television camera was pointed at her. '. Stanford,
I'm with WCVB-TV. We'd like to get a statement from you ...' '.
Stanford, I'm from the Boston Phoenix. We want to know your reaction to.
- .' ' this way, Miss. Stanford! Smile! Thank you.' Flashes were
popping. Julia stood there, filled with confusion. Oh, my God, she
thought. Thefainfly is going to think that rm some kind of publicity
hound. She turned to the reporters. ''m sorry. I have nothing to say."
She fled into the elevator. They piled in after her. ' magazine wants to
do a story on your life, and what it feels like to be estranged from
your family for over twenty-five years.' -Ve heard you had gone to South
America.' ' you planning to live in Boston ... T ' aren't you staying at
Rose Hill ... T She got out of the elevator at the fourth floor and
hurried down the corridor. They were at her heels.
There was no way to escape them. Julia took out her key and opened the
door to her 283 room. She stepped inside and turned on the light. '
well. Come in.' Hidden behind the door, Hal Baker was caught by
surprise, the knife in his raised hand. As the reporters shoved past
him, he quickly put the knife back in his pocket and mingled with the
group..Julia turned to the reporters. ' right. One question at a time,
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please.' Frustrated, Baker backed toward the door and slipped out.
Judge Stanford was not going to be pleased. For the next thirty minutes,
Julia answered questions as best she could. Finally, they were gone.
Julia locked the door and went to bed. In the morning, the television
stations and newspapers featured stories about Julia Stanford. Tyler
read the papers and was furious. Woody and Kendall joined him at the
breakfast table. ''s all this nonsense about some woman calling herself
Julia Stanfordt Woody asked. '? s a phony,' Tyler said glibly.
"She came to the door yesterday, demanding money, and I sent her away. I
didn't expect her to pull a cheap publicity stunt like this. Don't
worry. I'll take care of her.' He put in a call to Simon Fitzgerald.
"Have you seen the morning paperst '.' 284 she'T'shisurconistaerrtist is
going around town claiming that Fitzgerald said, ' you want me to have
her arrested?' '! That would only create more publicity". I want you to
get her out of town.' ' right. I'll take care, of it, Judge Stanford.' '
you.' Simon Fitzgerald sent for'Steve Sloane. ''s a problem,' he said.
Steve nodded. ' know. I've heard the morning news and seen the papers.
Who is shet ' someone who thinks she can horn in on the family fortune.
Judge Stanford suggested we get her out of town. Will you handle hert '
pleasure,' Steve said grimly. One hour later, Steve was knocking on
Julia's hotel room door. When Julia opened the door and saw him standing
there she said, ''m sorry. I'm not talking to any more reporters. I ''m
not a reporter. May I come int "Who are yout ' name is Steve Sloane. I'm
with the law firm representing the Harry Stanford estate.' '. I see.
Yes. Come in." Steve walked into the room. 285 ' you tell the press that
you are Julia Stanford?' ''m afraid I was caught off guard. I didn't
expect them, you see, and. - .' ' you didclaim to be Harry Stanford's
daughtert '. I am his daughter.' He looked at her and said cynically,
"Of course, you have proof of that.' ', no,' Julia said slowly. '
don't.' ' on,' Steve insisted. ' must have some proof.' He intended to
nail her with her own lies. ' have nothing,' she said. He studied her,
surprised. She was not what he had expected. There was a disarming
frankness about her. She seems intelligent. How could she have been
stupid enough to come here claiming to be ffarry Stanford's daughter
without any proof? ''s too bad,' Steve said. ' Stanford wants you to get [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]