The Devisal of Mr. Danworth

^{by @gaby-crb and @calluna}

The familiar ping jerked through my morning haze, the signal of a new email arriving in my inbox, blared from my laptop. I hastily tapped at the volume. My fingers circled around the warm mug in my hand, the hot brush of steam warning me not to take a sip yet. I checked the screen, 16 new emails already this morning. Working from home had seemed so much easier, I never liked the office, or being out on the road, at least at home I had my own brand of coffee, and my cat Neelix, but the emails never stopped.

I cleared through the top 10 as spam, another 5 were easily filed, the last however caught my attention. My eyes focused on the sender name, I hastily placed my mug on the table and clicked the email. The sound of the news playing on the TV melted into the background, even the smell of my burning toast didn't interrupt my focus.

Good day,

My name is Michael Kent, I am the personal attorney and sole executor to my late client, Mr Ian Dankworth, who shares the same surname with you.

After the death of my client, in an automobile incident, in the year 2007, the bank contacted me to provide his next of kin to inherit his fortune, totaling Thirty Seven Million Bruvna ($37,000,000.00) according to the existing bank records.

I have written several letters to his country embassy with the intent of locating any of his immediate or extended family who will stand as the next of kin and all my efforts has been to no avail.

I have received official letters from the board of directors of the holding bank in the last few weeks suggesting a likely precedent for confiscation of his abandoned personal assets in line with existing laws, therefore I have been issued a 30 working days ultimatum to provide his next of kin or forfeit the deposit.

From my professional experience I can use any and all legal means available to re-profile and present you as the next of kin to my deceased client since you share his surname, this would enable you put a claim to the funds on our behalf.

Please kindly indicate your interest by responding to this email so we can discuss further.

Yours sincerely, Barr. Michael Kent

I glanced at the scuffed bag by the door, I had known Mr Kent would contact me eventually. I was the last person in the country with the surname Dankworth. As my eyes read over the email again, I laughed to myself, this had been easier than I initially thought.

Neelix stalked past the black bag, rubbing up against it, he then stopped and pulled out his claws, pulling at the plastic material.

I stood up fast in an attempt to scare him, knocking my coffee over my laptop in the process. I swore and grabbed at some tissues, watching as the black liquid slowly absorbed. I would forever be cleaning up my own mess.

^source

My beloved angel

At least I managed to get as much coffee out, I didn't dare turn it on and I thought about taking it to a technician immediately, but I couldn't risk a stranger knowing the contents of Kent's mail, it was when I remembered Isabella, a good neighbor who has the habit of giving me desserts every time she prepares one, has a small electronics workshop at home, I'm sure it will help me.

I see constantly through the window, the anxiety doesn't let me breathe normally, I feel a slight tremor in my hands, finally, Isabella opened her workshop, I went there and received me with tenderness as always, I told her only what was necessary, and I asked her to retrieve the information from my emails, I saw her withdraw the keyboard and do other things, she was seen as a true expert, with her fine hair and slim figure, and I realized that I had never taken the time to observe Isabella, and although I wanted to tell her what was happening to me, I preferred not to, perhaps I would put her at risk.

I heard her say terms I don't even know:

"mother card burned"

"hard drive saved"

All he wanted was to retrieve that mail, noticing my enormous interest and without asking any questions, he took his laptop and assembled it with my pieces and told me to use it as long as I wanted.

I returned home relieved, I turned on the laptop waiting for news from Kent, while I opened the folder of images and started looking at some photos, I cried like a child, it still hurts me deeply, if this had happened before, he would be alive. When I woke up I felt serene, and sent a positive response to Kent, and to my surprise, in a matter of minutes he sent me an email, asking me where we could meet that same day, that we had very little time and had to proceed immediately, so we arranged the place and the time.

I looked at the house before I left, the papers all over the place, the dirty cups, the half eaten food, and that's where the doorbell rings, it's Isabella who came with a candy to brighten my day, I took the opportunity to ask her to take care of Neelix, I gave her the key to my house, I returned her laptop and an envelope with a letter written by me, which she could only open if I didn't communicate with her in forty-eight hours, I wrote down her number and left.

I arrived a little earlier, saw the inscription on the tombstone, "Gregor Dankworth 2009 - 2014 my beloved angel", and crying in front of my son's grave I swore to do good to the most needy children, if I could get the money. Finally the lawyer arrived, and I laughed thinking it was easier than I thought.

The End
^{by @vida-blanca}

I am participating for the first time in this contest that I find very interesting. I hope you liked the continuation I made of the original story, please any comment is very valuable to me, thank you for reading my publication.

The people of @bananafish with their contest Finish The Story Contest - Week #51! motivates us to imagine a story, feel and express ourselves through writing.

^Source

---

Dear friends thank you for the support, we are in contact