The golden pact
by Howard Eaton.
Bok Engelsk
| Annen tittel | |
|---|---|
| Utgitt | Daniel & Daniel Publishers
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| Opplysninger | "On 23 June 1977, an oil heiress dies from complications of alcoholism. She was only 50 years old. She died as a spinster without children. Her name is Caprice Jordan Taylor. She left a will. The will is straightforward: most of her estate [about $20 million U. S. dollars] is to be divided between the local hospital, the art museum, the museum of natural history, and the botanic gardens. However, her will stipulates that none of the charities can receive such gifts until they settle with her husband. The charities are stunned and enraged. Husband? What husband? Is he alive? Where does he live? If alive, what claims does he have? After a colorful search discovers the so-called husband, key facts emerge. His name is Dante Montepulciano and he lives and works in Milan, Italy. Although Dante possesses several university degrees, he lives in poverty in a Milan slum and works as an underpaid physical education teacher. Further, he has a severe head wound suffered as an officer in the Italian army in Rommel's North Africa campaigns. His wound causes him migraine headaches and, sometimes, cerebral commotion. They meet in the mid 1960s and fall in love in Italy. But after three years, their relationship ends on a sour note: Caprice resumes her destructive drinking habit. However, they sign a pact [The Golden Pact] wherein Dante promises to care for her. By this time Caprice has slipped back deeply into alcoholism. Then Caprice drunk and in a rage commits a most offensive act, causing Dante to leave. Four days of depositions are arranged. They are held in Milan but under California law, starting in October 1979. The charity lawyers intend to destroy Dante's claim as the husband. Dante wants to make certain that the charities honor Caprice. [By this time, the estate has a stock market value of about $60 million U. S. dollars, heightening the charities' interest and adding pressure on their lawyers.] The ending is about settlement, honor, and Dante's death"--
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| Emner | |
| Dewey | |
| ISBN | 1-56474-826-X
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