Unscrupulous

Written for a comp with a strict 300 word limit.

To Warren R Sowle a director of Tawle Storey & Phibbs (Personal Investment Advisors) Mrs Steeles epitomised the wealthy lonely widow. Grey haired, trusting, sitting cat in lap, her knitting beside her. After a slick presentation Sowle closed the deal.

‘You see Mrs Steeles’ he simpered ‘with building land in Brazil on the edge of an urban sprawl and the population growing exponentially the value can only rise.’

Her unworldly blue eyes radiated excitement above half moon spectacles ‘Oh yes Mr Sowle I do see.’

She poured more tea ‘Well then I’d better do it Mr Sowle my grandchildren are going to university soon and the monthly income is absolutely crucial to me. ’

Sowle’s nefarious heart sang as he swung his laptop towards her. He had, of course, neglected to mention the land was useless swampland. ‘You can access your account from here Mrs Steeles, transfer the money right away before the share price goes up yet again’ he smiled obsequiously.

‘Oh dear I can’t use one of those’ she produced a Coutts Bank cheque book; his eyes lit up. One needed half a million just to open an account with the Queen’s bankers.

Sowle’s bladder had been steadily filling throughout the meeting and now he was desperate ‘may I use your lavatory Mrs Steeles?

‘Certainly, it’s in the hall, I’ll be making out the cheque.’

‘Mrs Steeles? Mrs Steeles I can’t seem to get out.’

‘One moment Mr Sowle’ minutes ticked by.

‘Mrs Steels?’

‘Sorry dear, arthritis, makes me rather slow. I’ve been meaning to get that catch fixed.’

                                                                   *******

‘How did it go mother?’ gone the grey wig, spectacles and twenty years.

‘Brilliantly darling everything needed was in his laptop; took him for £452,000.  I even got paid for the house sitting. That diuretic worked wonders in his tea.’