"Listen," I said, listening to the idea coming into my head, "listen. These descendants of your mother's relatives—they did inherit money because your father died. Maybe they feel grateful to me. Maybe they would help me. Would you help me try to talk to them?"
"Yes," Miss Tompkins said, and she used a dial on the machine.
It was as simple as putting through a phone call.
"We really understand your situation," Mr. Grimes-Tompkins said. "But it would take quite a bit to buy off the Hexers. However, we certainly appreciate the killing you made for us."
"Couldn't you buy off the Hexers, then, with some of the money I brought to your side of the family?" I asked.
"We don't appreciate it that much."
"What? You aren't going to pay him back for killing my father?" Miss Tompkins cried, outraged.
"Look," I said, "if you had some money of mine, would you pay off the Hexers for me? You do still use money up there, don't you?"
"We certainly do, young man. Just what did you have in mind?"
"If I gave you authorization now to use any assets I have in your time, would it be legal?"