Fitzgerald left with a laugh, leaving the box of bones smack dab in the middle of the scrapping, snarling Dawkins, none of who gave a lick about the plastic anatomical remains. The other guests, embarrassed to see their host so humiliated and wanting no part of a Dawkins brawl, murmured excuses and toddled off to bed.
"How did you know about the Lucky Pup?" Paul spit at Joseph. "It's not listed in any of the court papers. The realtor never mentioned it."
"He must have," Ginger answered for her husband.
"How did you know, Paul?" Joseph rose from his chair, pointing an accusing finger. "You kept saying all that land up there is the same-trees and rocks."
"I must have seen the name on a map," he answered, convincing no one.
The Deans and Fred were torn between discussing Fitzgerald's blockbuster announcement and this conversation, which was becoming more interesting by the minute. Nosiness won out. They stuck around, pretending to pick up glasses and snack plates while the Dawkins four quarreled, oblivious to their presence.
"Huh!" Joseph barked. "Maybe that's why you were so damn quick to be willing to take less than fifty percent of the land!" Then he mocked in sing-song voice, "'Just as long as I get that one pretty piece with a view!'"
"Don't be a fool! I don't know anything about that land up there. How could I? We've never even seen it!" Paul lied. "I offered to take a smaller share simply to speed things up. I just want to get back to civilization."
"Bullshit! You don't have a generous bone in your body! Never have!"
Cynthia waved her hands. "Boys, we're getting a little loud here. Think of the other guests."
They turned to her, as if aware for the first time that they weren't alone. Ginger muttered an apology, but Joseph was far from finished.
"Okay," he said, turning to his brother. "I'll just turn your kindness-of-the-heart offer around. I'll take the smaller piece and let you have the sixty percent! There. Deal done." He turned to leave, grabbing a protesting Ginger by the arm.
"Not on your life!" screamed Paulette.
"Oh, no you don't! Not now," added her husband, hurrying after his brother. "If you want the parcel with the Lucky Pup on it, there's a damn good reason-something I don't know about. You're just trying to cheat us. Generosity, ha!"
"It's stupid even fighting about any of the land before we make sure that gold-digging bitch doesn't screw us and get her hands on all of it!" Paulette snarled. "After all, that's why we're here, isn't it?"