May 25, 1906Van Sant & WilsonSterling, Illinois4:45 pm There was a knock at my office door. “Come in.” The door opened slightly. Miss Delp stuck her head in. “Mr. Van Sant to see you, Mr. Wilson.“Please show him in.” The door opened wider to admit Nick, who started a bit […]
May 25, 1906Van Sant & WilsonSterling, Illinois There are black circles under my eyes; a wrinkled red crease impressed on my cheek from my coat. I’d used it as a pillow, wadded up under my head, to sleep on my office sofa. I don’t remember doing that; hell. I don’t […]
May 24, 1906State Bank of SterlingSterling, Illinois The last bank customer had left over an hour ago; Nicholas Van Sant’s private secretary was straightening his desk and packing his briefcase prior to leaving. Frank came over to his desk. Howard glanced at Nicholas Van Sant’s closed door, turned to Frank, […]
May 18, 1906Sterling State BankSterling, Illinois At 11:45 a.m., Frank Heflebower was climbing the stairs of the Van Sant & Wilson law firm, a little out of breath as he labored under the heavy ledgers. “Good morning, Mr. Heflebower. Thank you for being prompt,” said Miss Delp, who simultaneously stood, […]
May 18, 1906Sterling State BankSterling, Illinois As Frank went back to his desk, he thought about contacting some of the other merchants whose receipts appeared doctored; again, he glanced at the clock on the wall. There wasn’t much time. All Frank needed was proof from just one merchant that there […]
May 18, 1906Sterling State BankSterling, Illinois Business was as usual in the pleasant, expensively equipped, and spacious lobby of the State Bank of Sterling, on the corner of Locust and East Third Street. The bright sun streamed through the large plate glass windows of the bank. The lobby was largely […]
March 14, 2021Chevy Chase, Maryland At this point in Emmett’s story, he’s been in Illinois three months. Although he’s been Nick Van Sant’s law partner since January 1, 1906, Emmett wasn’t able to ‘practice law’ until he had passed the Illinois state bar examination in February, 1906. That doesn’t mean […]
March 13, 19066:45 pmLaw Offices of Van Sant & WilsonSterling, Illinois When I returned to Sterling later that evening, I went right to the office. Miss Delp had already left for the day. I was still somewhat panicked — obviously, I couldn’t tell Nick about what happened. I didn’t know […]
March 13, 1906Morrison, Illinois It was a fancy dinner at an exclusive club; fine food and vintage wines were served. I was not the only one drinking wine with the group; initially, I had declined. But the other fellows pressed me, as it was part of the celebration. “How will […]
March 12, 1906Morrison, Illinois I am in Morrison, Illinois for circuit court. Nick and Ella are in LeClaire, Iowa; Nick’s mother passed on March 6, and he and Ella have been staying at the family home, taking care of estate business. His brothers are present; the Van Sant family interests […]
