“Jake, I really want to offload some of my businesses. I want to consolidate, keep things closer together. There isn’t the cash flow here to buy me out so I’m just going to transfer my shares to you, okay? Call it an early Christmas gift,” he said.
I had the feeling that Jake was assuming the worst when the meeting started and his face when it ended was the opposite. A broad grin showed off straight teeth that had a permanent toothpick wedged between them. He chewed on it, flicking it from side to side. When he spoke, it was through those gritted teeth and I wondered if he actually had his jaw wired shut at one point. However, he gave a yelp of surprise, the toothpick fell to the floor. Only then did I notice quite a few dotted around. I laughed; his surprise was infectious. He pumped my hand and thanked me over and over, not that it was my decision for Mackenzie to just give him the business.
“Well, that was a surprise,” I said when we left.
Mackenzie shrugged his shoulders. “Not much more I could do, to be honest. My shares aren’t worth that much and he’s about to be a father again soon. I can’t say I’ll do that the next stop though. Be ready for some…interestingpeople and a not so friendly welcome,” he winked and laughed.
He was right. We entered a factory and were, initially, ignored or sneered at. Mackenzie strode around, greeting workers warmly. One or two returned that, but sheepishly as if they’d be caught and punished. Some just gave a brief nod. The factory manufactured universal car parts, bolts and wheel nuts, that kind of thing. I knew that it had initially belonged to his father and wasstolenfrom him by his father-in-law. That was until Mackenzie ended up with the majority of shares.
We climbed a metal staircase and walked along a corridor that held a series of offices. At the end it opened up.
“Well, hello, there,” a female voice said. I looked over to see another blonde, although a stunner, nowhere near as beautiful as Gabriella.
“Addison, meet my partner, Alex.” Mackenzie had never referred to me as his partner before and I wasn’t, but I knew who Addison was.
She slid from the desk she had been perching on and walked over with her hand out. I took it and shook. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Alex. I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said.
“The pleasure is all mine. And I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” I replied, bowing my head.
“I hope it was all good,” she answered with a giggle. I didn’t reply.
“Where is he?” Mackenzie asked, looking around at empty desks.
“Flying. He has a new plane to try out,” she replied.
She walked over to Mackenzie and placed her hands on his lapels, she stroked one as if removing a piece of lint.
He held her wrists and slowly removed them. “He knew we were meeting today,” Mackenzie said, anger laced his voice.
She shrugged. “I guess he had better things to do,” she said, smiling. She made my skin itch.
“Not a problem, we’ll just get on. We’d like two coffees,” he said, and then turned his back on her. He beckoned to me to follow and I tried not to laugh. Her mouth had fallen open and her eyes were wide with outrage.
We walked into an office that could have been taken off the set of Dallas. Wood panelled walls held the stuffed heads of deer and bears. Red carpet lined the floor and there was a large, dark oak sideboard with crystal cut decanters. Even I, not having any interior design skills, would have put this back into the eighties.
“Shall we?” Mackenzie said, waving at a sofa. We were soon joined by some of the accounts team.
Secretaries gathered files and coffee was offered. Addison had disappeared. When we had all that we needed, I compared the figures we had to the ones we were shown. Since our meeting appeared to be a surprise to the accounts team, the documents didn’t match. An interrogation ensued. I asked the head of accounts to explain why the figures we were being sent were lower than the ones printed off. The company was doing far better than we were being made aware of.
It was also discovered that Addison was an employee paid an extortionate salary.
“What does she do here?” I asked.
“Erm, I’m not sure,” came the answer. “Fire her,” Mackenzie said.
Four men looked between themselves, not one was sure on what to say or do.
“Or keep her, I don’t care, actually,” he added. “What we’re here for is to let you know that I’m removing myself from this business. I intend to sell my shares on the open market.”
Again, the four men looked between themselves.
“I think we’re done here?” he said, looking at me. I asked for some photocopies of accounts, and a secretary rushed off. I then nodded.
Half an hour later we were back in the car. “I knew he wouldn’t be there,” Mackenzie said.
“Who, exactly?”
“Her father. He’s the one who runs that business.”
