After last night, she'd likely have jumpedChase as soon as he walked in the door, and the dishwasher wouldhave gone uninstalled yet again. She should probably leave him timeto consider her proposal first.
They'd had a good time installing thedishwasher anyway. They'd joked and laughed and worked welltogether, as they had when they were kids. She enjoyed the familiarand knew things would change for all of them if she changed thedynamics and slept with Chase. "No, I'll figure out the keys. I'vebeen busy all week and probably misplaced them. It's just been along week."
Aiden eyed his sister, knowing there wasmore. Thankfully, he didn't prod. Maddy watched him join Chase onthe deck, both putting their feet up and apparently relaxing. Now,if only she could do the same.
13
Anxious to avoid Maddy, Chase neatly made himselfquite busy at work over the next week. He researched other fishingtowns to see how they stayed afloat in years where fishing waspoor. Adding a storefront could increase the traffic to the end ofBeachside Avenue so tourists could pick up some fresh local seafoodstraight from the docks.
Adding a charter fishing boat would be aperfect first step, and he already knew of few crew members thatwould jump on the opportunity, but they’d need to hire a few more.Folks with charisma and good instincts. Those who could entertainthe guests, even if the fish weren’t biting. He’d have to gathersome legal expertise on taking the public out on the water. Chasefelt excited at the idea of bringing something positive to thecommunity.
He drew up a formal proposal includingfisheries trends and financial projections for the next five yearsto present to Frank when he returned from Italy. He made somepertinent spreadsheets to analyze the numbers in detail. Just toshow off, he made a brief PowerPoint presentation including photosfrom similar operations around the country including charts andfigures showing their successes and failures. It would take a fewyears to pay itself off, but the eventual payoff would besignificant. He’d have to inquire about advertising in touristmagazines.
A knock at the door interrupted Chase as headded some finishing touches to the presentation. It was Brent, thereceptionist. "Hey Chase, there are some gentlemen from Briggs andJohnson Law Firm here to see you, says it's something about thedocks and the processing plant."
"Any idea what they want?" Chase looked upfrom his screen. He had no idea who Briggs and Johnson were, norwhy they would be making a surprise visit.
"They wouldn't say, said they wanted to talkdirectly to you. Said it was urgent, about the safety of ourbuildings.” Brent shrugged, unsure how to even respond.
"Frank's in charge, if they have any officialbusiness, it would need to go through him." Chase shook his head.He knew Frank would support any decision he might make, but Frankwas still in charge and should be present for any officialmeetings. "They need to schedule an appointment for when he's backin the office."
"I tried to tell them that, but they said itcan’t wait."
Chase recognized defeat. Slim chance he'd beable to hold these guys off until Frank returned, and what if therewas something that couldn’t wait? He debated calling Aiden butdecided to feel them out first. Chase knew he could hold his own,but he wouldn’t hesitate to call Aiden if anything felt off. "Fine,send them back." He stayed behind his desk as a power play. Letthem know they were interrupting his day.
Brent came back with three men in veryimpressive suits holding leather briefcases. Dylan was among them.Chase was not one to be intimidated by suits, briefcases, or fancytitles. Had he known Dylan was among them, he would have refusedthe meeting entirely. He pretended to ignore Dylan, knowing Dylanwould be expecting attention. "Gentleman. I am sure you havepressing business, or you would not have waited until a few daysafter Mr. McAllister left to pay us a visit.”
The trio was a bit awkward. The front of thetrio was a wiry, slick dressed attorney in a pressed navy suit withred power tie. He must be the silver tongue of the group. Dylan wassimilarly attired, but his smirk was downright obnoxious. The thirdof them looked to be more of a hired thug, hugely muscled, andlooking more at his surroundings than at Chase.
The man in the front of the trio spoke first,introducing himself as Nielsen. "Mr. Anderson, we know your companyis… troubled. Your equipment is outdated and you’re barely passinginspections. We have a superb business opportunity that will easeyour worries."
Chase stared unblinking at the man, refusingto acknowledge his insults.
The man cleared his throat and began again,"I'll get right to the point. This is an old, run-down processingplant with some boats that are even older. We can shut you downtoday if we want to. We'd rather do this fairly and offer you abuyout at a reasonable price." This guy surprisingly presentedhimself well.
But he vastly underestimated Chase if hethought his threats were going to help his case. If they'd donetheir homework, rather than listening to what was likely Dylan'sdelusional plan, they might have considered a different approach –or found a different location entirely.
Chase laughed humorously, "And what's yourplan? Buy out our land and docks, for what, a cruise-line stop? Notinterested. We’re a solid company; your price is irrelevant, we’renot for sale."
"Mr. Anderson, I don't think you're hearingus. We can have this place shut down before Frank McAllister getsback. I doubt he’ll want to return to find his company in shambles,his people out of work." Dylan’s smirk was so big, Chase wassurprised he wasn’t giggling maniacally. Chase held eye contactwith Nielsen, still refusing to even look at Dylan. Just to pisshim off.
Chase held a straight face. He was genuinelysurprised at their boldness; these guys were little more thangoons. He calmly responded, "I don't think you're understanding me.You won't shut us down. We pass all inspections and run a damn goodbusiness. Thanks so much for coming in today. If there becomes areason to shut us down, I'll know exactly who to blame, and who tosue for damages and lost income."
Chase finally looked straight at Dylan andhis comically giddy expression. Chase's expression was firm butsedate, his voice steady, “You're not welcome in this town anymore.You clearly have a personal reason for wanting to destroy people'slivelihoods. I'm going to make sure you don't succeed,” Chasepaused, wanting to warn off Dylan to stay away from Maddy, butrealized boldly threatening him in front of witnesses might not bethe best thing for McAllister Fisheries, or for Maddy. He moved tohis office door and pointed the way out. "You can show yourselvesout. "
“You’ll be hearing from us again, Mr.Anderson, and our offer will not be so generous next time.” Thefront man confidently nodded at Chase. He tossed his business cardon Chase’s desk before leading the way out.
Chase was seething as the men finally left.He stood and walked the few steps to the window, looking out at thedocks. There were plenty of other towns, many hurting for business,who would benefit from cruise-line stop, or even a “generous”buy-out. Whatever their motives, they weren’t respectablebusinessmen. They were awfully confident – how many businesses didthis bullshit work on? He’d have to call Aiden and see what theycould do about their thinly veiled threats to shutdown McAllisterFisheries.
He was positive that Dylan was up tosomething other than business, and Chase couldn’t shake the feelingthat it involved Maddy. There had been a strange, viciousness abouthim that Chase hadn't seen very often. Something was not rightabout that man. Thinking of that asshole with Maddy was more thanhe could bear. The way Maddy had reacted when he even mentionedDylan to her yesterday. There was a lot Maddy wasn't tellinghim.
Preparing for battle, Chase closed his officedoor and plopped down into his cushioned chair. He immediatelycalled Aiden. He knew McAllister Fisheries could withstand thestorm but wanted his legal expertise just to cover his bases. Maybehe could wheedle some more information about Maddy out of him whilehe was at it.
14
The following Tuesday morning, Maddy popped intoFlotsam Antiques. She'd been restless. She knew Chase was avoidingher, and she didn't blame him. Her intentions were quite clear, andshe hadn't waited to hear his response, fearing he’d refuseher.
The ball was in his court now. But he wastaking his sweet time deciding. She hoped the delay wasn’t himwaiting around to let her down easy. Maybe Payson would be able tohelp her brainstorm how to move this along. Her poor imaginationwas running wild, and she was running out of batteries around thehouse.
