Another pause.“Would you like to hold on a second or for me to call you back?”
“I’ll hold.”
Beeping on the line. Then a few clicks. Then Martin’s voice again.
“Mr. King? Mr. Wrong is on the line.”
“Well, well, well,”Wrong’s voice comes through.“The mighty has fallen after all. Are you willing to talk about the deal now?”His gleeful voice grates on my nerves. “I’ve heard you’re in a bit of a pickle, and Lebovski got you after all.”
Without knowing, he just confirmed my suspicion.
“Yes.” I hate myself for doing this, but I have no choice.
“Good. Good,”he cackles.“The requirements are still the same.”
“I figured.”
“We’re vacationing in French Polynesia, as you’re aware, I’m sure. Come here.”
I count to five, so I don’t explode before speaking. “I can’t go ona vacation. I have a company to save.”
“If you want the shares, you’ll come. Have your secretary reach out to mine for the details.”
With that, he hangs up.
“Do you want your secretary to reach out to his?”Martin asks through the phone quietly. I knew he was listening. Martin and my brother are the only ones aware of this stupid situation to the full extent.
“Yes,” I sigh. “And book me the jet.”
“Right away.”
Next, I dial my brother. “I’m going through with it,” I say as soon as I hear him pick up the phone.
A pause.“Are you sure?”
“We don’t have a choice. You’re coming too.”
“Okay.”
I hang up, too mad to talk about anything else.
Martin calls a few minutes later.“The jet is in Chicago.”
“In Chicago?”
“Yes.”Martin’s tone turns careful.“Leonard Lebovski took it for his trip.”
“Why the fuck did he take my jet for his trip?” I yell, knowing it’s not Martin’s fault.
“I’m trying to figure this out, but currently the jet is not here. Do you want me to book you a commercial flight?”
“I don’t have a choice now, do I?” I growl.
“One second, stay on the line. I had a feeling you’d want at least something, so I’ve got the earliest flights ready to go.”After a few clicks, he speaks.“Noah’s leaving tonight. You’ll be leaving tomorrow.”
“Why not together?” We sure could use this time to discuss the situation.
“You have two meetings today, and one is with the city. We don’t want to reschedule that one.”
