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She smiled. “Dante Fucking Escarra.”
31
Dante entered the Hilderbrandt Plaza with lengthy strides. The shoeshine stands were still there and able to accommodate three customers at a time. At the moment, there was only one man getting his shoes shined. Concerned with reading his phone, he didn’t pay attention to the man shining his shoes. The old guy moved swiftly and with the dexterity of someone who’d done the repetitious task for years.
Dante took the elevator to the top floor, thinking about how he’d longed for this moment for more than thirteen years. He’d salivated for it. There were times he never thought he’d get here, and after last month, he was certain the opportunity was completely out of reach. But here he was, on his way to achieving the one goal he had chased for over a decade.
He exited the elevator on the top floor of Hilderbrandt Plaza and a pleasant looking older woman stepped forward with a welcoming smile. “Hello, Mr. Escarra. They’re waiting for you in the conference room. Right this way.”
She walked ahead of him to the end of the wide corridor. Soon this would all be his. The adrenaline rush of closing a deal was addictive, and excitement flowed through his veins in anticipation.
The windowed wall showed only one person in the conference room. When he entered, she rose from the chair at the head of the table.
“Mr. Escarra, nice to meet you. I’m Takia Jones, and I’ll be overseeing the closing for the transfer of the property.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Jones.” Dante shook her hand, and they both sat down.
The older woman quietly left the room.
“Mr. Hilderbrandt is on his way. There’s coffee over there, if you like,” Takia said, pointing to a coffee pot and cups nearby.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“You’re ready to wrap this up, I guess,” she said with a knowing smile.
“Something like that.” He smiled back.
“I understand. I never thought I’d see the day when the Hilderbrandt Plaza would be removed from the family. But I guess it’s just time.”
“I understand Nolson did not want to sell,” Dante said.
“No, he didn’t,” she confirmed, with a rueful shake of her head. “The chemicals market has changed a lot and is very competitive. From what I understand, Mr. Hildebrandt’s creditors have been less than understanding about his slow bill paying—allegedly.”
“I’m sure it’s been difficult for him. A man of his stature having to sell something of such importance and value not only to his family but the community at large. Perhaps the infusion of cash will soften the blow of his loss.”
“Perhaps, although you negotiated quite a deal.” The attorney glanced at the papers in front of her.
Because Annabelle had hinted he would move on if Nolson didn’t move quickly, Dante had been able to turn the screws and secure a better price when they negotiated the sale.
“I was lucky,” he said.
She arched an eyebrow. “Lucky? Everyone knows who you are. You saw an opportunity and took advantage, and no one could blame you. You’d be a fool to pass up this property.”
“And I am no fool,” Dante said, relaxing into the chair.
Minutes later, Nolson strode into the room, head high. “Dante, I hope you didn’t have to wait too long.”
“Not at all. I only arrived a few minutes ago.”
“Good, good.” Nolson sat heavily in the chair, as if relieved to be off his feet. “Well, it took us long enough to get here, didn’t it?”
“Yes, it did,” Dante said evenly.
Nolson smiled at Tracy. “I’m ready to get started.”
For the next hour, both men signed contracts in duplicate for the transfer of the building, and as he slid each piece of paper across the table, the drum of excitement beat louder in Dante’s head. When the last sheet was signed, Takia stacked them together, and an assistant entered to make copies. After she returned, Takia placed the duplicates in folders and handed a folder to each man.
“Gentlemen, we are done. Mr. Escarra, congratulations on your new property. You are now the proud owner of the largest building in Texas and the twenty-eighth largest skyscraper in the United States.”
