Another message appears before I can respond.
DMITRI: Also something else you should know.
DMITRI: Richard Francis resurfaced.
My entire body locks.
Richard Francis.
The recently-disgraced CEO of CulinaryVision. The same man who has been conveniently unreachable while FoodFirst and StreamEats fight over his company like vultures.
ME: Where?
DMITRI: Vegas.
DMITRI: He's doing a surprise TED Talk next week. Hospitality innovation conference.
I stare at the screen.
Vegas. Again.
The city apparently refuses to let me escape it.
DMITRI: Looks like his first public appearance since his recent arrest and the CulinaryVision drama started.
DMITRI: Press will be there.
DMITRI: Investors too.
The wheels in my head start turning before Dmitri even finishes typing. Because if Richard Francis is stepping into the spotlight again, it means one thing…
He's testing the waters.
ME: When exactly?
DMITRI: Thursday afternoon keynote.
DMITRI: Why?
I don't answer right away. Because something is already forming in my mind.
A conversation or a negotiation, but definitely an opportunity.
If Francis is going to be in Vegas, away from his board, away from FoodFirst's corporate lawyers, away from the entire circus surrounding his food-streaming company’s acquisition…
Then maybe I can get five minutes alone with him. Five minutes might be all it takes.
ME: Send me the event details.
DMITRI: Again, why?
ME: Because if Richard Francis is finally showing his face again…
I type the next message slowly.
ME: I'm going to be there when he does.
DMITRI: Victor…
