“He and Dobb are putting the fear of God into them.” Marjorie lifted a cigarette pack from her bag. “They’re misleading shareholders.”
“How?” Brigit asked.
“By telling them Crocket’s innovation is risky and has, at best, a fifty-fifty chance at success. And they’re touting MobiCom’s inflated purchase offer. You know,cash is king.”
“Do you have that shareholder list?” Brigit asked. Marjorie fished the papers from her computer bag. Brigit glanced at the list. “Let’s divide this up. Shareholders need to know the truth.”
“Two minutes.” Marjorie tapped out a cigarette. “Vonn got to me before I could grab a smoke. I’m going outside.” She stood. “Dobb is a damn traitor. We need a knight in shining armor.”
Brigit whipped her head around. “What did you say?”
“I’m going to smoke,” Marjorie replied.
“No, the other part.”
“Dobb is a traitor.”
Brigit jumped out of her chair and immediately grabbed her side. “Ow! I remember! Mitus Conglomerate has to take Francesco private. Colton, you have to be Francesco’s White Knight.”
Colton shook his head. “I ruled that out. Too risky.”
Marjorie rolled her eyes. “Wait, didn’t we vote?” Brigit asked and Marjorie nodded.
“You don’t get to choose, Colton,” said Brigit.
“I damn well do,” he replied. “It’s my money we’d use to purchase Francesco.”
On a huff, Brigit looked at Marjorie. “What was the outcome?”
“The majority chose White Knight.” Marjorie checked her email. “One vote for each of the following: Killer Bees, Pac-Man and Poison Pill.”
Brigit snorted. “Those aren’t the best strategies to stop this hostile takeover. Marjorie, why don’t you have that smoke, then we’ll call the shareholders?” Brigit ambled toward her office. “Colton, this situation is screaming for a White Knight.”
“Listen to your crack wealth manager.” Marjorie followed.
Brigit opened the French doors and the two women stepped onto the patio. Marjorie lit up and they stood in silence.
“That’s me,” Brigit whispered, holding up the report. “I’m Spider Holdings.”
Marjorie’s eyes grew wide. “Coming home, after all.” She inhaled, turned away and blew out the smoke.
Brigit’s shoulders drooped. “That had been the plan, but I’m about to lose Francesco all over again.”
“No, honey, you’re saving the company. MobiComcannotwin. They’ll make tens of millions on Crockett Boxes and Francesco will become a postscript. Sammy and Nick would be proud of you.” Marjorie finished her cigarette, stomped it out and threw it away.
The women worked at Brigit’s conference table. After dividing the list, they started calling Francesco shareholders. While some pledged their support, others only agreed to attend the upcoming shareholder meeting. Brigit expected Colton would join them, but he remained in his office. Something was definitely wrong.
Late afternoon, Vonn poked his head into Brigit’s office. “Ten minutes to departure, Marjorie.”
“If anyone can get through to him, it’s you.” Marjorie packed up and gently hugged Brigit. “Full recovery. That’s an order.” Marjorie traipsed into Colton’s office, said goodbye and left.
Brigit stood in his doorway. “Can I have a word?”
He shot her a stern look over his shoulder. “Don’t try to convince me.”
Hands on hips, she stood in front of his desk. “I know my limitations. One of them is swaying the most stubborn, most controlling man I’ve ever met.” She parked herself in the guest chair. “I do have one good piece of news.”
He perked up. “Montgomery slithered into his hole.”
