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“Fair enough,” he said. “Right this way.”
Conner escorted me down a long hallway to the study. It was a manly room with a high ceiling, plank floors, dark paneling, rich mahogany and leather furniture, and one wall lined with floor-to-ceiling book cases.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding,” I said, glancing around the room. “This is very manly… so not you.”
“Hey, I’m manly,” he said with a grin. “To prove it, I’m going to make us a late lunch while you make your call. I assume you’ll eat soup and salad?”
“A very manly meal,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Would you prefer I go trap something?” he asked. “Or take the boat out and catch a giant tuna?”
“No, no, soup and salad are fine,” I said. “No dressing.”
“Yes, madam.” He gave a playful bow and backed out of the room, closing the heavy double doors behind him.
There was a huge mahogany desk in front of the wide windows that looked out over the ocean. The desk was neat and tidy, as if it had never been used. I sat in the high-backed leather chair with my phone between my hands. I pressed the button to Facetime Uncle Allen and waited for the call to connect. He answered on the first ring.
“Hi, there, Katie O’Hara,” he said, holding up his phone so I could just see part of his face. What is it with older people? They never knew how to hold the phone to Facetime.
“I can’t see you,” I said. “Hold the phone in front of your face.”
He moved the phone so his face was somewhat framed in the video, then gave me a big smile and asked, “How is the meeting going?”
“Actually, we’re done,” I said, glancing at my watch. It was just after three o’clock. Our review took less than two hours. I regretted calling Uncle Allen so quickly. I was sure he would think I hadn’t done my job thoroughly.
“Really? You’re done? So soon?” I saw him frown over the video. “I thought it would take much longer.”
“Well, your attorney had done a great job,” I said in my defense, although I did wonder if I sped through the process too quickly in anticipation of doing other things with Conner.
No, dammit, I had been very thorough.
I said, “I pressed him on what happens after the deal is done, and he was adamant that there would be no move to oust you as CEO or move the manufacturing offshore. He said it was not something they had even considered.”
“Those guys can say whatever they want,” Allen said. “It’s what can be enforced legally that matters.”
“He is willing to put that in the agreement,” I said.
“He is?”
“He is.”
“And you believe him?”
“I do,” I said. “And as you say, if it’s in the contract he can’t do much about it. Your job as CEO is safe, as are the jobs of your people.”
“Well, that’s… great.” He said it like he still didn’t believe it.
“He seems very dedicated to your legacy, Uncle Allen,” I said. “I believe he’ll do what he says. If it’s in the agreement, he won’t have a choice.”
“Okay, well, that’s good to know,” he said with a relieved sigh. He took a moment, then frowned into the camera. “Did you mention anything about my health?”
“No, of course not,” I said, glancing at the door. The doors were closed, and I didn’t think Conner would eavesdrop, but I brought the phone closer to my face and lowered my voice. “That’s not my news to deliver. You can offer that news when you’re ready to do so.”
“Do you think I should say something before we close the deal?” he asked. “I mean, I feel a little guilty not telling them that my cancer is back.”
“You’re not dying, Uncle Allen,” I said. “You’re not going to leave them high and dry.”
“No, but it will probably be the end of my reign at Benson Digital.”
