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“Excellent,” Kiki said, perking up. “For a few weeks, I want you to be more of a receptionist,” she said, pointing to a minimalist maple desk near the front of the gallery. “Consider it a training period. You’ll greet clients and customers and then shadow me as I make the sale. Many of our clients are long-standing collectors of my father’s work; they usually contact me in advance of their arrival at the gallery. But new customers—they’re the ones that need a bit more massaging and coaxing, and the ones I want you to pay closest attention to.”
“Got it.” In other words, they have to be flattered and praised. Could she do this? It seemed so phony.
Kiki checked her phone. “I don’t have a client for a couple of hours. Let’s use this time to review my father’s catalog and educate you in the finer points of his art.”
CHAPTER 17
FINN
“No problem. I’ll be right there.” Finn hung up his desk phone and thumbed through the stack of folders on his desk. He was on a strict deadline with each of these legal cases, and the last thing he had time for was an unscheduled meeting with Reed Chilton. Mary and Reed had finished a meeting with the gala planning committee and Reed had asked to meet Finn. Mary wanted Finn to come to the conference room to speak to a man who had every reason to despise Patrick O’Connor.
Finn slipped his jacket on, adjusted his tie, and left for the conference room.
He walked with purpose down the hall, collecting himself for whatever was going to come his way from Reed. Finn had faced this situation before as many people openly confronted him, especially in the early days after his father’s arrest. Finn had done everything humanly possible to fix the financial fallout his father had caused for so many people, but he couldn’t always change opinions.
He arrived at the office door, rolled his shoulders, and knocked before entering.
“Good afternoon, Finn. Thank you for taking time away from your work to join us,” Mary said. Her sarcastic tone suggested she wasn’t happy about Reed’s demand to meet with him and he was grateful for her support.
“Finn O’Connor.” Reed extended his hand for a shake. Reed was late middle-aged but trim with broad shoulders and a full head of dark hair.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Chilton.”
“Please, call me Reed,” he said, directing Finn to a chair.
The three of them took seats around one end of the conference table.
Mary thankfully broke the silence. “Reed wanted to meet you before the gala.”
“Yes, I did.” Reed took a few moments to hold eye contact with Finn. His eyes were steady and direct.
Finn kept his focus on Reed, folded his hands on the desk, and waited for him to speak. Reed wanted this meeting and Finn’s best strategy was to remain calm, answer questions but avoid any unnecessary conversation. Over the years, he learned how to mentally dress himself in a suit of armor and allow his father’s victims to vent their anger without taking the blame for his father’s actions.
“Look,” Reed said, clearing his throat. “Mary told me you’re aware of what happened with my sister. I wanted to clear the air and assure you I don’t have a grudge against you. I’ve been impressed by your work with the foundation and wanted to reassure you that I have full confidence in your position here.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Finn’s muscles relaxed. Everything would be okay.
“I’m glad we have that out of the way,” he got to his feet. “Oh, by the way, I understand you went to prep school with my nephew.”
“Who’s that?”
“Cole Browning. He’s my sister’s son.”
“Is that right?” Cole had been a bully who had tormented countless kids throughout school. His father died when Cole was an infant, leaving his mother to raise him on her own. Unfortunately, her broker chose to invest in O’Connor Real Estate Ventures. “What’s he up to these days?”
“Cole works for me. He’s a CPA in my finance department.”
“That’s great.”
“He’s had his struggles.”
“I’m glad he’s doing well now,” Finn replied with sincerity. Cole had been a bully, but he was a smart kid; someone who grew up expecting to assume his father’s role as a director at a prominent private equity firm. This was another example of the damage Finn’s father hadcaused. Cole had never been a friend, but Finn had empathy for his former classmate.
“Anyway, I’m looking forward to raising a lot of money for the foundation.” Reed gave Finn a sharp glance, “I understand you prefer to avoid social functions, and I’m glad you’re attending this year. However,” he paused, “I don’t want you to attend alone.”
“You want me to bring a date?” What difference did it make if Finn brought a date or not? It was a business function, not the high school prom.
“Yes. And I hope you don’t mind me saying this but your past reputation with women was rather notorious.”
