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She’s safe.
I close my eyes and finally start to drift to the place I’ve been unable to get for too long.
I FOUND OUT on the drive from the airport to Layton Oil Brasilia that Caspar increased his bid by millions. He overpaid significantly because he didn’t believe Dayna would withdraw her bid. He won the well, but he’ll never make a profit.
“I hope winning is enough,” I whisper to myself as I sit in the boardroom, the directors of my Brazilian operations around the table with me.
“Clark, did you have something to say?”
I shake my head at Pablo, who’s standing by a whiteboard, discussing figures for our nascent offering in South America. “Thinking aloud, Pablo. Please continue.”
Why didn’t she bid? Did I get through to her? She wanted the well so much, but she pulled out. It doesn’t matter why she did it; she’ll be hurting.
Caspar will inevitably turn a loss, but he won’t bleed the way she wanted him to bleed.
Is this revenge enough?
Will she come after my father?
If Caspar makes a loss, will he seek his own vengeance?
As Pablo continues to discuss the prospects for Layton Oil Brasilia, it occurs to me: I just don’t give a shit anymore. I want nothing to do with it. Not Layton Oil. Not my father.
They took from me the only thing I’ve ever truly wanted.
I hate him.
I hate his company.
Pablo finishes up and, after saying my thanks to the directors for the work they’re doing out here, I make a swift exit.
I swing by my hotel to change into jeans and a t-shirt then head out to a bar. For the first time in days, I think I could stomach food. I order Portuguese marinated steak and sit outside on the veranda of the grill, overlooking the sea.
I sip a bottle of Corona and lean back in my seat as the sun sets on another day. Another day without her.
At least she’s safe.
I WAKE AT five, glad to have had some sleep. I throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt then head down to the beach. I run close to the shoreline where the sand is tougher under my feet. I run until the sun rises.
When I’m spent, I sit down on the sand and watch the waves crashing onto shore. I plan my next move. No matter what comes down the river, there’s at least one card in my hand I intend to play.
I’m done with my father’s company.
I’m done with him.
When I get back to my hotel room, my iPhone is ringing. “Ted, how is she?”
“I’ve known her be worse.”
“That’s something.”
“I guess so. She feels like she gave up on her old man. But I think she knows it was the right thing to do.”
“Have you seen her?”
“Rachel spent the night with her yesterday. She’s taken a leaf out of your book and found answers in the bottom of a bottle for now.”
“It’s better than the potential alternatives.”
