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“Can I help you?”
He looked like all the other investors that had turned me down, but I had yet to reach out to anyone new after the last rejection.
The man fixed his cufflink, dragging his gaze over the gym until he finally stepped toward me. He was tall, and had thinning hair, aging him past sixty-five at least.
“Hello, yes, are you Liam Croft?”
Placing both my hands on the counter, I nodded. “I am.”
His hand shot out. “I’m Gunther Ross. I received your name and address from a colleague of mine that had passed on financially backing your gym. I’m an old fan…and when I heard him use your name, well, I hope you don’t mind me taking it upon myself to drive down and see for myself the gym in question and make you a proposition.”
What?
I tried not to get my hopes up because this could be a scam. I mean, he literally walked right in off the street. Maybe this was a joke.
I cleared my throat. “Do you have any credentials I could see, or could we go into my office so we can talk?”
Rex walked in right as I said that and stopped midstep when he saw Gunther.
“Sorry, you in a meeting?”
I tossed a key ring over to Rex and rounded the counter.
“Yeah, can you finish opening up and watch the counter? Also, see if you can get the fans working.”
He eyed the key ring. “Sure thing, boss man.”
I showed Gunther to my office and sat across from him, hoping he didn’t mind the Barbies Mila had left behind, or all the stickers and drawing utensils Seraphina had scattered around the desk.
“Can I get you water or coffee?” I didn’t have either, but I’d figure it out even if I had to go find a cup of instant brew and use the locker room to get hot water.
Gunther waved me off. “No, thank you, though. I found a charming little diner down the way and had breakfast. I’m still full.”
Okay, it was right to business then.
“Sorry to be so forward, but can you give me a business card or…”
“Of course, here you go…and my license, just to put you at ease.”
He slid over a glossy card that said R&H Industries. I typed the web address into my computer browser so I could ensure it was legitimate.
“Industries…so you’re a part of multiple companies then, that’s usually what that type of affiliation means, right?”
Gunther placed his left leg over his right knee. “Yes, we’re currently made up of at least ten different owners, thirteen shareholders, and five CFOs. Each partner works to find businesses that need a backer or financial help. We acquire them, support them, and get them on their feet.”
That sounded similar to what Haley did…
“Right.” I held his license in front of me next. “California?”
He nodded. “Flew up to Portland yesterday and drove the rest of the way up. Nice drive.”
Handing his ID back to him, I relaxed into my chair.
“Well, I appreciate you coming all this way. What did you have in mind for my gym?”
Gunther leaned forward and handed me a portfolio.
“You’ll find the offer inside, and I think you’ll be pleased.”
