CHAPTER 14 (Going on the Offense)
As we had done before, the three of us sat at the kitchen table.
“I learned quite a lot today. To begin with, the numbered company owns the factory that Steve and I just visited. Steve confirmed also that the component he made is in the factory and is working beautifully.”
“How does that change things?” Maria asked.
“With your permission, I’m going to recommend that we go on the offense with Schenteck. The first step will be for me to attend at the offices of G. W. Schenteck Inc. and inform Guenther Schenteck that you will be commencing a second lawsuit against G. W. Schenteck Inc. for payment of the full contract price.”
“We don’t have the money required even to file any lawsuit,” Maria moaned.
“At this point in time, I just want to meet Mr. Schenteck and throw down the gauntlet. Later this week or early next week I’m going to register on the office property title a notice of pending litigation, which is formally called a lis pendens here in Nevada.”
“How is that going to help us?” Steve asked hesitantly.
“It’s really just a diversion. The main weapon in our arsenal will be filed against the factory we just visited but I’m waiting until next Tuesday to register it. Nothing may come of anything we do but at least we’ve got a tiny bit of leverage now. With any luck Schenteck will cough up at least some of the money he owes you. If not, then you’ll be no worse off than you are already.”
“I guess you’re right,” Maria sighed.
“I need to use Steve’s computer and printer for a few minutes. Do you by any chance have a typewriter?”
“I have one,” Maria answered. “I only use it to type on small labels.”
I spent the next two hours composing a letter to Guenther Schenteck and G. W. Schenteck Inc. to be signed by Steve. In the letter I set out our legal argument as to why both Guenther and his company were implied parties to the contract signed by Guenther as President of Teckschen Limited.
I phoned the factory and asked for Becky. Coincidentally it was her who answered the phone as I expected since she was the office receptionist.
“Hello Becky. My name is Scott Carling. I was told to contact you in order to obtain the full legal name of the new owner of your facility. We don’t want to make an error with the signage.”
“Where would I find that information, sir?”
“I expect that the new owner’s letterhead should contain its proper name.”
“Oh sure; let me see what I’ve got on the computer.”
Within thirty seconds, Becky had located a letter from the new owner and informed me that the company name was ADVANCITECH.
I made sure that she spelled it out for me.
“Who in that company signed the letter?”
“It’s signed by someone named Philip Woo.”
“What address and phone number do you show for Mr. Woo?”
Becky read off the information from the letterhead and I thanked her.
It was an outfit based in San Francisco according to the letterhead.
I phoned the number and ascertained that the in-house corporate attorney was Andrew Ng and I obtained his email address and direct phone number from the receptionist at the San Francisco headquarters.
I composed an email to Mr. Ng in which I set out the circumstances of Steve’s dealings with Guenther Schenteck. I copied the email to the smart phone I was borrowing and attached a copy of the original agreement between Steve and Teckschen Limited.
I showed it to Steve and Becky.
“While I was waiting in the factory office area, I learned that Schenteck is selling that property with an effective closing date of February 14th. Next Tuesday I intend to send this email to Mr. Ng and also to register the notice of pending litigation on the property title. Guenther’s point of maximum vulnerability will be next Wednesday when the lawyers try to complete the real estate transfer. With any luck he’ll decide that it’s easier to just pay you.”
I had Steve sign the two formal notices of pending litigation as well as a separate notice vacating each document. I had used Maria’s electric typewriter to prepare those forms. Computers were great but a regular typewriter was still required sometimes to fill in forms. I had always kept one around at my own law office even after old-fashioned typewriters had become obsolete.
I took all of the signed documentation with me.
CHAPTER 15 (Guenther Schenteck)
On Tuesday morning I phoned G. W. Schenteck Inc. and asked if Guenther was working today.
The receptionist answered in the affirmative and said that she would transfer me to Mr. Schenteck’s personal assistant.
I hung up before the assistant picked up the call.
I dressed in my suit and grabbed a cab to their offices.
When I arrived I asked to see either Schenteck or his assistant.
A chap who looked to be in his early forties came to the front desk and introduced himself as Wilfred Fraunz, Mr. Schenteck’s assistant.
“My name is Scott Baxter and I’m an attorney. I have a confidential letter to deliver to Mr. Schenteck and decided that it was prudent to approach him through you.”
“Are you here to formally serve any documents on Mr. Schenteck?”
“We’re not at that stage yet. We prefer to permit your boss to digest the contents of the letter first.”
“I’ll give the letter to Mr. Schenteck.”
“That’s perfectly acceptable except that he may wish to speak with me personally once he reads the letter. It’s for his eyes only.”
“Who is your client?”
“I don’t want to divulge that information to you, sir. I’m happy to wait out here at reception while you deliver the letter to Mr. Schenteck.”
Fraunz eyed me somewhat suspiciously but then instructed me to come with him. Being an attorney was an excellent tool for getting one’s foot in the door. Practically everyone was scared of lawyers.
Fraunz took me to a small empty waiting room outside his own office and said that he’d give the letter to Mr. Schenteck and advise me whether my presence was going to be required.
I waited patiently.
In fact the letter was short and to the point. It was signed by Steven Carling and read as follows: “Unless I am in receipt of the full sum of $98,000 owed to me by Monday, the 12th day of February, 2018 at four o’clock, I will immediately thereafter bring action against G. W. Schenteck Inc., Heinz Bolter and you personally for the said money plus interest and costs. You can contact me through the cell phone number listed below my name.”
I really wasn’t expecting Schenteck to speak with me today but the main purpose of the letter was to provide him with the smart phone number. I was certain that he would be desperate to reach me next Wednesday.
Schenteck surprised me. He had Fraunz bring me into Schenteck’s office at which point Fraunz closed the door as he left.
Guenther was a big, imposing figure. He was taller than me by about four inches but bordered on being obese.
His pomposity burst forth as soon as he opened his mouth.
“Normally I wouldn’t waste time with a piece of attorney scum but I was curious to see for myself what sort of bumbling idiot would represent Steve Carling.”
“Technically I’m not Steve’s lawyer. I’m just an agent of his who decided to wipe that smirk off your face. Your treatment of Steve was appalling and now the cavalry has arrived to make things right again. Why would you shaft a trusting inventor like Steve? I can’t believe it had anything to do with the money.”
“I stiffed him because I could. That’s the way capitalism works. The little wimp is impotent. There’s nothing he or you can do to harm me.”
“I love it when arrogance blinds a powerful man to his vulnerabilities,” I shot back. “You’ve been given your deadline for payment. Pay up by Monday afternoon or suffer the legal and financial consequences.”
I stood up to leave.
&nb
sp; “Who the hell are you?” Schenteck snarled.
“I’m the complete opposite of Steve Carling, sir. I’m now your worthy opponent. Pay what you owe him or let the games begin.”
I opened the door and left.
When I got to the reception counter, it would have looked pathetic to ask the girl to call me a taxi so I continued walking right out of the building and down the street. I’d gone half a mile before I reached a street where I might find a cab or a bus stop.
I managed to flag down a taxi and rode back to the El Cortez.
CHAPTER 16 (Counterpunch)
Schenteck was almost apoplectic when the cheeky shyster left the office. The little twerp had actually threatened him.
He yelled for his assistant who raced into the office within seconds.
“Willy, I want you to follow that asshole. I need to find out who he is and where he lives. He insulted me and now he’s going to find out that he’s picked the wrong guy to annoy.”
“I’ll get right on it, sir.”
Willy quickly went after the lawyer and saw that the chap had just left the building and was walking toward the street.
Willy went to his own car and began following Scott Baxter. That proved to be remarkably simple since Baxter was on foot. Eventually Baxter reached West Bonanza Road where he caught a taxi. Willy tailed the cab until it dropped Baxter off at the El Cortez Hotel.
He parked his car and walked into the establishment. Baxter was nowhere to be seen but Willy went to the registration counter and learned that Baxter was a guest in the hotel.
He phoned his boss to report on what he had discovered so far.
“That means that Baxter must be from out of town,” Schenteck replied. “See what you can find out about him on the Internet.”
Willy drove back to the office and used the work computer on his desk.
The Internet pickings were mighty slim. This particular Scott Baxter wasn’t on any social media sites.
Willy called Baxter’s hotel and managed to trick the clerk in to disclosing that the Scott Baxter registered as a guest was from Belleville, Canada.
No hits surfaced for any Scott Baxter residing in that city but Willy got on the Ontario Law Society website and discovered that there was a Scott Baxter who was a paid-up member. That bit of information enabled Willy to narrow down his search and he noted that several of the attorney listing websites available on-line indicated that Scott Baxter had a law practice in Toronto.
He phoned the number shown and it was answered by a young woman.
“This is Jim Corbett’s legal office. I’m Diana. How may I help you?”
“I’m trying to reach Scott Baxter. This was the most recent phone number I had for him.”
“Mr. Corbett took over Mr. Baxter’s law office and telephone number when Scott retired last fall.”
“I see. Did you know Scott personally?”
“Yes I do. He’s a good friend of Mr. Corbett and his law office was right across the street from ours. Scott helped our office out whenever Mr. Corbett was ill or on vacation.”
“I’m an old buddy of Scott’s but I haven’t spoken with him in years. Is he still married?”
“Scott is divorced and apparently hasn’t dated anyone in the past couple of years ever since he broke up with his girlfriend. Mr. Corbett is out right now but I could have him call you when he gets back. I’m sure that he has Scott’s new address and phone number.”
“I’m just passing through Toronto. Perhaps I’ll call back next week and speak with your boss. It’s been nice speaking with you, Diana. Thanks for your help.”
Armed with this additional information, Willy scoured the Internet again and eventually located a photo of Scott Baxter. It was the same guy who had been here earlier today.
Willy went in to see his boss and updated him on what had been unearthed about Scott Baxter so far.
“Do you have any idea how Steve Carling connected with this guy?”
“I haven’t been able to ascertain that yet.”
“Baxter was pretty confident when he was here. He must have something on me but I’ve never run in to him before.”
“He might just be bluffing,” Willy shot back.
“It didn’t sound like an idle threat. I need to know what he’s got.”
“I don’t know how we can accomplish that, sir.”
“If the guy is on his own in Vegas with no wife or girlfriend back home, then he’ll likely be susceptible to a bit of pussy bait. Can you round up a professional escort who’d be willing to drug Baxter’s drink up in his hotel room? When he’s passed out, then the girl can let you in to search his room thoroughly. You may as well confiscate any evidence you find relating to me as well as any laptop or smart phone he’s got.”
“I know a lady who should fill the bill, Mr. Schenteck. I’ll get things moving right away.”
“I’ve just had another thought, Willy. You can plant some drugs in Baxter’s room when you’re in there and the girl you hire can take any money and credit cards out of his wallet. When Baxter calls the cops to report the theft, with any luck they’ll find the drugs and arrest him. That will teach him to mess with the pros.”
CHAPTER 17 (Road Trip)
I called Steve and told him about my encounter with Guenther Schenteck.
“I’m going to rent a car for a few days and drive around southern California. I’ll have your smart phone with me in case Schenteck calls, but the guy was so arrogant that I really don’t expect to hear from him until next Wednesday.”
I went to the registration counter and rebooked a room here at the El Cortez for two nights beginning on Friday. The rates were somewhat higher on the weekend but I liked it here.
Then I made arrangements for a rental car which I could pick up at the Golden Nugget tomorrow morning.
Since I wanted to try other hotels, I walked to the Downtown Grand and booked a room for five nights beginning on Sunday. I’d never stayed there even when it used to be called the Lady Luck, but I’d played the slots at that casino in the past.
For supper I went to Magnolia’s in the Four Queens and had a meat-lovers pizza and two large mugs of Old Town Brown dark ale.
After supper I watched a couple of the overhead light shows and wandered around the Fremont Street Experience listening to the free bands and absorbing the flavor of Las Vegas.
On Wednesday morning I ate breakfast in the coffee shop and then checked out of my hotel. I was dressed casually and had carefully packed my suit in my sports bag.
The compact car was ready and I drove out of the Golden Nugget parking garage at ten o’clock.
I was quite looking forward to a road trip.
Since I hadn’t yet seen the Strip during the day, I drove south on Las Vegas Blvd. all the way past the airport where I got on Interstate 15.
I stopped at Primm, Nevada at the California border and walked through the three casinos clustered there although I didn’t gamble at all. It had been many years since I’d been to Primm. Primm was formerly called “Stateline” and I had taken free casino day tours there two or three times during my marriage.
A few miles into California I caught small Highway 164 east to Searchlight and then drove on Highway 95 south. At Needles, California I stopped and checked on the smart phone for hotel rates in Lake Havasu City.
I phoned one of the hotels and made a reservation for tonight. Then I crossed into Arizona and reached Lake Havasu City at three o’clock where I checked in at my hotel.
I walked around the city and saw the London Bridge which had been transported brick by brick from England to Arizona and now constituted the main tourist attraction of Lake Havasu City.
I ate a nice supper at a restaurant overlooking the Colorado River and returned to my hotel.
Since I still had several cans of my beer from Las Vegas left, I stayed in my room, sipped beer and studied my maps of California and Arizona which had been provided by the rental car depot.
I decided t
o see Joshua Tree National Park in California tomorrow. I had never been there and the park was only about a hundred miles from Lake Havasu City.
By the time I was on my third beer my thoughts returned to Steve Carling and his mess.
Although I had uncovered the information that Steve had requested about any assets owned by Teckschen Limited, I really should have pulled out at that point in time.
I was no litigation wizard. My courtroom experience was relatively limited and I had never encountered a scumbag like Guenther Schenteck. I was totally out of my league and my so-called strategy of trying to foul up his factory sale by registering a last-minute lien could in reality backfire. I had foolishly told Steve and Maria that their situation couldn’t get any worse, but that evaluation could easily be wrong.
If Schenteck somehow managed to screw Steve over even more thoroughly because of my actions to provoke him, then Steve might turn his desperation against me and sue me. I had inadvertently put my own assets at risk by attempting to do a favor for a friend of a friend.
In fact, Guenther Schenteck might also sue me for interfering with the sale of his factory.
I was an idiot.
It took me more than two hours to fall asleep after I hit the sack. I was consumed with worry about my own situation.
That old adage was true. No good deed goes unpunished.
CHAPTER 18 (Setting the Trap)
The first two escorts contacted by Willy Fraunz weren’t interested in getting involved with setting up a tourist. They were happy with the money they were raking in as legitimate paid escorts.
Willy hadn’t provided any specifics, just vague details of what he needed done.
On his third contact, Willy found a willing participant.
A Friday lunch was set up in a restaurant on the Boulder Highway between Willy, Guenther Schenteck and the woman, a part-time hooker with a drug habit named Joyce Ranford.
Guenther was pleased when Joyce arrived. She was an extremely attractive lady who appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties and didn’t look at all like a prostitute or addict. Even more startling, Joyce was very well spoken.
Lady Luck Loves Lawyers Page 5