Just next to James sat Felix Munster. The both of them were like two peas in a pod. On occasion, when happy hour rolled around, the two of them would lament their life situation. James remembered Felix telling him that he'd hope Lane Axle would fortunately meet with an accident. With Brad running the company their future would take on a whole new perspective.
Fran Whitmore, Lane's private secretary hated her boss with a passion. However, Brad had told her to be patient. Changes were coming very soon. She wanted to believe him so much. She was so tired of that old guy always trying to cop a feel; or a sniff of her perfume. On more than one occasion she went into his office with some paperwork and then he stood up showing her the nice bulge in his pants. She dropped the papers and stomped out while he laughed at her.
Fran wasn't the only female employee who couldn't stand Lane Axel. Joy Farmer was highly educated and an excellent software developer. Her office was on the third floor with others similar to her. Lane Axle, whose office was on the 4th floor, would come down and sniff around her too. One time he promised her a 10% bonus if she'd spend a night with him at the local Hilton. After that she'd contacted many headhunters for another position anywhere but at Extell. She was so hot that whenever he came around she took up her metal letter opener showing him her intentions. He just laughed and walked off.
Lane's thoughts were interrupted when he heard through his old fashion intercom system his secretary say: "Sir, Ed is here and desires to see you soonest you are available."
"Send him in," said a gruff Lane who went back to his desk to resume his position of authority. Ed came in looking very scared. Lane looked at him and motioned a chair to sit down and talk to him.
Ed said, "Sir, I'm sure you remember the sale we had with Space.com around the first of the year. Well, they went belly up this morning. We stand to lose roughly two million in sales. I stopped by Rufus's office and he's on his way down now. The only saving grace sir is the fact we demanded one million be set aside and the remainder upon final delivery. Well, that final delivery was two weeks ago. Now the phones at Space are as dead as they are."
Rufus Brown, the resident CFO came in breathing hard as was his custom for his portly build. He took a seat and when his breathing returned to about normal he spoke, "Sir we are in deep, you know what, if we lose that two million from Space. I talked to their banker and he told me that he thought payment could be made in about six week's time. I, in turn called our banker and he told me that not to panic at this time. He suggested that maybe some stock be sold to inject some cash into the company on the QT."
"What you're suggesting Rufus is that I sell some of my stock to bolster our financial position," said a red faced Lane Axle who was now beginning to get angry.
"As you're the primary stock holder of 52 % of the company, to save this company you must consider selling, what I'd guess is about 18 % of your stock."
"That would put me out on the street as the board would quickly replace me with some new blood." He leaned back thinking and then he continued, "Rufus have our lawyers and bankers meet me here tomorrow morning for a ten am meeting. This meeting is over. You're both excused," said a gruff Lane Axle.
Cocktail Meeting at Axle's Residence
Bonnie Igeres was the daughter of Lane Axle. She was an only child with her mother dying at her birth. She was spoiled and usually got her way. She was the only one who could change her father's mind even if it was a major business deal. She'd graduated with an MBA from Brown University, but really never entered the business. Ten years ago at age 32 she married Brad. At the time it seemed a marriage of convenience rather than love. However, over time they'd grown to be fond of each other. Although the marriage was childless, Bonnie spent a lot of time at the local YWCA as a volunteer.
When her father arrived at home, Bonnie was there to greet him. She gave him a less than sincere hug saying, "You know why I'm here father dear. I'm here to keep you from sinking your Titanic. You best listen to reason or you'll be locked in a padded room wondering what happened."
Lane threw his sport coat on the entry chair for the housekeeper to hang up. The he walked into his den to make a highball. Bonnie followed like a good girl, along with the resident scraggly hound dog. "It's been a rough day Bonnie. First the fishing trip and right after that Space.com goes belly up. Rufus tells me I need to sell of around 20 % of my stock to save the company from receivership."
He went to his wet bar and took out two tumblers for a highball. He waved the scotch to his daughter who nodded and said, "Make it light father as I've to drive home." She heard the sounds of ice hitting the glasses as she continued, "If you sell off 20 percent that leaves 32 left. It's true the board will demand your retirement. Now if I added my 20 percent back into your proxy status, then all would be well. However, if I did that some major changes would have to occur."
Bonnie could see the red moving up from his neck to his well lined face. His grey eyes turned cold as the ice in his glass as he downed the neat scotch in one shot. He poured another and said, "What are the major changes my dear daughter?"
You resign the CEO position and nominate Brad for the position. He can run it very well. I'd agree to let you stay on as a consultant with an office. Or you can retire with dignity. If you fail to inject the cash into the company, its history. I've talked to our bankers and lawyers both. I've lost a substantial amount of money in the last few years and that has come to an end.
As for the fishing trip, you agree or I'll force you out of the company father. You're running it into the ground. It's time for you to retire. Let some new blood salvage our company."
Lane watched his daughter sip her scotch. It was his own fault, he thought. I made her get her east coast MBA and now look at what happened. She is basically firing my old ass. He grimaced thinking about what he would do if he didn’t go to work every day. Whittling on the porch wasn't his idea of retirement bliss. I must find a way to fight this forced retirement. "I'll think about it Bonnie. Fishing is on. I've a meeting with the lawyers in the morning."
"Remember father, you're not Warren Buffet and he's a rare case of seeing the future and you don't. You only see the day to day and not what's coming up with the sun next month or year. We need young, talented and dedicated workers. We don't need an old man who flashes his Viagra hard-on to his secretary or programmers. We're lucky not to have been taken to court over your sexual harassment shenanigans. If you need some sex, call a hooker. Get real father."
"I think it's time for you to take your leave Bonnie. I need to be alone to contemplate the future. I can tell you one thing, I'm not going to roll over and play dead. I'll fight to the end. My father told me there's no give up in Americans."
"If you decide to play hardball, you'll drag this company to its grave. I don't think I can let that happen. This company is my families retirement. Grandfather gave you the means to buy this company; you didn't earn it father. Indeed my mother willed me my 20 percent. I don't intend to lose that stock because of a stubborn old man who won't see the forest from the trees. You'd best think hard father. Okay, business is over and time for me to go home. I'll see you at the lawyers meeting in the am. Good night father dear."
Lawyers Looking for Spoils.
When Bonnie walked into the company boardroom at precisely 10 am, it appeared that a battle was impending. Lawyers, bankers and staff, including her father were waving arms and shouting depicting total chaos. Fran Whitmore was with Bonnie to take notes. "Lord have mercy," Fran said.
"We've got to get this meeting under control," said Bonnie as she stepped upon a chair with the intention of calling everyone to her attention. She cupped her hands and yelled, "Gentlemen, sit down or I'll call security and have all of you thrown out of the building."
Silence enveloped the board room. Each person attending looked at one another with embarrassed faces. That is, all except Lane Axle who took his seat at the head of the table. The rest followed suit. Bonnie climbed down and said, "What we need here is som
e professionalism. First let's hear from the bankers about our present situation with the latest news of Space.com folding. What will it do or how will it affect our company presently and in the immediate future?"
From Extell's major bank, the Vice President of Lending, Stuart Long said, "Without full payment of the two million due from Space.com, Extell is over extended on its liabilities. The one million helps, but it's not enough to keep the company operating without creditors demanding payment. If Mr. Axle was to sell off part of his stock of the company, invest it back into the company, then we feel if Mr. Axle resigned, the company could perhaps restructure under a chapter 11."
"What you're saying is if Mr. Axle sells off a large chunk of his stock, then turn around and reinvest back into the company; I'm not sure where I see that would help out very much," said Attorney Wayne Lorvess.
"The creditors would see a large cash injection along with the CEO's retirement as a good thing. That in of itself would buy some time for us to restructure under chapter 11," said Bob Whiteside a full partner of another tax law firm.
Bonnie said, "Let's hear what my father Lane has to say at this point in time."
"I hear what you're saying, but the main point here is the idea I step down to let my son-in-law take over my company. I'm to retire and at the same time, sell off a large portion of my company stock. After that I reinvest it back into Extell. All of this is to buy some time to keep our creditors from demanding payment; including the banks. Well, my father was kind enough to allow me an inheritance to start up a new company. I started a new company; or rather purchased a company that was in trouble, such as we are, and have guided this company that was, just a few years ago, a major player in the computer industry.
Now having said that, I'm rather staunch in my position to downsize and see if we can make it through these hard times. I'm not ready to retire just yet. My daughter is well educated. She can find a good job anytime; if she isn't already too old. What I'll do is allow the deep sea fishing trip and let's see what happens afterwards later this summer."
A Fishing We Go
Bonnie Igeres sat talking with her husband at lunch time in one of Beaverton's better restaurants. "I'm going to sell off my stock Brad. I've already contacted my broker. That will give us a gross of over 10 million at today's market price. I'm still holding out that Extell can recover, but just in case we need to protect ourselves. I hate to say it, but the best thing that could happen to my father is a heart attack to force his retirement."
"The staff is happy about the fishing trip, but scared that your father won't take the advice of bankers and lawyers to save the company. They all realize how hard or difficult it's to find another job. To sell one's house, then move is really scary for most of our staff; me included," said Brad.
In the lunch room of Extell sat the staff who would be taking the trip to Bandon deep sea fishing. All were happy about the fishing, but most were very displeased of the CEO's refusal to step down. James Button said, "Somebody should throw the bastard overboard when we go fishing. He's over 70 and has a pile of money, so why not give it up. He's all for himself and not for any of us."
"I agree," was heard around the lunch room. If the times were back in the 1800s Lane Axle would have been swinging from a tree with a noose around his neck.
With a previous booking at the Bandon Seashore Lodge, our group of Extell fishing hopefuls checked in after midnight. Lane and Bonnie, along with Brad rode in Lane's luxury car with Brad at the wheel. They too checked in late Friday or early Saturday morning. The next day the schedule called for leaving the dock at 9 am and returning at around 5pm to take care of the days catch.
The lineup included: Lane Axle, Bonnie and Brad Igeres as family. Staff included James Button and his friend Felix Munster. David Cornfield the office manager and programmer Joy Farmer were close friends. Lane's secretary Fran Whitmore resented the fact that Lane's close proximity to her motel room was evident he'd a hand in the reservations. Fran made sure her door was locked and under no circumstances would she open it unless there was a fire. Ed Duncan, marketing manager and Rufus Brown were roomed together. Both were still depressed about the status of the company.
The wee hours of the night passed by with all in slumber and nobody knocked on Fran's door. The next morning they went to the restaurant across from the Bandon Police Station. It just happened that Stacy and Rory were having breakfast when they arrived. Of course, other than a cursory look by the two detectives, all remained as an everyday thing.
The fishing party was coming to life as the day looked promising weather wise and the excitement of catching some big fish made all feel good. The only grump was Lane as he ate his oatmeal to keep his cholesterol in order.
Down at the dock at the Rod and Reel Charter Service Lois Lambert was the person in charge and the captain of the 40 foot plus boat. With the Extell party standing by listening to her she said, "Welcome to Rod and Reel and our craft Albie. The first part of our trip we'll bottom fish and then late in the afternoon we'll fish for salmon. I can almost 100 % guarantee you that you'll catch fish today. For those of you who have motion sickness, we've pills for that nasty business. Also, if you can't swim and would feel more comfortable with a life vest on, let me or a crew member know. Our crew will bait your hooks and set you up to fish. Also the spacing is important so don't bunch up too much.
In the cabin we've heads and a few places to lie down if you're not feeling well. Anything else just ask me or a member of the crew. Welcome to Bandon by the Sea," said Lois Lambert.
All followed her aboard the boat and soon they were cast off passing by the jetty and its famous lighthouse. Brad said to his wife Bonnie, "This is great honey. Let's enjoy this fresh salty air and have a good time. I'm going to try and ignore your father today. He's already grumbling about how much the boat will be rocking and rolling crossing the bar. Why can't that man just shut the hell up!"
Rufus and Ed both overheard Brad's comment and smiled thinking the same thing: he'd make good fish bait.
They passed over the bar and the crew set about rigging up the poles. Lois had said they'd bottom fish not so far off the coast. Lane told his daughter he'd go lie down for a little break until they started fishing for salmon. He went down into the cabin area and past the galley to the bunks set in the bow. He lay down and was soon snoring away.
With lines in the water, the boat drifting on the current, the fishing party wanted to catch one of those big ling cod they'd heard about.
It didn't take long when one after another had a big lunker on. The crew was kept busy taking fish off and baiting more hooks as the catch was good that morning. Nobody paid any attention to Lane Axle who was sleeping away in the bow.
Fran got a little woozy so she went below and sat at the galley table not wanting to be in the same place as Lane. The men were drinking beer and having a good time, but requiring to use the heads frequently. As it was determined later, all of the fishing party had been to the head area at least once and some had taken a short rest in the bow with Lane.
By noon it was time for lunch. Lois was the chef and some of her crew members did the serving. A nice variety of sandwiches were available. Salads of various kinds were had. Drinks were a vast assortment for anybody. Bonnie asked her father if he wanted some lunch and he responded by throwing up in a bucket he'd found somewhere. Bonnie left thinking it was fitting for the boss to be sick and feel the part of life others experienced.
Lois set course for salmon fishing at around 1 pm. By then James and Felix were feeling no pain. Fran was feeling better and up on the deck trying to put on a happy face. Bonnie and Brad were still in the galley drinking some wine while David Cornfield was lamenting the case of Lane Axle and his desire to drag the company into the depths of hell. Joy was hanging out with Ed the marketing manager and with CFO Rufus Brown. All had been drinking and all had been forced to use the head to relive the over full bladders.
Lois came down knowing that the big boss, Lane had
mentioned he wanted to fish for salmon. She told Bonnie and Brad that she'd go wake him up or see if he wanted to fish for salmon. One minute later a stifled scream was heard from the bow where Lois had just left to see Lane. Bonnie jumped up and ran to the area where the bunks were and where her father had been sleeping. Bonnie could clearly see that her father was dead with a fish filet knife sticking out of his chest. Bonnie was still standing there with her hand over her mouth rather petrified.
Bonnie moved closer and at the same time calling for Brad to come see her. Brad hurried in and said, "Jesus is he dead?"
"Yes Brad he's dead," said Bonnie without a tear rolling down her windblown cheeks. "Somebody murdered him right under our noses. That means Brad that one of us killed Lane Axle the former CEO of Extell."
Lois came back to reality very quickly saying, "We must head back to the dock and report the crime. I'll lock the door so please go back to the galley." Lois informed the crew and then radioed the base to call the police to meet the boat at the dock.
A Buried Fillet Knife
Detective Stacy Foreham was with her father in his wood shop talking about what a lovely day it was for the coast. "You know Stacy; I'm getting the hang of this wood working. Now that we're alone, I've something to tell you. You've heard me talk about Fran at the Senior Center where she does the cooking." Stacy nodded the affirmative and he continued, "We've been doing a lot of chatting on the phone and had a few nice times together lately. What I'm trying to say is we're thinking about living together as we're both single and enjoy each other's company a lot."
Murder Mysteries #3 Page 8