Is This Goodbye?: A Frank Moretti Thriller

by Frederick Wysocki

  The women and men sunning themselves surprised Frank. “I didn’t expect to see people on beaches so close to the city.”

  “If you look to the North and East you’ll see the mountains. If you had been here thirty days ago, you would have seen snow still on top. In fact, last month I showed a couple the beach and when they spotted the snow, they wanted to ski. Forty minutes later, they were on the ski lift. ”

  Naomi was impressed. “This place is a scenic Eden.”

  Denver added, “Canada is a true melting pot integrating people from all over the world.”

  Frank thought of his own circumstance. St Kitts is my melting pot. If it weren’t for Naomi and her family, I might still be a tourist pretending he lives in the Caribbean.

  Denver drove them through the modern downtown. “Our next stop is Stanley Park an urban forest mostly undeveloped and surrounded by water.”

  As Denver drove slowly around the outside of the park, Frank and Naomi were impressed to see swarms of bicyclists and skaters racing around the park’s peripheral trail. “That is the original seawall that went for seven miles. It now extends into downtown and over to False Creek.”

  Naomi spoke softly to Frank. “Do you see us like a regular couple?”

  He responded in kind. “Not really.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well it’s not like either of us will have jobs where we must go to work and try to get ahead. I don’t see us squabbling over money. Or arguing over whose turn it is to cook or do the dishes. Not with the maids and cook I already have. How about you? How do you envision our future together?”

  “I’m looking forward to being close to you all day, every day, just as we are now. I’ll be there to help you make deals, raise our children and just enjoy being together.”

  “What if we become bored from spending so much time together?”

  “Are you saying that you are becoming bored with me?”

  “Not at all. You keep amazing me with your skills and smart ideas everyday.”

  “Then why worry about it?”

  Frank checked to see that Denver had the privacy window up. “What if I suddenly lost all my money?”

  “Do you know how to make more?”

  “Yes.

  “Then why worry about it.”

  “My uncle Anthony had billions more than I may ever have and yet he had a terrible marriage with his wife. They hated each other. He ended up having her killed.”

  “Do you think we are anything like the two of them?”

  “Hell no.”

  Just then, Denver lowered the privacy window. “This is Lost Lagoon. Would you like to walk around it for a bit then go over to the Stanley Park Rose Garden?”

  “It would be good to stretch our legs.”

  They went down to the water’s edge while Denver followed slowly in the car.

  Naomi held Frank’s arm. “Do you want to live anywhere else in addition to St Kitts?”

  “Why?”

  “I would want to live at least part of the year on St Kitts to spend time with my sister, her husband and …”

  “Jamal?”

  “Yes, of course Jamal. Anything I can do to help him, I will.”

  “I understand from Ahmad that Jamal is improving.”

  “He is. One day I hope to have children that he can play with and perhaps be cousins with.”

  After fifteen minutes, they returned to the limo.

  Fifteen minutes after that, Denver lowered the privacy screen. “As you can see from the flared tiled roofs we are now in Chinatown. Coming up on your right is the Classical Chinese Garden.”

  Frank said, “Pull over and let us walk around for a few minutes.”

  Denver obliged. “I’ll wait right here.”

  “Fine.”

  Naomi and Frank only walked past a few stores and restaurants before Naomi stopped. “I’ve seen enough. Let’s get back in the car.”

  “Sure.”

  Naomi rushed to the car and got in.

  Frank figured that it was as good a time as any to ask the question.

  He followed Naomi and was terse with Denver once he joined her in the car. “Please raise the screen.”

  Once they had privacy Frank looked at Naomi. “I have a serious question that I need to ask you.”

  “Then ask it.”

  “If we were to get married, would you be upset if I asked you to sign a prenup agreement?”

  “I never considered that you might want me to sign something... What’s a prenup anyway?”

  “Luca explained to me that marriage is a contract. He said that a prenuptial agreement simply puts some guidelines to it. Luca is sending me one. Once I’ve read it I’ll let you know if I agree with him that it might be a good idea.”

  “Sure, read it and let me know why we need it.”

  At the end of the tour, Denver brought up another possible tour for them. “If you find yourself with another full day available to see the wonders of British Columbia, I would recommend a trip to Vancouver Island.”

  “What’s worth seeing over there?”

  “Well we’d start off by taking a vehicle ferry through the Gulf Islands. Along the way, you’d be seeing numerous islands and possibly a whale or two. Our first stop would be at the Butchart Gardens, which is breathtaking in its beauty and scope. Then we’d visit Victoria, which is a quaint piece of England here in Canada. Then we’d drive up the island towards Nanaimo where we’d catch a ferry back to Vancouver. You’d see more islands and wildlife.”

  Frank said, “Sounds delightful, let’s see how our business goes tomorrow.”

  11

  Monday

  Richmond B.C.

  Frank and Naomi decided to enjoy a short early morning jog to clear out the last of the jet lag. With the mountains looming, they ran through the streets towards the downtown waterfront. They’d stopped to take in the spectacular view of Coal Harbour and Stanley Park then headed back to the hotel. After they stopped for a red light Naomi shot ahead and won the final leg.

  Naomi always finds the power to win at whatever she’s doing.

  Frank was ready to meet with the CEO of SpaceLaser. Time to find out if there’s a way for me to make a buck out of this.

  As he drove, Denver was still being the tour guide. “Below you, is the mighty Fraser River. The building remnants that you can see were the lumber mills that powered the growth of the province.”

  The land before them was flat.

  Denver explained. “This area is a pancake of flatness that was formed by glacial deposits and the silt of the Fraser River. When Richmond became populated, that silt and abundant water encouraged farmers to grow cranberries and blueberries. In the last thirty years, the influx of Asians has driven residential and commercial development.”

  Frank noticed a dike holding the Fraser River and Pacific Ocean at bay. “Are those people walking on top?”

  Denver responded. “The dikes out here in Richmond are as popular for walking as the seawalls in Vancouver.”

  They were passing the same airport where they had arrived. Planes were landing and taking off every few minutes.

  Frank noted that the commuters that were behind the wheels of their cars and the people he could see walking were predominantly Asian.

  He had read about how the great migration from Hong Kong and now China, had increased the population from just over a million only thirty years ago to well over two million.

  Frank asked Denver. “What percentage of the people who live here are Chinese?”

  “Over fifty-five percent of Richmond’s residents are Chinese immigrants. If you walk around the main shopping areas you’ll hear Mandarin and Cantonese being spoken. They’re taking over.”

  Frank could see how the mountains prevented expansion to the east and the Pacific Ocean was the perfect barrier to the west. He knew that the United States border was only half an hour away to the south. Mountains and ocean limited northern expansion. Mother Natu
re has created the scenic boundaries to this piece of paradise, not man.

  “How have they crammed everyone in if the population has doubled?”

  “High rise condos and converting farm land to residential. The real problem is that the greater lower mainland, which includes Vancouver and Richmond, never had any American style freeways and still doesn’t.”

  “Is that why traffic sucks?”

  “I see you’re noticing.”

  “Why are they leaving China?”

  “A great many Chinese came here, bought property as a hedge, then formed a second family. They commute back and forth to their businesses and families in China and Canada.”

  “Really? Why do they do that?”

  “Some had their businesses in the tax-free environment of Hong Kong and others have some of their wealth protected from the Chinese Government in Canada. People say they’ve laundered their money in Vancouver’s real estate.”

  “Very astute of them.” Frank didn’t want to tell Denver how he’d also taken advantage of tax-free opportunities.

  Denver pulled in front of a large one-story building. “This is the SpaceLaser headquarters.”

  The office was a large building in an industrial park in Richmond BC. It was ten minutes before nine in the morning.

  Frank held the front door for Naomi and let her enter first.

  He was surprised to find an armed Asian security guard in the lobby.

  The guard pointed them towards the receptionist.

  “Good morning. I’m Frank Moretti and this is Naomi Dolphin. We have an appointment with Brad Miller at nine o’clock.”

  After she found them in her appointment book she handed each of them laminated cards on lanyards that designated them as visitors. “These are GPS enabled for security tracking purposes. You’ll need to wear them, even if you’re being escorted by an employee. Please return them to me before you leave.”

  12

  This was Ashley Kelly’s second day working in the SpaceLaser office. Her cover was that she was doing an audit of the company’s books before another possible investment by the CIA’s venture investment arm.

  Ted Wetmore, a young lawyer had arrived with her. Ted was reviewing legal agreements and obligations. “It shouldn’t take us more than a few days. A week at most to complete our due diligence.”

  They were viewed by the Chief Executive Officer as an unexpected inconvenience and had been situated at the edge of the accounting area.

  Even though SpaceLaser’s office hours started at eight in the morning, Ashley Kelly already knew the CEO didn’t like to schedule meetings before nine o’clock. The receptionist says it gives him time to organize his day.

  At nine minutes to nine, Ashley was standing in the coffee break area closest to the lobby.

  She was taking her time making a fresh pot and straightening up. Coffee didn’t help her nerves so she only drank decaf. Ted Wetmore, however, drank caffeinated black coffee throughout the day. Ashley had volunteered to make it as the coffee area had an almost clear view of the lobby and the receptionist.

  Ashley was facing the coffee pot when she heard the front door open.

  Someone addressed the receptionist.

  It’s Frank’s voice.

  Turning slowly while craning her neck, she saw Francis Moretti.

  Shit, he’s with a woman.

  Damn it.

  She immediately twisted her back towards the lobby.

  It must be Naomi.

  Calm down.

  With the blonde wig and glasses, he’ll never recognize me.

  Picking up her own cup along with Ted’s, Ashley walked towards their cubicles.

  She plopped Ted’s on his desk, spilling part of it. “Sorry ‘bout that.”

  “No problemo Ashley.” Ted shot her a smile. He’d been hoping to get lucky since they’d arrived.

  Ashley walked towards the side door exit.

  A moment later, she was outside where the smokers could sneak a few drags.

  She leaned her back against the outside wall and grimaced. What should I do?

  Taking a cleansing breath, Ashley pulled her iPhone out of her purse and hit the button for Regina Lofthouse.

  “Regina, it’s me Ashley. Are you free to talk for a minute?”

  There was a brief pause. “Hold on while I close my office door.”

  Ashley heard the door close.

  “Okay, I’m back.”

  “Why did you let Frank bring Naomi with him?”

  Regina snapped. “I’m not his mother. I couldn’t stop him. If you can’t figure out a way to talk to him then perhaps you’d better stop your little charade and come home before we both end up in the unemployment line.”

  13

  Frank was dressed in slacks and an open collared blue shirt. He called his look, investor casual. As he’d told Naomi, “Most of these tech guys are now all about dressing casually in their offices. I think they all got it from their peers down in Silicon Valley.”

  In turn, Naomi was smartly dressed in slacks and a white blouse that peeked out from a tan jacket.

  Three minutes later, they were escorted into Brad’s office where they were asked to sit facing the CEO.

  Frank noticed that the office had drapes that were closed. Brad Miller was dressed in a dark blue pinstripe suit with a power red tie on a starched white shirt. Most CEO’s were older than Frank, and Brad was no exception as he appeared to be in his mid forties.

  Frank took the unexpected in stride as he led the introductions. “I’m a venture capital investor and Naomi is one of my associates.”

  The CEO nodded. “How can I help you both?”

  Frank grinned and leaned forward. “I understand you may be interested in going public in a year or so. I’m here to offer you some additional funding to boost your balance sheet before you put together your offering.”

  “Before I entertain your offer let me ask who you are Mister Moretti and why you want to invest in SpaceLaser.”

  “I’ve made over a billion dollars as an entrepreneur myself. Now I try to help other CEOs like yourself take your companies to the next level.”

  Brad let the young man’s statement sink in before he spoke. “Impressive credentials but why are you here at SpaceLaser? We aren’t what you Venture Capitalists call a disruptive solution for the mass market. Our clients are governments who are, shall we say, less than exciting as far as investors are concerned.”

  “To be honest, the CIA’s venture arm was an early investor in you and they have asked me to help you. Have you considered using any of your technology in the private sector?”

  Brad clasped his hands together, looked away and lied. “No, but that is an interesting idea.”

  Frank asked, “How does your laser work?”

  “With heat. Have you ever started a campfire with a magnifying glass? Well it’s the same principle, but using fiber lasers. The more fibers we weave together, the stronger the weapon. We also supply lenses, mirrors and software to shape the energy into a focused beam.”

  There was a knock on the CEO’s door.

  “Enter.”

  An Asian man Frank’s age walked in, looked at Naomi, then Frank and finally at the CEO. “Excuse me Brad, I didn’t know you were in a meeting.”

  “No problem, since you’re here let me introduce you.” The CEO lifted his arm in Frank’s direction. “Frank, Naomi, meet Thomas Sum. Thomas is the head of Research and Development.”

  Frank stood up and offered to shake the key employee’s hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Thomas.”

  The CEO and Naomi remained seated.

  “Frank and Naomi came here hoping to invest in us. I was just about to tell him that he was too late.”

  Frank was confused. “What do you mean by ‘too late’?”

  “Last night… well really today, Chinese time, I received an outright offer to purchase our little company.”

  Frank couldn’t help but frown. “May I ask who it was?�
��

  “Until it closes I’m afraid it’s a secret. What I can tell is that it’s a huge Asian electronics company owned by the Chinese government. The offer is very generous.”

  To Frank it seemed that Brad Miller was trying to justify the sale to himself.

  “They offered us more than we hoped to get by going public. I’ll be letting my Board of Directors know this morning, but I can assure you, they will approve the sale.”

  “I see. Well then, I guess congratulations are in order. Do you require any bridge financing while you proceed with the sale?”

  “No. I was assured that the sale would be approved immediately by the Canadian government.”

  “That’s interesting. Are you saying the Canadian Government already knows about the sale?”

  Miller looked at his desk. “Apparently. That is what I was told.”

  Frank lifted both of his open palms in the air. “Then I guess it’s time for us to leave.”

  The CEO looked up and nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry you wasted your time coming all this way to see us but I need to call a quick Board meeting and let them know that we need to meet formally to accept the offer.”

  A stern faced Thomas Sum opened the door for them. “I’ll show you out.”

  Frank let Naomi go first.

  Thomas Sum closed the door behind them.

  Frank and Naomi took off their lanyards to hand them to the receptionist.

  The guard swung open the glass door.

  14

  Frank followed Naomi down the three steps to the curbside. He stopped and looked back to see Brad Miller watching them from his office.

  They walked over to the limo and stood beside it. “That was the shortest and strangest investment meeting I think I’ve ever had. He didn’t even ask how much I wanted to invest. Why do you think the CEO is in such a rush to sell to the Chinese?”

  Naomi had also sensed something different was going on. “Don’t you always count on CEOs wanting to cash out?”

  Frank raised his eyebrows. “You’re right, I do. But this one seems odd. SpaceLaser helps supply components for the U.S. and NATO satellites. I find it bizarre to think the U.S. will let Canada approve of the sale to the Chinese. China is one of the two big foes the U.S. has.”