“I didn’t want that,” Lorraine said. “This is what I want.”
Dennis and Jeannie shared a glance before Dennis answered, “And you’ll have it. It’s just a matter of logistics, really.”
“We were going to be looking at the company’s land holdings in any of the boroughs,” Lorraine said to remind them.
Jeannie nodded eagerly. “Right, exactly. You’ve got those files, don’t you, Den?”
“I do.” He turned to Lorraine. “You see, a company as big as Phoenix Enterprises tends to create off-shoots for various things. For your library thing, he had us put together F.O.P.L., Friends of the Public Library. It was a way to collect some donations and organize our expenses. It's really more for tax purposes than anything else.”
Lorraine waited as a silent moment wriggled between the three.
Jeannie said, “For our property holdings, it’s a similar structure; East Coast Holdings, Big Apple Holdings, in the west we’ve got different names for different companies.”
“Shell corporations,” Lorraine said, “shadow companies.”
Jeannie chuckled. “Really, all the big companies like ours do things this way.”
Dennis said to Lorraine, “It’s nothing you need to worry too much about, that’s why we’re here. Your concern is going to be staffing, publicity — ”
“Well that’s fine,” Lorraine said. “But, if I don’t have the property, I can’t staff it, I can't publicize it. There’ll be remodeling, permits — ”
“And we’ll help see to all those things,” Jeannie reassured her.
“Right,” Lorraine said. “So, let’s start with the properties. What have we got?” Jeannie and Dennis exchanged worried looks, prompting Lorraine to say, “Griffin did say this was job one, Jeannie.”
“And it is,” she said, nodding, “it absolutely is.” She turned to Dennis. “Well?”
Dennis sighed. “Much as I hate to disappoint, all our borough properties are rented out. We don’t have any empty properties in the state, not one.”
Lorraine didn’t have to think about it for long. “Is there anything we can get our hands on?”
Dennis shrugged. “That’s not my department.”
Jeannie said to Lorraine, “I’ll call our realtor, see what she can find. But, I gotta warn you, it won’t be cheap and that’s if we can find anything. This is New York, sweetie, not Colorado.”
Lorraine took in their condescending smiles, little chuckles leaking out of nodding faces. “Jeannie, my name is Lorraine.” Jeannie stopped chuckling as Lorraine turned to Dennis. “Are you quite sure there isn't a single available borough space in our company portfolio?”
Dennis glanced at Jeannie before answering, “I just went over the files.”
“Perhaps you were distracted by Ms. Gallagher here, the way you two keep looking at each other.” Lorraine stood up, Jeannie and Dennis following her example. “I think I’ll have a look at that portfolio myself, Dennis. I’d like a complete record of our assets and transactions over the last five years, as soon as possible.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You’re right,” Lorraine said, “make it the past seven years.”
“Lorraine,” Jeannie said, but had no more time to speak.
“Ten years,” Lorraine said, “and be prepared to stand behind it.”
Dennis twitched, an amazed half-smile on his dark face. “You’re auditing your own company?”
“Look at it any way you like,” Lorraine said, turning for the door. “Just get it done.”
Lorraine walked down the hall of that wing of the Phoenix Enterprises, back from accounting and toward the main offices. She felt good, strong, capable. Maybe I was too hard on them? she wondered. They say power corrupts, am I getting carried away with all this boss’s wife stuff?
No, this is important business, and they have to know I’m not just some flighty dumb bell playing house. And the way they were acting, I dunno, it wasn’t right. Something’s up.
Lorraine hoped to find Griffin and surprise him in his office, take him to lunch and discuss the company's real estate portfolio in greater detail.
But, first there was a surprise in store for her.
“Missus Phoenix?” Lorraine turned to see a familiar young man approaching her with his hand outstretched. “Ki Fong, we met the other day.”
“Yes, Ki,” Lorraine said, “nice to see you again.”
“The pleasure’s mine. I didn’t know you'd be in the office today.”
“I’ll be coming and going a bit more often now,” Lorraine said with a smile, as polite as she was in the mood to be.
“Very good, glad to hear it,” Ki said. “I wish you all the best with your new project. I know Mr. Phoenix wants you to work directly with Ms. Gallagher, but if there’s anything I can do — ”
“Actually, Ki,” Lorraine said, “there might be. You're in charge of the development of new projects, right?”
“As much as they’ll allow,” Ki said.
“How do you mean?”
Ki glanced around. “No, I shouldn’t say.”
“Really, it’s okay. I’ll keep it in confidence.” Ki looked around again and shook his head, but Lorraine said, “I’m the boss’s wife, Ki, are you really going to stand there and tell me no?” Lorraine didn't like how comfortable she was getting with her newfound power, but she knew she’d have to wield it and wield it well if she was going to survive in this new corporate world, despite her obvious advantages. Even being Griffin Phoenix’s wife wasn't going to protect her from everything every time, she knew that all too well.
Ki finally said, “Well, I’m sure you won’t have the same experiences I have, but … I’ve been pitching things to the board for a year now and I’m getting nowhere. Jeannie Gallagher keeps shooting me down.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is. And I know it’s her job to manage these new projects, that she has the final say in what goes into development, but … I dunno, maybe it’s just because I’m Chinese. There’s a real stigma about that these days.”
Lorraine gave that a little thought. “Not Griffin, he’s not like that.”
“Of course not,” Ki said, “he’s the one who hired me. He’s a great man, your husband. But I don’t suppose I need to tell you that.”
“No, I’ve got a pretty good idea,” Lorraine said.
“But, I’m not sure Jeannie Gallagher is representing him fairly … or honestly.” Lorraine turned her ear for a better bead on what Ki was trying to say, or trying not to say. He went on, “I don’t know for sure, I just don't trust her. And since you're working so closely with her, well, I’d just suggest that maybe you be cautious, that's all.” With that, Ki slipped away, eyes shifting around as if he was being watched.
That only left Lorraine with the same feeling. She walked quickly down the hall to find Griffin in his office, glad and relieved to be in his reassuring company once again.
Ten minutes later they were strolling down Fifth Avenue, passing the most expensive shops in the world, a lane of glistening glass and sparkling metal, old-world brick and brownstones resisting the march of the modern world.
None of that even registered to Lorraine’s worried mind, there were more pressing things than Faberge eggs and Armani suits draped over silver mannequins.
“What’s up?” Griffin asked, not needing to explain how he knew.
Lorraine smiled and looked around, the beautiful New York spring the perfect background for a less-than-perfect scenario. “That guy, Ki Fong, on the board of directors, in charge of project development — ”
“Yeah. Good man, Fong. Tries hard.”
“Is he a good man? Do you trust him?”
Griffin thought about it, brows cramping. “I have … until now. Why?”
“He came to me today, thinks Jeannie might not be on the up-and-up, as it were, like she’s cheating you or something.”
“Cheating him, you mean.”
“Yeah,”
Lorraine had to admit, “there was some element of that, like he felt she was shutting him out.”
Griffin nodded. “But, that is her job, after all.”
“Yes, he said that, too.”
Griffin chuckled. “It’s the nature of the beast. Ki’s job is to pitch things, Jeannie’s job is to say no. If she can’t say no, she brings it to me. She’s like my firewall, and Ki’s like my crusader. It’s a balance between the two of them that makes Phoenix Enterprises work the way it does.” Something about that remark registered in the back of Lorraine’s brain, though she wasn't sure why and didn't have time to reason it out.
“And Jeannie,” Lorraine said, “and that accountant, they’re … they’re kosher?”
Griffin chuckled. “Not sure if Dennis Douglass would describe himself that way, but he’s saved me a ton of money on taxes. And he runs a tight ship, far as I know.”
“Far as you know,” Lorraine said. “But how long has it been since you’ve checked into it?”
Griffin’s chuckle melted away. “We have our quarterly meetings, but I suppose a fresh review of the facts wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Lorraine smiled. “I’m glad to hear you say that.”
Chapter 8
Lorraine waited by the entrance to the Central Park Zoo, glancing around with increasing nervousness. The gentle spring breeze carried a light pine scent, but it brought Lorraine no peace, no comfort. She didn’t really know the man she was there to meet and she knew it was an odd request to meet outside the office and that could have all kinds of odd consequences. But, the more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that the meeting should take place somewhere out of earshot of anybody at Phoenix Enterprises.
I only hope I can really trust him, Lorraine thought in those long, doubting moments. Who knows what this guy’s got cooking on his own. He casts so much shade on Jeannie, it almost seems like it’s because he’s got something of his own to hide.
Strangers walked past her, only a few casting glances at her as they entered or exited the zoo. It wasn’t unusual for an attractive woman to get glances like that in New York, especially in the Park, but it only brought Lorraine’s attention to the fact that, in full corporate mode, she might have been slightly overdressed for the park.
And it also meant that maybe, just maybe, she was being watched.
Ki Fong approached her slowly, also glancing around. He gets it, Lorraine thought, spotting him in a red hoodie pulled over his face and blue jeans, the opposite of his sharply dressed office persona.
“Missus Phoenix,” he said when he was close enough. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
Lorraine shook her head and started strolling into the zoo, Ki following her casual stride. “Ki, you mentioned the other day something about Jeannie … ”
“That’s right. And that’s why you wanted to meet way out here?”
“Yeah. I think you might be right about her, and I think that accountant Dennis Douglass could be in bed with her … in more ways than one.”
“You think they’re doin’ it?”
“Uh, yeah, Ki, that’s what I think. But, I don’t care about that, it’s the company that I’m worried about. They’ve got these shell corporations — ”
“Pshshshshffffft,” Ki said with a contemptuous sneer. “More than they can count; Infinity, Westmorland, Borough Holdings … ”
“Westmorland? I don’t remember going over that one with Jeannie and Dennis.”
This caught Ki’s attention. “Oh yeah? Big shock. I wonder if Mr. Phoenix knows about it.”
Lorraine didn’t need to think about that for long. “I’ll ask him. Jeannie and Dennis gave me a profile, but I’m beginning to think it’s woefully inadequate, if you know what I mean.”
“I do.”
“Can you get me a more … thorough file, the complete company profile?”
Ki looked around as they walked past the grizzly bears. “I think I can get my hands on that.”
“Great, Ki, that’s perfect, just what I’d hoped. I knew right away you were the man to work with.”
Ki shrugged. “Can’t say it isn’t nice to get some recognition. Why don’t you send me the profile they gave you, I’ll fill in the blanks. We’ll compare notes when I’m done?”
Lorraine gave it a quick review. “Sure, that sounds okay, I’ll send you a copy.”
“Right, right.” Ki nodded, glancing around. “This is good, this is very good, finally gonna get some action in that place.”
Lorraine glanced at Ki as they approached the monkey cages. The little long-tailed spider monkeys screeched at them from their little prison. Lorraine said, “I know you’ve had a hard time of it at Phoenix Enterprises, Ki, but this isn’t just your way to break out of your own personal monkey cage, either.”
“No, of course not. I admit, it’s been frustrating, but it’s been a lot worse to see that snake Jeannie Gallagher slithering around the halls of power, at least our halls. Our company’s not about power, y’know, it’s about doing something good with that power, something positive.”
Lorraine smiled. “I can see why Griffin took you on in the first place.”
Ki smiled back. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Mrs. Phoenix, but … right back at ‘cha.”
“Lorraine,” that booming, familiar voice said from the other end of the phone line, “it’s Albert!”
Lorraine glanced around the streets of Brooklyn from the back of a hired Lincoln Town Car. “Of course, Albert, I’ve got your name on my contact list! How are you, how’s Carmen?”
“She’s just great, misses you terribly.”
“Amidst all that hustle of a gubernatorial campaign?”
Albert huffed. “I think that makes her yearn even more for the old days, the quiet life.”
“Well, she can say goodbye to that if … when you win that race.”
“From your lips,” Albert said. “And speaking of that, thanks for the coverage during your press conference. I wanted to contact you earlier, but as you say, I’ve been busy.”
“Not to worry, Albert. I was almost afraid I’d said too much, pulled your campaign into another one of my shit storms.”
Albert burst out with a surprised chuckle. “Your shit storms are driving my political career, Lorraine!”
“That’s your business, Al, not mine.”
Albert’s laughter died down. “True enough. Say, what do you think about a little visit? I’ve got some campaigning to do among some of the other senators, I’m popping by almost every state in the union. Y’know, sit-downs, handshakes, but we’d hate to miss seeing you while we’re in town.”
Lorraine didn’t have to think long to remember Albert’s original position in the library crisis, to throw the whole thing under the bus for his own personal reasons. Then he was ready to fire Lorraine just for sending that open letter to The Denver Post.
But, it had been years and Albert had sacrificed his marriage, changed his world in a number of ways. Lorraine couldn’t manage to hold anything against him and she did want to see her old friend and former boss Carmen, especially if it meant not having to go all the way back to Denver.
Lorraine didn’t like to go back.
“That sounds great, Al. When can we expect you?”
“This weekend, actually. We’ll call when we settle into our suites at the Waldorf.”
“The Waldorf,” Lorraine said, “classy.”
She could feel Albert smile on the other end of the line. “I am a candidate for governor of the great state of Colorado, after all.”
After all, Lorraine smiled.
Sally Devonshire seemed genuinely enthusiastic though in that little Skype window on Lorraine’s laptop, it was hard to tell. “We’ve heard all about it, of course.”
Lorraine was prepared for the usual skepticism. “I don’t want you to worry — ”
“Worry?” Sally repeated. “Why ever would we worry?”
Lorraine wasn’t sure how to respond, lean
ing closer to the monitor to make sure she recognized her mother’s face. “No real reason,” Lorraine said slowly. “Jeremy’s a little uptight about it.”
Sally waved them off. “Your friend Jeremy was always a bit high-strung, dear, I wouldn’t pay it any mind. Maybe he should take a vacation or something.”
Larry leaned in on his side of the Skype connection. “We could visit, see you two and take care of the kids … get two birds stoned at once.”
Lorraine repeated, “Get two birds — ?” But it didn’t bear pursuing. Instead, Sally said, “Dear, we think it’s great, what you’re doing. I mean, what you did with the library, that was more than most people accomplish in a lifetime, and everything since, well … ” Lorraine knew what her mother was referring to; how well she married, her lovely daughter, her success with Ashe. Lorraine didn’t care to correct Sally, even if she was anxious to be considered on her own merits and not merely as Griffin Phoenix’s woman.
“What your mother’s trying to say,” Larry interrupted, “is that maybe we could join the family business.”
“How do you mean?”
“I’m an accountant, your mom is —- ” Sally glared at him and Larry corrected himself, resisting old temptations. “Your mother is in real estate. It doesn’t take rocket appliances to see that maybe we could set up one of your learning centers right here in Denver.”
“Denver,” Lorraine repeated, “really?”
“Of course dear,” Sally said. “Lincoln Park, Lower Downtown, plenty of areas that could benefit from such a thing.”
Lorraine wanted to believe that her parents had only the best intentions. She wanted to believe that. “I suppose that’s true. We’re working on our pilot program up here in New York. But there’s some question about our real estate holdings here.”
“Some question? Dear, with real estate, you either own it or you don’t.”
“It’s just taking a little time to get the information together. Phoenix Enterprises turns out to be a real labyrinth.”
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