by Arthur Rawl
“He was an Italian who had me kidnapped when I went to New York for the Board meeting. I was taken to him in the Hamptons and to use an old movie line ‘he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse’. Unfortunately for him del Eccio didn’t live long enough to get my answer.”
“I guess he got Aranni’s answer. Again, damn it, you never told me anything.”
“No I didn’t and there have been other things I didn’t tell you. It was quite clear someone was looking out for us so why make you crazier than you were already making yourself.”
“Thanks for nothing. Well at least I’ll find out what it’s like working on the dark side.”
“… dark side! If you ask me, I can’t tell the sides apart. Their tactics are very much the same. You think Sam is any better. He destroys people and then leaves them alive to suffer. Is that all?”
“No … I’m angry. There’s nothing we can do about Aranni but dance to his tune. He has us with golden handcuffs and not a gun but there’s no difference, he’s got us one way or another. In your case I wonder where he’s applied the handcuffs. Who’s Alana?”
“Don’t be crude, it’s not like you. You heard him, she’s his ward.”
“What’s she to you?”
“I hope the next Mrs. Matthews but there could be problems.”
“You can say that again and we probably just met the biggest one.”
“There are another things I didn’t tell you including I met Aranni several times before. That’s why I wasn’t surprised when he showed up here this morning.”
“That was obvious. Like you asked, where do we go from here?”
“Just as the man said, get the deal done. Then we’ll worry about finding the next one. Finding it will probably take us back to London. You always liked London.”
“I don’t know Carl. Maybe it’s time for me to buy my ranch. I don’t like being kept out in the cold so maybe it’s time for us to go our own ways.”
“Robin I can’t tell you what to do but I would hate to see you become a cowboy. We’ve been together almost fifteen years. There are less than a handful of deals I’ve done that you haven’t been with me.”
“Maybe … but I haven’t been with you on this one. I measure the size of a deal by the number of new wrinkles we run into and not the dollar signs. Smoothing out those wrinkles is what makes it fun for me. I haven’t had any fun on this deal because I haven’t known what’s going on. Sure I make a lot of noise about not risking my ass but if it’s part of the deal then I should know what and why.”
“I understand and I’m sorry for leaving you out. I sincerely thought keeping out of some things would lower your profile and help keep you safe. If you think about it Robin, I have no one else in my life I can count on. I didn’t want you to get hurt, perhaps badly hurt.”
“We’re colleagues Carl not lovers. You cheated me not cheated on me. You cheated me of the reason I do this crazy work. You broke the trust there should be between business partners. I don’t know whether it can be repaired. I just don’t know.”
Chapter 25
“Herr von Lieghter please forgive us. The traffic is always so unpredictable in São Paulo. A car broke down in front of us a block after we left the office and the Brazilians seem to prefer complaining rather than helping push the car from the roadway.
“It is only five minutes. You English spend too much time watching the clock. Good day Miss Stephens, I’m delighted to see you are less troubled over five minutes than your colleague. He should learn your way is better for the digestion,”
“Thank you. I agree maybe he will. We’re both still young.”
“You are lucky Herr Matthews; you have a colleague who worries about you.”
“Yes I am. There is a small lounge just beyond the bar perhaps we should start with a drink and discuss business so lunch can be more enjoyable.”
The intimate lounge, perhaps four meters square and furnished with subdued red leather banquets along the walls formed by half-high partitions creating privacy from those in the dining room. Small round tables and a few chairs finished the space.
“Would you prefer a banquet or chair mien Herr?”
“The chair please it will be easier for me to get up.”
Robin and I slid onto the soft leather banquet on opposite sides of a corner. Her head was swiveling like a school girl in her first night club.
“The way it’s painted, it looks almost Chinese. The ceiling beams and columns are Chinese red and the walls a dark cream color like rice paper. It certainly doesn’t look like Portuguese design as I remember it from Lisbon.”
“I’ll agree that it doesn’t look like Porto or Lisbon where we did some business Robin. We should remember, unless the Dons at Oxford were off the mark, the Portuguese set themselves up in Macao and Yedo in Japan during the early fifteen hundreds. Perhaps the owners chose this look because it’s a form of Portuguese colonial and Brazil was also one of their colonies at the same time. Think of Amsterdam, we’ve all been there and have seen the impact of their former East Indian colonies on the cuisine and décor.”
“Ya, it is a good analysis. I see why my friends have such faith in you Mr. Matthews. I look forward to learn more as we work together. We will work together, yes?”
“Yes we will work together Herr von Lieghter. I was quite pleased with the information I was able to gather from the calls I made. Robin and I are delighted to have the opportunity to work with you. I have our engagement letter in my bag for your review and when convenient we will both sign two copies, one for you and one for us.”
“If you would be so kind, business can wait until later. First, wine and then lunch. My nose tells me the kitchen is good or better. What is your favorite here?”
“That’s easy although everything here is very good. They prepare very large very sweet shrimp, ones that were swimming in the ocean just hours before, in a brandied white cream sauce. What makes it unique is they take a melon ball tool and from ice cold, crisp tart apples they make balls and at the last moment they top the shrimp with them. The contrasts of hot and cold, the sweet rich creaminess of the brandy sauce with the tartness of the apples together they do indescribable things on the tongue.”
“Herr Matthews your description is beyond tempting, I must order this dish. What wine can we order that will not upset its balance?”
“Do you know Vino Verge, green wine from the lesser mountains of Portugal?”
“No I do not know this wine. It must be one of very few European varietals I have not tasted.”
“It is a white wine with a pronounced green cast and a natural sparkle. Tiny pin point bubbles that awaken the tongue as the slightly tart sweet fruity wine works its magic,”
“Ach, you are in the wrong business. You should be feeding people and making millions for yourself.”
“It makes a nice picture my friend but I have a weakness. I prefer eating to cooking.”
“Unfortunately you and I share the same weakness.”
Two and a half hours later after von Lieghter insisted on paying the bill in an amount equaling almost six hundred Dollars US, tip included. As we stood outside on the sidewalk close to the restaurant’s entrance waiting for our previously summoned cars Dieter couldn’t stop complimenting this detail or that about the meal.
“I enjoyed that more than my poor English will let me say. Gross Gott, they certainly are not bashful to charge fully for the quality of the meal.”
“There are a lot of very rich people in this city. You may have noticed some of the tables have small nameplates screwed to them. I’m told those are for the people who eat here almost every day. São Paulo is a city of painfully stark contrasts but somehow those in power keep the lid on and it seems a happy place … happy at least on the surface.”
“I have heard this said in many different ways. All of it adds up to the same thing my friend, the average Brazilian enjoys the life he is allowed to live and when he looks at the rest of his Latin American neighbor
s he believes he is better off. In truth, he is better off and the national politics reflect it. I have seen it with my own eyes during the last few days.”
“To business please. I will call BrasTel when I get back to my office and see if I can arrange for an introduction for you. If you will come tomorrow at ten”, handing him the draft engagement letter, “we can make whatever changes are appropriate and execute copies. I’ll have a light lunch brought in and hopefully after that BrasTel’s people will be able to join us.”
“I’m happy you said a light lunch, I could not do another like today so soon.”
“Good and here is your car. Until tomorrow then …”
“Yes, thank you so much for introducing me to such a wonderful place.”
Robin and I stood watching the grand old man climb into the back of his car with the help of the restaurant’s doorman. Standing with us, a few yards away, was our armed bodyguard who invisibly had remained within sight of us throughout the meal. He walked across the sidewalk paralleling our steps as we went to meet José Carlos and he to the chase car following behind.
“A drink first, three bottles of wine with lunch and dessert and then a glass of port after coffee. I need a long nap before I go to bed tonight.”
“I thought you could keep up Robin?” I can do it but not as often as I used to. It’s a ritual with a new client. One you missed out on before.”
“Don’t try to butter me up. The damage you did is done and I don’t think a meal and a few drinks will make everything better. You kept me in the dark on this one when it was certainly important to tell me the truth about what we got ourselves into. It was a bad move Carl, one that hits me right in my weak spot … security or should I say insecurity. Yeah Carl, it should not be a surprise, I do know that much about myself.”
We rode the rest of the way back to the office in silence. To mentally change the subject, I started thinking through what we had to do to rebuild the files left behind in Lazer’s office. We need to have credible non-confidential files available for review by the independent merchant bankers replaced and the confidential file reissued by BrasTel’s Board so we could issue a fairness opinion on the offer. If we don’t the directors representing the deal adversaries might just tell the Board we and therefore our client is not real.
Also, BrasTel would have to make a demand on Lazer for its documents as provided in the ‘break-up’ provisions of the Confidentiality Letter. After that I doubt if they as a government owned entity would wait for an answer but simply would just take them and anything else they thought relevant from the office on Paulista using some official looking document to convince building management to give up the building’s passkey.
I would have to tell BrasTel once they have taken their things out of Lazer’s office they need to certify anything taken from the office that was not originally delivered to Lazer by BrasTel but contained information covered by the signed Confidentiality Letter was either returned to Lazer or destroyed. Lastly, BrasTel would have to certify nothing was taken from the office that was not subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Letter both Lazer and BrasTel signed. If they don’t issue the certifications I can expect serious problems settling the legal matters concerning my old Lazer employment contract.
“Are you going to just sit there and ignore me Carl?”
“I wasn’t sure there was any more to say. The last thing I want to do is argue with you and make things worse.”
“You’re just going to let me walk out when this thing is over?”
“I hadn’t thought about it Robin. We have at least a couple of weeks work to do and want to focus on that. Maybe a couple weeks of hard work will help put things in perspective for both of us.”
“Maybe … maybe you think the quiet of a ranch will be a little too much right now.
You think you’re so goddamned smart. Maybe, two weeks isn’t a long time.”
The guard at our buildings garage leaned to look into the car then waved José Carlos to proceed down the steep drive to the underground lobby where a uniformed attendant opened the doors for us.
“Sr. Matthews, one of the Senator’s staff is waiting for you in your office. Naturally, Security has been informed.”
“Thank you. Has he been waiting very long?”
“No she has not been here more than ten minutes.”
Chapter 26
I was shocked by who was waiting. “Good afternoon Alana.”
Alana was sitting, legs crossed, on the leather sofa in the reception area. A thick worn leather document case was on the cushion next to her.”
“Good afternoon. I hope you do not mind an unannounced visit.”
“No, I’m delighted to see you.” Turning to Robin, “Robin let me introduce Alana Luz. Alana, this is Robin Stephens my oldest and most trusted colleague.”
Alana, uncharacteristically dressed in grey with a white linen blouse, rose with the smooth grace of a ballerina, took a step forward and extended her hand to Robin, “It is a pleasure Miss Stephens.”
“It’s my pleasure Miss Luz. You must be another of the secrets Carl has been keeping from me, one of the more pleasant secrets. Now I understand why he has been acting more like a human being lately.”
“Please call me Alana. If we have been keeping any secrets it was because we did not want the Senator’s business affairs to become more complicated.” Her face looking rather serious while still holding Robin’s hand, “I am sure you will understand the need for this and forgive our small … omission.”
“There is nothing to forgive Alana. When Mr. Grumpy here walks into the office smiling the world is a better place for the rest of us and looking at you I can easily see why he would be smiling.”
With one of Alana’s million dollar smiles, “Thank you for being so kind and understanding. Carl, I have brought some papers the Senator asked that I prepare for your deal files. If we can go to where there is a table I will explain what they are, what’s not there and why and whose eyes they are for. Naturally the copies of the signed originals are in Portuguese but there are certified translations for your use.”
I was staring at Alana in disbelief. Cool, efficient, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she was dressed in a trimly tailored conservative grey business suit. Even her voice was different. Still deep and resonant but crisp and matter-of-fact delivering a vocabulary that clearly spoke of a English language post-graduate college education, perhaps an MBA, a PhD or possibly the law.
“Ladies shall we move to the conference room. Would anyone like a coffee?”
“Thank you but none for me. The Senator’s staff brought in coffee while I waited and then they cleared when we were informed you had returned.”
“I’ll skip it also. After that lunch I probably won’t eat for a week.”
A conspiratorial chuckle escape from Alana, “I feel the same every time I leave Antiquarius but I never refuse an invitation.”
“You’d have to be crazy to refuse. Hey, how did you know we were there?”
“Hans Dieter told us of your plans at dinner last night. He and the Senator have known each other since the war but I met him for the first time last week when we finalized his Participation Agreement which happens to be the first document I want to give you. As you will see it provides him a one percent interest in the acquirer and its successors along with fifteen direct annual payments in US Dollars of $250,000. There is also a somewhat complex option agreement under which he or his estate can acquire another one half of one percent on the fifth anniversary of the deal closing.”
We spent the next hour and a half going through the remaining eighteen documents none of which was signed by the Senator. The buyer was always represented on the signature page by the Corporate Secretary supported by a Board resolution granting authorization to sign. Alana’s professional but rapid pace never wavered and any of our questions were efficiently dispatched in a fashion that made it quite clear she knew their details and backgrounds at a level of understan
ding that could have only been obtained from participation in the negotiations that gave them shape and substance.
“I’ve gone over a great deal in a limited amount of time. Look over the translations when you can. I’m sure there are things I missed or went over too lightly.” Pulling out two business cards and handing them to Robin and me, “Please call me with any questions. My office is downstairs so if necessary I will come up. If I’m not there my assistant always knows how to reach me.”
I looked down at her card, “Dr. Alana Luz, JD – Avogada”, damn she’s a lawyer. The Senator had taken her from a simple country home, raised and educated her and made sure she was admitted into Brazil’s professional elite whose mostly male members were the sons of Brazil’s wealthiest. No wonder she treated him as her father and felt bound by the duties of a daughter. God, I must have been blind not to see it … blinded by her beauty and the loneliness I also failed to see in the face looking back at me each morning from the mirror while I shaved.
“Thank you Alana. I now have a better understanding of why you were concerned about not confusing the Senator’s business associates.”
Her only answer was a brilliant smile that would have melted any man’s heart.
“A question driven by curiosity, where did you go to law school? At times when you were reviewing the documents for us you sounded like an American lawyer and at other times you sounded like an English solicitor.”
“You have a good ear. My JD, Doctor of Law degree is from Harvard University in Massachusetts and then I read the Law at University College in Oxford for eighteen additional months so I could help the Senator with matters relating to his English holdings.”
“Impressive … by the way, it’s not just my ear. It’s the fact that I spent most of the last twenty years with one foot planted on either side of the Atlantic. Why didn’t you tell me you are a lawyer … his lawyer? I thought …”