by Arthur Rawl
Six hours later the conference room was filled with smiling faces, people shaking hands and patting each other on the back. All the documents had been read, signed and decorated with notary seals attesting to the validity of the signatures. In the center of the celebration Dieter had called Vienna to authorize the transfer of funds and now was all smiles and thanking everyone. Yes, finally the closing was done and for the moment no one, including me, cared about the mountain of post-closing work that had to be accomplished in the next two weeks. The only one not smiling was Robin.
“Why such a long face? You just earned half of a very big fee.”
“Alana said she would pick me up at ten tomorrow morning and we would go shopping.”
“I told you she would take care of the problem.”
“Carl, what are you talking about, there’s no time for alterations or finding other things like shoes and a new bag.”
“I’m sure she’ll have everything under control. Remember this city’s upscale retail shops are organized around supporting the relatively few super-rich families and I’m sure she knows just how to get everything you need taken care of.”
“It’s not possible.”
Alana seeing Robin and I in a huddle separated herself from the group surrounding Dieter, “What are you two looking so concerned over?”
“Robin’s shopping trip.”
“What is it Robin?”
“It’s just … well if I had your figure … I’m just not easy to fit.”
“Don’t be silly. Your figure is great and the shops are used to us women coming in all different shapes and sizes. Don’t worry we’ll get you something you will love. Carl, do you want to meet us for lunch at about one? We’ll be in the Jardims.”
“… how about something light? I’m sure dinner will be a big meal.”
Robin brightened for a moment, “Sounds good to me but I doubt if we will be done by then.”
Alana smiled broadly, “Are you still worrying Robin, we will be done and you will be very happy? I assure you of it.”
“How about meeting at the little café on Oscar Freire near the corner of Haddock Lobo where I usually have breakfast? I’ve noticed some nice-looking salads go by when I have been there at lunch time.”
“That’s not far away from where we will be. Is it alright with you Robin?”
“It’s fine, just fine with me.”
“Good, that’s settled, I will call BrasTel security when I go downstairs to close down my office to tell them to assign two cars to you for tomorrow. Now come on you two, let us mix with all those happy people for a drink or two and then get out of here.”
I was in the office early Friday morning. The first thing I did was go online to confirm the deal money was in our London bank account … it was there and I relaxed. Like every closing I had been through before tension had built unnoticed; would we be paid and would it be all what we were due. So far my collection record was good with better than ninety-five percent of my billings collected. Now I could start to worry about the additional payment for the post-closing work.
Next was a long list of emails I hadn’t had time to deal with the last several days. Two caught my eye, one from my lawyer in New York and the other from Mary Sullivan, my stepfather’s former secretary. I opened Mary’s first quickly scanning through it until I found the answer to the question I asked her weeks ago. She finally found my mother’s memento box full of correspondence concerning my father’s death, the award of the Victoria Cross and the medal’s Royal Warrant. Among the documents she found a letter on Brazilian Army stationary expressing sincere condolences and saying the writer was in the Vietnamese jungle clearing with my father at the time of his death. It said my father’s actions were beyond heroism demonstrating true love of his fellow man. The letter was dated about a month after my father’s death and was signed ‘Ignacio Aranni’. She went on to say the letter paper showed its age, the signature was faded and she felt it was genuine. The letter was dated but mother didn’t keep any of the envelopes so without the accompanying postmark there was no easy way to confirm its age.
I sat back in my chair staring at the screen. I really didn’t believe Aranni, he must have made up the story about my father saving his life. I always felt it was too much of a coincidence particularly when you consider Aranni’s history of manipulation, mayhem and murder culminating in the removal of an elected Brazilian government including president, legislature and courts without a shot being fired and replacing it by a military junta led by him.
Still, how could he have known of mother’s memento box? A bigger question was how could he have known where to find it? It submerged very deep when the family moved to Cadogan Square more than a decade ago and it took Mary weeks to locate it even though she made a complete inventory list after my stepfather’s death and the family archives formerly kept in London had been relocated to the country house.
Though still not absolutely convinced, it appeared I had to accept that my father saved Aranni’s life and coincidences do occur. I had to accept the situation as real even though I was not happy about it, accept it and move on. But, it still didn’t feel right to me that my father died to save someone like Aranni. It couldn’t be true.
My lawyer’s email was much more satisfactory. The Lead Director of Lazer’s restructured Board had invited him to lunch and during the meal offered to open negotiations aimed at settling my claims against Lazer. Since most offers like this usually came through the other side’s lawyer he felt this was a sincere effort aimed at containing the negative business press coverage litigation would attract. Attached to the email was a scan of a letter that was handed to my lawyer with the comment that it represented ‘a sincere starting place’ from which settlement should be promptly achieved.
I opened the attachment and was surprised to find it contained only four points. The first one didn’t surprise me. It required Robin and I to keep confidential all matters related to the settlement, the events leading up to it and the assignment to and performance of the CEO’s son on the BrasTel acquisition effort. The second, somewhat surprising as an opening position, the payment all base salaries due Robin and I for the remaining periods of our employment contracts in a lump sum upon execution of a settlement agreement. The third, also surprising, payment to Robin and I for possible reputation damage consisting of two elements, a.) issuance of stock in exchange for stock options held by Robin and I on a one for one basis and b.) a lump sum cash payment in an amount to be determined that will be split between Robin and I, twenty-five percent for Robin and the balance for me. The fourth and final item was the commitment of Lazer to provide ‘good references’ for the two former employees.
It didn’t take much thinking to shape an answer to his email. I said I would talk to Robin over lunch today. But, I was quite certain he should start preparing to negotiate what he considered a fair amount for the cash damages and whatever language he felt was necessary to have a tight agreement that protected both Robin and me.
When I pushed the send button and the status indicator displayed ‘Sent’ accompanied by a bright green glow from the screen and I felt lighter. A great weight of worry had been lifted from my shoulders and in its place was what I felt was needed to convince Robin our professional future was together. What she needed to know was I hadn’t turned my back on her or tried to cut her out of anything important and in truth all I was trying to do was protect her wellbeing. About half a million dollars paid under the contract and non-taxable damages amounting to two hundred fifty thousand in stock and a nice pile of additional cash would be enough to demonstrate I looked out for her best interests as I had in the past and would do in the future. She had to accept that I had done for her what a partner should … despite her truculent moments she would see it that way.
It took me more than an hour to go through the list of a hundred plus emails. Some were interesting like the new Hansen House Ltd. Alumni newsletter, others were important and needed answering and the
rest were pure garbage. When finished I turned to look down into the garden and I found myself comparing the rich energetic tropical plantings with the cool manicured garden behind my country house. One exciting and the other peaceful. As different as São Paulo and London, Alana and Shelly. Time was running short for a decision. It was also running short to meet Alana and Robin for lunch and to find out whether another crisis had been avoided.
Thirty minutes later Jóse Carlos squeezed my VW into a tiny space in front of the café on Oscar Freire next to my tree, “Congratulations I thought I would have to get out and go behind the boot with a shoe horn.”
“You should never let a parking space go to waste.”
Feeling comparatively lighthearted compared with the last weeks I answered, “I thought you were just trying to make it hard on our escorts.”
“I wish I could make it hard on them. They are always in my mirror and it makes me nervous. They stick to us like … I do not know the word. People who want you to give them money.”
“Beggars, that is the correct word but in the United States because their hands are always out palm up they are called panhandlers.”
“Yes that is the word I learned in New York.”
I handed Jóse a twenty Real note. “Why don’t you have lunch while I’m eating with Robin. I don’t think we have to worry about the car. No one could get it out of there.”
“Thank you, I will not go far Sr. Carl. I will be back in fifteen or twenty minutes.”
My door opened and I looked up into the face of my BrasTel guard, “Thank you, I didn’t know doorman services were included.”
“It is not but I was looking over the people in the restaurant. It surprises me that you come back to this place after your trouble here.”
“We English are stubborn. We will not be intimidated.”
“I think it is better to be careful.”
“I’m very pleased to hear that. You can be careful for both of us. I’ll be at that table. The one on the sidewalk next to the doorway. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes, Miss Robin’s man is sitting at the next table waiting for her. I will be on the other side.”
“There’s someone at that table already.”
“They will move.”
… and they did move after he leaned over the table and said something in a low voice to the older couple waiting for their lunch. It made me wonder whether I was still one of the good guys or whether I had changed sides. But that question remained unanswered because my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Alana’s laugh as she and Robin came around the corner from Haddock Lobo. “You two certainly sound like shopping was a success.”
Robin was wearing a grin wider than I had seen on her. “Are you two going to keep me in suspense?”
“Of course.”
“Robin …”
Alana answered, “We went to Daslu.” And Robin continued, “I’ve never seen a store like it. It’s not a big department store but they have everything from all the big European designers. They have dresses, shoes, bags jewelry and anything else you need.”
“You must have spent all morning running from rack to rack.”
“No, they have a bunch of relatively small rooms that are organized by color. You pick a color and the room you go into has everyone’s thing in that color. It’s the easiest time I’ve ever had putting an outfit together.”
“What about tailoring?”
“They have more seamstresses there than there are in New York. Alana and I are going back after lunch to see the results of this morning’s fittings. There’s plenty of time if something needs to be touched up.”
“Sounds like you’re going to need an advance on your bonus.”
“No, Dieter heard what we were planning to do and said if it is permitted he would add it to the bonus payment and have Alana lay out the money temporarily. It was ok with her.”
“Let’s think about it later. Right now I’m very happy you found what you liked and I can’t wait to see you model it tonight.”
We ordered and had started to eat when the BrasTel security agent sitting behind Alana and Robin jumped to his feet and crossed the street at a run. I looked after him and saw another dark-suited sun-glassed man wrestling someone back to the opposite side of the road. When I looked back another large man in a dark suit and sunglasses was calmly sitting at the table. Turning back to look at the opposite sidewalk I saw nothing but peaceful foot traffic and window shoppers. Alana and Robin were busy eating and gossiping and hadn’t seen what happened so I decided not to mention it. Why upset Robin before her big night.
After coffee I excused myself, “I’m going back to the office to finish a few things and then I’m going home early. I’ll have Jóse Carlos pick me up and at seven thirty will be in front of the Maksoud to pick up Robin.”
Alana held up her hand, “No, I’ll have my driver come for both of you. He’ll pick you up first Carl at seven fifteen and then Robin. I’ll let BrasTel know so they can coordinate coverage and you can give your driver the night off.”
“What about Robin’s clothes?”
“We’re going back to Daslu and then to my hair dresser. When we leave Daslu they will do a final pressing and deliver the things to Robin’s hotel. I’ll call the hotel and tell them to expect the delivery.”
“You seem to have everything organized so I’ll just go back to work and try to decide which one of my blue suits I’ll wear tonight.”
“Very funny.” The two women rose from their chairs as one, “We’ll see you tonight.”
They walked to the corner closely followed by Alana’s massive bodyguard. At the corner Alana stopped for just a moment, flashed a wide smile, waved and was gone. Then, I waved to the two BrasTel guards who were still at the table on either side of me, “What happened?”
“Pietro thought he saw a man with a gun under his coat come around the downhill corner and walk this way. When he started to cross the street towards you he was intercepted. He was carrying an automatic pistol.”
“Where is he now?’
“We turned him over to the Military Police a few minutes ago. No civilian is allowed to carry a firearm in São Paulo without a special permit issued by the Military Police. The only exception is when the firearm is dismantled and in the trunk of his car. We found no permit when we searched him.”
“You carry a gun don’t you?”
“Yes, each of us does. Before you ask, we are all retired from the Army Special Force and were issued the required permits as part of our retirement. This is done because we can be called back to service by the Army at any time.”
“Will you find out what he was doing?”
“No, not officially. If something involves BrasTel the head of Security should receive an informal call from a friend.”
“The head of BrasTel Security is also retired from the Army Special Force?”
“Yes, he was promoted to Colonel from Lieutenant Colonel just before he retired three years ago.”
“Thank you. I’m going back to the office.”
When we were halfway back to the office I asked Jóse Carlos if he had heard of the Army Special Force and received a crisp uncomfortable ‘yes’ and an equally uncomfortable look in the rearview mirror.
“What’s the matter?”
“It is something we do not speak of. Please do not ask more.”
“I will not ask anymore”, believing it a dark presence from the Golden Years still haunting the consciousness of the average Brasilian with ugly shadows from the past.
The building intercom buzzed at 7:10, “Sra. Alana’s auto Sr.” I crossed to the front window, Alana’s Mercedes was parked at the curb in front of the building and her bodyguard was standing by the rear door. Up, down and across the street there were no parked cars and only one pedestrian, an old woman slowly walking downhill. Perhaps this afternoon’s episode had been the tipping point. Caution was now my first instinctive reaction. I checked the street again and headed
for the door.
Fifteen minutes later we drove onto the Maksoud’s long crowded driveway. As we approached the hotel’s crowded entryway I didn’t see Robin, then I did. A tall woman wearing a shimmering black silk pants suit and a Persian print silk shawl separated herself from the crowd followed closely by her bodyguard. High heels and long dark brown hair that always had been up now flowed casually over one shoulder. It seemed like everyone on the sidewalk stopped to look at her.
The doorman opened the back door and Robin slid onto the back seat next to me, “Wow, I feel like a movie star. Everyone was checking me out, even the good-looking guys.”
“You look like a movie star Robin. You’ve been hiding it under your office conservative all these years.”
“Knock it off Carl. It’s the clothes and a little paint. That’s all.”
“That’s what it always is. Even with the most glamourous stars on the red carpeted TV shows except there usually is a lot more paint.”
“I guess that means you like what Alana and the shop helped me pick out.”
“It certainly does. Alana is going to have competition tonight.”
“Now I know you’re full of shit. She doesn’t wear any makeup or anything under those ‘almost tight’ outfits she likes to wear.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You really look damned good and much better than most. Now the General, do you have any questions?”
“Yeah, what’s he like?”
“Did you have a grandfather who doted on you when you were little?”
“We all had one or two.”
“Then you know the General. Get him in a relaxed moment and he is no different. His life is about his grandchildren. Sure he gets cold and calculating when he talks business but we all do to some extent.”
“Sure but most grandfathers stop at killing people and taking over countries.”
“The General would argue that he did it for his grandchildren and not himself.”
Robin lifted up her silk shawl and pointed at the Moon and Stars pin high on the front of her jacket, “I’ll bet he or his family didn’t own the places where these were born before he started looking out for his grandchildren.”