“One former member who managed to escape the Church tells me it stands for cruelty,” Ralph adds after a moment. “She can tell some real horror stories about POTCH and their retreats.”
Maya’s eyes drop to her shoes. She isn’t sure she wants to hear about the depths of Teddy’s cruelty.
“Theo’s idea of punishments and rehabilitation,” Ralph continues, not noticing her response. “He’ll lock people in dark rooms for days on end and play tapes of his voice. After hearing nothing but his teachings for days, people can come out pretty warped. Most of Theo’s ideas go back to my favorite theory of what the ‘C’ stands for: coach. It implies the group’s leaders are always essential to your success and spiritual journey. No matter what positions of power and influence you reach, Theo should always be by your side for guidance.”
Maya squirms in her chair, uncomfortable with the thought of how much sway he could have over Robbie. She hasn’t thought about reaching out to him since Teddy’s break-in and wonders if he also forbade Robbie from seeing her again. He couldn’t even go to a baseball game without Teddy accompanying him. Plus, Jalen mentioned to her that he’s in their office every day. She doubts Robbie would ever break a command from Teddy for her.
It suddenly dawns on her how easily Teddy could kill this entire story.
Realizing Ralph’s now analyzing her reaction, Maya tries to move the conversation along without having to explain anything to him. “So, the members aren’t all about caring?”
“Does locking someone in a dark room for days sound caring to you? The survivors have told me some real horror stories. While high ranking members are living a dream life that they work hard to portray to potential followers, the lower ranking but highly indoctrinated followers can be put through hell. Those who manage to escape still endure emotional and financial trauma.”
“Would you be able to put me in contact with any of those victims?”
“No, they’re never victims,” Ralph corrects her. The passion in his eyes startles Maya. “Theo convinces his followers that being a victim is a mindset and it’s how regular people think. POTCH helps them surpass that. There’s nothing more insulting to a POTCH survivor than being called a victim.”
“Sorry. But if they’re survivors, why do they still believe in some of the Church’s crap?”
“Cult indoctrination is incredibly powerful. It takes years and lots of work to untangle that web. Some of the more innocent and empowering teachings stay with former cult followers forever.”
The thought of Robbie never turning on Teddy sends a shiver down Maya’s spine. Deep down, she knows he’s a nice guy and a good person. She hates that he’s fallen into this mess. But he’s definitely involved with the group. And if Ralph’s right and he’s a high-ranking member, what level of entanglement and culpability does he have?
“How does someone move up the Church’s ranks? Is it just about seniority and dedication to the group?”
“Not at all, some of the lowest ranking members are their oldest devotees. POTCH is all about themselves. Followers who can help the group, or at least Theo, are the ones who rise. The easiest way to help is by convincing more people to join. It’s kind of like a pyramid scheme in the sense that if you bring two or three new followers into the fold, you’re seen as their superior and are a level higher than anyone who isn’t recruiting.”
“So, it’s a pyramid scheme and a cult? These people prey on their family and friends?”
Just like when she was in the room with them, Maya believes the FBI’s going after the wrong man. The more she learns, the more convinced she is that Teddy’s the real criminal here.
“Oh yeah. I’ve heard some horrifying stories from families when their loved ones tried to indoctrinate them in POTCH.”
Crossing her legs and biting her lip, Maya wonders if Robbie’s trying to bring her into the group. The reporter in her wants to let him for the story it could lead to, but the thought of visiting Teddy’s compound and being his slave terrifies her.
This time, Ralph doesn’t seem to notice her reaction. “There are other ways to climb the ranks, besides recruiting. POTCH has excellent finances, thanks to the ludicrous cost of their courses. If someone dedicates themselves and their wallets to attending as many classes and retreats as possible, POTCH rewards them and holds them up as a standard for other members emulate. Some people go bankrupt trying to impress the Church. The rarest rise to power in POTCH is already having real-world power. Sometimes, if a person is important enough, Theo lets them skip a few steps from the bottom and enjoy the privileges that come with being a more established and esteemed member. It’s unusual, though I’ve heard about some politicians and corporate executives being treated like slaves around the compound. I think Theo records it happening and then uses it as blackmail to prevent them from ever trying to leave.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“That’s how Theo thinks of himself.”
Maya hates hearing all of this, but in her heart, she’s praying Robbie joined the group as a powerful figure. She can’t bear the thought of him recruiting other people into this crap or wasting his fortune on it.
Leaning back in to whisper again, Ralph drops the final bombshell on Maya. “I think someone high up at the Star is either a member of the Church or is being blackmailed by Theo. Even with the threat of lawsuits, it’s absurd how little they’re willing to print about these guys. It’s a major story just waiting to break in our own backyard and they’re forcing my head into the sand.”
Leaning back, away from Ralph, Maya contemplates her options going forward. If the Star is killing stories on POTCH, will they let her write about the fraud of a high-profile follower? Will it be possible for her to include any mention of the Church in her stories about Robbie? Is she crazy for not bringing these concerns to the FBI and helping them?
“So, do you want to cover the birthday celebration with me?” Ralph asks.
Maya jumps to her feet and starts walking out of the newsroom as soon as she hears the question. “Thanks for waiting for me tonight, but I need some time to think about this story.”
Ralph offers a polite but meek wave as she leaves, doubting he’ll ever hear from her again. POTCH tends to have that effect on people.
Waiting for the elevator, Maya’s suddenly nervous about anyone seeing her even talking to Ralph. It’s not enough that the FBI’s definitely watching, and Teddy might be too, now she needs to worry about her own employers.
Chapter Fifteen
There are few activities Jalen hates more than golfing. He especially hates it in the middle of November in New York with temperatures cold enough to close many of the courses.
Yet somehow, Robbie keeps managing to find an open course to drag him to. It’s always with the excuse of a business meeting. He doesn’t buy that today’s round was Chris’s idea; Robbie’s brought him to too many golf course meetings for him to believe the investors keep suggesting it.
“You find your ball yet?” Robbie yells from the golf cart back on the fairway.
It pulls Jalen out of his head and reminds him that he’s supposed to be looking for the golf ball he hit into the rough knee-high grass at the edge of the course. Truthfully, he’s just been stomping around on the weeds and complaining internally.
“No, I’ll take a drop,” Jalen shouts back as he steps out of the rough and fishes another golf ball from his pocket. It’s a telling sign of Jalen’s golf skill that he always keeps a couple extra golf balls in his pockets while they’re out on the course.
Not bothering to watch where the ball lands after his swing, he’s already walking back to the cart before his ball hits the ground. Robbie tells him it’s a decent shot as he climbs into the golf cart, but he’s hardly listening. He’s imagining being somewhere warmer.
While Robbie drives them toward the flag, he’s busy breathing into his hands to warm them up and convey his dissatisfaction.
“Does the clubhouse serve hot chocolate?” Jalen asks
.
“You’re such a drama queen.”
“Why can’t you and Chris like basketball more? I’d love to be having this meeting at a Knicks game. Not outside watching my breath in the air every time I speak.”
“Stop talking then. Easy solution.”
Robbie pulls the cart up to where his ball’s lying and jumps out before Jalen can respond, forcing him to take the advice and keep his mouth shut. They’re close enough to the hole that he starts walking with his putter, hoping that the movement can warm him up.
“Nice of you gentlemen to join us,” Chris calls out as Robbie takes a practice swing. He’s already standing on the green with one hand holding the flagpole while the lawyer he brought along is lining up a putt.
“We can’t all spend as much time practicing as you do,” Robbie yells back. “Some of us are busy working day jobs.”
“All I hear are excuses.”
“Not excuses, just proving how hard I’ll work to manage your money. Would you want to invest with someone who kicks your ass with his irons?”
Chris shakes his head but doesn’t answer. He recognizes it’s a good point, whether he wants to admit it or not.
Robbie hits his ball right over Jalen’s head, landing within inches of the hole. While Jalen trudges along, Robbie jogs past him and pulls his marker out of his pocket to replace the ball. Robbie’s embellished movements remind everyone that he’s now the closest to the hole.
The conversation dies down as they all focus on sinking their putts to end the hole. Jalen’s happy to keep using his breath to warm up his hands instead of the air around him. They each know Chris is well out in the lead, so they don’t bother to announce their scores as they approach the next tee box.
“My team was impressed by your presentation this week,” Chris announces while he cleans his gold ball. “The review of your documents and records is progressing smoothly. That’s why I brought one of my lawyers along today. Maybe we can reach a deal before the eighteenth hole.”
Stepping forward with his driver, Robbie’s happy to hear it. Although, he’s beginning to wonder if Chris is timing his announcement to specifically get in his head and throw him off his game. It’s not like his scores need the sabotage, but Chris keeps doing it. Placing his ball on the tee, he waits to respond to Chris. It’s his meager attempt at keeping focus in his chase for runner-up.
Jalen’s not pretending to focus on the game he detests. “We’re happy to hear that. Maybe you guys will stop dragging your feet just before this round of contributions closes.”
Chris laughs in response, again interrupting the wind up to Robbie’s swing. He isn’t falling for Jalen’s pressure tactic.
“I’m sure Robbie would keep any round open for my money. He seems particularly interested in this partnership.”
Finally completing his swing without an interruption, Robbie smashes his ball toward the flag off in the distance. It’s one of his best shots of the day, but he still expects Chris to outperform him as they pass each other in the tee box.
Like Jalen, he’s growing sick of waiting around for Chris, and he’s hoping to close this deal today on the course. He finds golf is always the best time to reach agreements without any lawyers getting in the way. He didn’t expect Chris to be one of the investors who brings his lawyers everywhere, even out on a golf course.
“I can only do so much. Wyatt’s always on my ass about compliance. Even a future senator has a limit to the special treatment I can dole out.”
“Oh, please. I’ve been visiting funds for months. I know the compliance officers and legal counsel have no sway in business decisions, so don’t feed me that crap.”
“My fund’s not like every other fund.”
“I’m sure,” Chris interrupts. He isn’t able to resist as he thinks back on his meeting with the FBI.
“We take regulations and laws seriously,” Robbie finishes.
Chris rolls his eyes but manages to keep his mouth shut. John told him the documents are providing useful information and some promising leads, but nowhere near enough to arrest Robbie. So, he agreed to schedule this meeting.
The plan is for him to enter into an agreement with Robbie before they return to the clubhouse today. The FBI is hoping they can track some of the money he invests with Merry Men as it moves through the markets. It’s a long shot. The more likely path is they’ll find large expenses Robbie makes in his personal life and profits paid to earlier investors that correspond with Chris’s investment. They’re expecting that to be enough for another, more thorough search warrant. John wants to flip Robbie’s life upside down and rip through everything he owns.
“Wyatt’s a pain in the ass,” Jalen adds as Chris winds up for his swing. “But the SEC loves him and he keeps us in their good graces.”
Chris shoots Jalen a dirty look as he resets his stance and takes another practice swing. He doesn’t know if Jalen’s trying to distract him on purpose, like he’s doing to Robbie, or if he’s completely uninterested in the results of this round. Either way, Chris keeps his mouth shut. He’s happy to let them think they’re steering clear of trouble as the noose tightens around their throats.
Finally, Chris manages to strike the ball and follow through on his swing. They all watch as it sails to the flagpole and lands on the edge of the green. It will be an easy tap in to make birdie, enough reason for the rest of the foursome to curse under their breaths. Chris doesn’t need any help extending the lead he’s already built.
Robbie’s sick of losing at golf. He figures Chris wouldn’t have brought a lawyer along with them if he wasn’t interested in reaching a deal. He’s ready to move in for the kill.
“Anyway, we have a pretty standard-issue contribution agreement. But I expect nothing is straightforward with you. What kind of terms are you going to try and squeeze out of us?”
Chris smiles, relishing the opportunity to put Robbie through the wringer. If John’s right and Robbie is a fraud, Chris wants him to suffer for attempting to steal his money. Besides prison, the best way Chris can think of is through a brutal and petty negotiation focusing on minor details. It’s why he brought a real lawyer along with him today instead of another hack from the FBI.
To Robbie’s amazement and chagrin, they spend the rest of the round negotiating and haggling over minor details of the potential contract. No decimal is insignificant as far as Chris is concerned. Neither Robbie nor Jalen can remember ever suffering through a contribution agreement like this. Frankly, Jalen’s surprised that Robbie's willing to put up with it. People normally beg him to take their money and invest it; they don’t make him work for it like this.
But Robbie kind of likes it. In his mind, he’s assuming that the more diligent Chris is about the contract, the less involved he’ll be after the ink dries. He’s hoping for radio silence once the investment’s in his bank account and the fund’s managing it.
By the time they finish the final hole and are tallying up their scorecards, a deal’s been reached. Taking off their cleats and gloves, everyone feels satisfied. Long term, they don’t realize the other is seeking completely different objectives for this investment.
Opposite goals that won’t leave either happy.
Chapter Sixteen
Walking through the cavernous Connecticut office, Maya can’t help but remark on the similarities to the Merry Men offices. Both workspaces share the same white marble floors with glass walls surrounding an open concept bullpen populated by fancy computer terminals on similar white desks. She wonders if hedge funds have a guidebook they have to follow when they’re designing, or if they all just hire the same decorators and architects. She only visited Robbie’s office once before a date, but walking through this similar space is giving her an eerie feeling.
The secretary Maya’s following finally stops outside one of the ‘private’ glass offices and holds the door open for her. Walking past the secretary, Maya offers an appreciative smile and slips into a chair opposite the large black meta
llic desk in the center of the room. As far as she can tell, it’s the only desk that breaks the norm from the rest of the office — a symbol of the power that sits behind it.
“Thanks for meeting with me,” Maya says as she places her phone on the desk to record their conversation.
She’s met with a finger in her face. It’s pointing to the sky, indicating their conversation will need to wait for another minute.
Doing her best to avoid taking offense, Maya uses the time to look around his office. There are no pictures anywhere in sight. The man must not have any family, or at least none that he cares about. He does have one baseball bat in a glass case behind his desk, but even when squinting, Maya can’t make out the signature on the bat. There’s also a putter propped up against the window facing the parking lot, indicating he doesn’t work too hard when reporters aren’t waiting for him.
Bored by the decorations in his office, Maya turns around to see if anyone else in the fund is watching their interaction. Sure enough, there’s a group of men in suits huddled together trying to look casual as they all steal constant glances toward the office. Based on their age and general demeanor, she assumes they’re employees at the fund. They’re probably wondering why their boss is taking time out of his day to meet with the press, something they would never be allowed to do.
Over by the elevators, there’s another more serious looking man standing alone and watching her intently. Based on the expensive Italian suit, freshly shined shoes, gold watch, balding hairline, and lack of computer, Maya assumes he’s a lawyer. As she sits here, waiting for the increasingly long minute to conclude, his eyes never stray from her. She’s not even sure he’s blinking.
His intensity begins to make her worry that she isn’t the only one recording this meeting. She wonders why he isn’t in the room for the interview, since he’s obviously so interested in it.
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