Ron excused himself, walked a few paces, and then turned to watch Mark and Blaine leave together. The three-block walk to Blaine’s apartment took less than five minutes, though it seemed like hours. Neither Blaine nor Mark spoke. They went to Blaine’s bedroom, undressed silently, and dropped onto Blaine’s bed. As they groped each other, Blaine asked, “Don’t you wanna take your gloves off?”
“They bother you?” Mark whispered.
“Not really. I kinda like the leather smell,” Blaine giggled.
After more groping, stroking, and struggling, it was obvious what Mark wanted.
“Bottom, huh?” Blaine chuckled as he reached into his nightstand and fished around for the K-Y. He didn’t mind being the top, but it always amused him when the macho types turned out to be bottoms.
“Lubricant?” Blaine offered.
Mark shoved it away. “I’m all lubed up. Just pump away, babe.”
As Blaine climbed on top, Mark slipped a leather strap around Blaine’s neck.
“Hey, what’s that for?” Blaine protested.
“Relax, you’ll like it,” Mark promised soothingly. “Very erotic. Better than drugs. As I pull tighter, you’ll get a real head rush. Your climax will be five times better.”
Blaine hesitated. “If you pull too tight, you could strangle me!”
“I trust you to stick your naked dick inside me. Shouldn’t you trust me?” Mark argued. “I’ve done this many times without any problem. Trust me. I know what I’m doing,” Mark assured Blaine as he reached up and French kissed him.
Still apprehensive, Blaine nodded his agreement. He pulled Mark’s powerful legs up and slid his penis into Mark without resistance, then began rocking back and forth gently.
“Harder,” Mark commanded.
Blaine pumped himself into a frenzy while Mark tightened the leather noose around his neck. Blaine felt slightly giddy. His erection had never been harder. Mark was right. The pressure around his neck was terribly erotic. With a giant gasp, Blaine came inside Mark.
Instead of releasing his grip, Mark tightened it. Blaine tried to scream, but couldn’t. His eyes bulged out. He couldn’t breathe. His face turned purple. Saliva dripped from his open mouth. Blaine struggled vainly to remove the noose from his neck, but Mark’s grip was too powerful. Blaine lashed out with his arms and legs, but Mark only tightened his grip. Blaine saw twinkling lights and realized there were no sounds. Then the world went dark for Blaine.
Mark didn’t release his grip until Blaine had no pulse. Then he dragged Blaine’s body to a closet, and suspended it from a beam with the leather strap. Mark pulled on his clothes, made the bed, and glanced quickly around the room to make sure nothing was out of place. He knew it would be a week or more before Blaine’s decomposing body caused neighbors to report a foul smell coming from his apartment. Of course, he might be discovered earlier if his smartass roommate began snooping around.
Seconds later, Mark stepped onto the street below, and removed his gloves. He was glad Blaine’s roommate had disappeared. Singles were so much easier. He let them screw him, then squeezed the life out of them. Their deaths were ruled auto-erotic-asphyxia. Mark felt he was performing a valuable service, like an exterminator, ridding the planet of vermin. One day, Mark was certain Allah would reward his good deeds.
As he returned to his car, Mark was pleased by his growing proficiency. After dozens of same-sex encounters, there was only one person alive who could attest to Mark’s attraction to young men. Micky Ryan. Mark needed Micky to draw Eric Price into the open where he would be vulnerable. Then Mark could finally have his revenge on the man who had cost him so much. When Micky had served his purpose, Mark planned to show his gratitude by granting him a quick, painless death.
CHAPTER 11
Eric admired and respected his boss more each day. Vincent Newhouse began his career as an accountant with the Soo Line Railroad. At age twenty-seven, Vincent tried to start his own freight hauling company, but failed to raise the capital. It took five more years of hard work, and loans from his wife’s family to launch what became one of the world’s largest corporate empires. Vincent’s modest freight hauling business grew rapidly as he expanded into truck manufacturing, equipment leasing, and commercial construction. At age fifty, Vincent’s eighteen-hour workdays and three-pack-a-day smoking habit caught up with him. He was rushed from his office to a nearby hospital emergency room with massive chest pains. Shaken by his brush with death, Vincent made some long overdue changes. He quit smoking, took daily walks, and loosened the tight grip on his company, allowing his subordinates more freedom. He spent more time with his wife and their two teenage daughters, and became more active in community affairs. When Eric began working for him, Vincent was sixty-two. His tall frame was lean and tan, with silver hair, and matching mustache. Vincent maintained a busy schedule, with a healthy mix of activities. Eric noticed Vincent seldom wore a suit, but always appeared dapper in hand-tailored clothing. Vincent was the corporate executive Eric aspired to become.
Eric approached Vincent’s office briskly, slowing almost imperceptibly to ask Vincent’s secretary, “Is he in?”
“Go on in, Mr. Price,” Jennifer smiled. She had been the first at NEI to notice Eric Price had only two speeds: very fast and very slow. When he hustled around with a folder in his hand, he was all business. It was not a good time to stop him, joke with him, or otherwise cause him to lose focus. When Eric wandered the hallways with his hands in his pockets and a faraway look, he could be approached about anything. Those moments were rare, but anyone who caught Eric in such a state could use it to great advantage.
“Spare a few minutes, Vincent?” Eric asked as he presented himself in front of Vincent’s desk.
“Of course, Eric. Let me finish this note and I’ll be right with you. Help yourself to coffee or juice.”
Eric mixed strong black coffee, cream, and sugar together into a golden, sweet liquid as he waited. The nice thing about Vincent, Eric thought to himself, was that he was such a gentleman, in contrast to guys like Sol Samuels and Richard Cranston. Busy as he was, Vincent never forgot his role as host. He remembered everyone’s name after only one introduction, yet many people were terrified of Vincent. Eric decided they feared his extensive knowledge, total recall, and remarkable ability to manipulate numbers in his head. It made people feel inadequate.
Vincent joined Eric at the coffeepot, laying a hand on his shoulder as he asked, “What’s on your mind today?”
Eric liked that. Vincent wasn’t afraid to touch him, unlike most men. The touch was never sexual, nor condescending. It was always warm, friendly, and non-threatening. “I’m convinced NEI should acquire a bank and I have a candidate in mind,” Eric announced.
Vincent gestured toward the conference table by the window, indicating they should sit there, instead of the sofa. “I’m listening, Eric.”
“NEI has relationships with over a hundred banks worldwide. We pay $200 million a year to have banks handle our payrolls, convert currency, transfer funds, collect receipts, perform credit checks, and other tasks. NEI has enough transactions to keep one big bank busy full-time. If we control our own bank, we lower our cost of doing business. I’ve worked up an analysis showing the potential return on investment for NEI and it’s very lucrative. Having our own bank would provide us with greater control, security, and timeliness. I know you’ve always avoided the banking business, but I think it’s time to reconsider that strategy.”
Vincent didn’t double-check Eric’s arithmetic since he knew it would lead him to the same conclusion. “What candidates do you have in mind, Eric?”
“The right bank must be able to handle a large volume of daily transactions in-house. It must have a skilled international banking department and state-of-the-art systems. It doesn’t need to be an American bank, but it’d be easier since most foreign nations are squeamish about letting outsiders control their banks. I narrowed the field to six, but one candidate surfaced as the overwhelming favo
rite. It’s big enough, has the necessary technology, and I can almost guarantee regulatory approval. What’s more, it’s right in our backyard and can be had at a bargain price.”
Vincent raised his eyebrows. “InterNorth Bank?”
“How’d you guess?” Eric grinned.
“It makes sense. You’re positive this is not a vendetta to settle an old score?”
“Positive. I’ll turn the whole project over to someone else if you approve the idea. My only concern is what’s best for NEI. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out this opportunity.”
“Of course,” Vincent nodded. “You are the best person to see this project through to completion. You know banking better than anyone at NEI. Go ahead, but be careful to separate your personal feelings from your professional responsibilities. By the way, how do we get around the laws forbidding non-banks from owning banks?”
“I was worried about that, too,” Eric admitted. “Our legal department tells me we can have several of our subsidiaries hold minority interests in the bank. The sum of those minority interests will give us control by proxy. It’s a lot of paperwork, but all quite legal,” Eric assured Vincent.
When Vincent sensed something troubling Eric, he asked, “Is there a problem?”
“Two problems,” Eric sighed. “InterNorth might balk at being acquired by NEI. If they mount a stiff takeover defense, that could raise the purchase price considerably. I would prefer to have a third party acquire InterNorth. A strawman if you will. Also, if we’re pursuing InterNorth as an acquisition, your position as a director of InterNorth is a conflict of interest for you and for NEI.”
“Absolutely right,” Vincent nodded. “Have you got a legal opinion on your strategy?”
“Legal says everything’s fine, but you must resign from InterNorth’s board.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll resign immediately. As soon as that minor detail is taken care of, go ahead with your plan.”
Finally, Eric’s smile appeared. He could not deny there would be enormous personal satisfaction when his plan was complete. Though neither had mentioned it, Eric knew it had been InterNorth Bank which refused to grant Vincent the loan he needed to start his business so many years earlier. The acquisition of InterNorth would be a bittersweet victory for both men, yet each was careful to make sure the deal made economic sense as well.
“Eric, NEI has never been big on titles. I’ve been the only president and CEO in company history, and there aren’t that many vice presidents for a company our size. I’d like you to be the first Executive Vice President of NEI and join our board of directors this month. I plan to make it clear to everyone, both inside and outside the company, that you are my second in command and heir apparent. That is, if you want the job.”
Eric beamed proudly. “I’m honored, Vincent. I accept without reservation.”
A carefully orchestrated sequence of events unfolded over the next four months. First, Vincent resigned from the InterNorth board. Next, NEI publicly announced it was severing its banking relationship with InterNorth, a step not missed on Wall Street. Since NEI was InterNorth Bank’s largest customer, several mutual funds dumped their InterNorth stock, sending the price plunging from $52 a share on April l to $32 on May l. The entire market value of InterNorth dropped a staggering $8 billion dollars in only thirty days. When the chairman of a privately owned lumber company offered to buy InterNorth Bank at $42 a share, the InterNorth board gratefully accepted the offer, pending regulatory approval. On July l, the InterNorth board met to consummate the deal. Moments after cash and stock certificates changed hands, Eric Price entered the InterNorth boardroom.
The room was silent. InterNorth board members and officers were puzzled by Eric’s presence until he addressed the lumber company executive. “Wayne, I’ll give you $50 million dollars more than you paid for your InterNorth stock. It’ll be the fastest, easiest money your family has ever made.”
Wayne and Eric met at a gay AA meeting and became close friends right away. Last male heir to a dwindling lumber fortune, Wayne had been chastised his entire adult life by his family for lacking progeny and business acumen. Grateful for Eric’s constant supply of business advice, Wayne was eager to repay him. “Done!” Wayne smiled wickedly.
Eric removed a cashier’s check from his coat pocket. “I just happen to have a certified check for the exact amount. Sign a sale agreement and you can be on your way.”
As Wayne signed documents, InterNorth’s chairman shot out of his chair. “By God, I smell fraud! I don’t know what’s going on, but you can bet your ass our attorneys will be all over this! We’ll have you in court so fast it’ll make your head spin!”
Eric leveled his gaze at InterNorth’s chairman. “By all means, Philip, have your attorneys investigate. They’ll find Wayne and I registered our agreement with the Securities Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve yesterday. NEI was dissatisfied with the management of this financial institution last spring, which is why Vincent resigned, and why NEI withdrew its business. Wayne recognized InterNorth stock was undervalued and bought it as an investment. He heard several NEI subsidiaries were looking for a bank to invest in, so he approached me. This is all on record with the SEC, Federal Reserve, and Comptroller of the Currency. Please check it out, but don’t waste too much time. Remember, you’re on our payroll now. It shouldn’t take more than a week to satisfy yourselves that this is a legitimate transaction. I’ll expect everyone back here precisely one week from now. Your absence will represent your resignation.”
Eric smiled and waved good-bye as he disappeared through the ornate boardroom doors.
It took only two days to conclude the transaction transferring control of InterNorth Bank to NEI was legal and binding. Even Justice Department attorneys assured InterNorth a lawsuit would be an expensive failure.
All of InterNorth’s senior officers and directors reappeared precisely one week after Eric acquired the bank for NEI. Eric appeared promptly, just after the last person had filed into the boardroom. Scanning the room quickly, he was astonished to find there had been no defections.
“I’m surprised to see all of you here,” Eric admitted. “I trust you have satisfied yourselves regarding NEI’s control?”
As CEO and chairman of InterNorth’s board of directors, Philip Schick spoke for the group. “Our legal counsel believes the transfer of control to NEI is legitimate, so we’ve been advised not to press suit. NEI’s General Counsel was kind enough to send us a copy of the board minutes authorizing you to act on NEI’s behalf. We are at your disposal.”
“Excellent!” Eric beamed, then nodded graciously. Not only had he executed an important part of NEI’s long-range plan, he had done so at a cost several billion dollars less than it would have otherwise taken, all in only four months.
Standing before nearly a hundred of his former colleagues was a moment Eric wanted to savor, yet he was uneasy. He realized his moment of triumph could quickly become a nightmare if everyone at InterNorth conspired to make the acquisition fail. “I’m sure you’re all anxious to know what NEI has in mind for InterNorth,” Eric began. “We do not intend to cannibalize the bank. On the contrary, we intend to invest a large amount of capital to handle an increased volume of business. InterNorth will become the financial arm of NEI, executing all our transactions around the globe. You will also continue to serve your existing customer base. InterNorth’s charter requires it to have a board of directors comprised of senior officers, major depositors, and members of the communities it serves. Therefore, all current board members and officers are invited to remain in their positions with a few changes. I will represent the parent company as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Philip, you will have the titles of President and Chief Operating Officer if you choose to remain.”
Philip winced slightly, but nodded his acceptance. He didn’t know how he was going to work for a man young enough to be his son, but for the moment he had no choice.
“I know how thi
s bank operates from the ground up,” Eric continued. “I still have many friends working in the trenches. We’re going to make some changes in the corporate culture. No one will have a position based on family ties. Too much time is spent on internal politics. Too many customers have left because of employee indifference. I need your help to change the corporate culture.”
Eric surveyed the room for reactions. They were all paying attention, but not one pair of eyes met his own.
“I am ordering only one termination today. Richard Cranston, you are dismissed as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. You covered your tracks when Vincent had you investigated, but there’s no escape this time. Security guards will accompany you to your office. You have thirty minutes to pack your personal possessions. Then you’ll be escorted from the building for the last time.”
Eric signaled the guards posted at the main entrance. They circled the room to the chair where Richard Cranston sat staring icily at Eric. Richard had not moved a muscle the entire time Eric spoke. When one of the guards prodded him, Richard shook him off. He slid his chair back from the table, rising slowly.
“Getting rid of me? Is that what your takeover trickery was all about?” Richard snorted.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Richard! Terminating you is simply a housekeeping chore like taking out the trash.”
Richard chuckled as he lowered his head, staring at the floor. “What I can’t understand is how you’ve managed to fool all those folks at NEI. You were never very capable when you worked for me. Must be getting by on your looks. Or, is it your performance outside the office? Perhaps in the bedrooms of NEI male executives?”
Shocked murmurs rippled through the room.
Eric gazed evenly at his former boss, masking his anger. “I’m not ashamed of being gay, Richard. My record at NEI speaks for itself. Now, get out of my boardroom.”
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