by David Kersey
“Adele, I’ve had an interesting day. The State Police have been here, and the television interview that we did an hour ago will be shown tonight at seven. How is your day going?”
“Yeah, you’ve had a day alright. I hope to hell you got the Mehras out of there. Tell me about that first, then we’ll talk about your stardom.”
“Amit is carrying out the plan he and I finally agreed upon. I haven’t heard from him yet, but he should be in St. Louis by now. He took the car Jack provided.”
“Good, I guess. That car bothers me a little. So the cops didn’t put you in shackles, so do you think you’re in the clear?” Her tone was stale, disinterested. Maybe she just awoke from a nap.
“Your guess is as good as mine, but so far, so good.”
“How did the interview go? Are you gonna make me proud?”
“Call me after you watch it. I think it went ok. The station manager that interviewed me didn’t pull any fast ones.”
“Two things, bucko. First, there’s a case of the dad-gummed avian flu up here in Lexington. This second one ought to turn you around. Ever heard of Yum Brands?”
“That is the food business, right? Like Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, maybe others.”
“Yeah, and you can add Pizza Hut. Yum owns them all, nearly forty thousand restaurants worldwide. And they just sold off Long John Silvers, so they’ve got some cash on hand. Do you recall Patricia saying she knew of a man who could write a big check, but she needed to get her arms around what we are doing?”
“I do remember her saying that. What’s up?”
“China is the fastest growing and most profitable location for the Yum stores. There are 3,200 KFC stores there, with a new store being added every eighteen hours. Chicken. China. Can you make a connection with what’s going on with the flu virus?”
“Yum is worried their customers will stop eating birds, is that where you’re heading?”
“Bingo. Not only worried. Their year over year numbers were down thirteen percent in China. That’s a huge number…….over a billion in lost revenue. Patricia talked with the man, the check writing man, who is the big shot at Yum. You know, they are based out of Louisville. The guy is nearly ready to write a check to start a brand new division featuring none other than NIL57. Pat says the guy is extremely interested. He even suggested a funded first right of refusal agreement that would include a non-refundable deposit. Plus she’s meeting with a UK trustee this evening. Could be some major interest from one or the other. What do you think about that?”
“All that out of this tiny, secluded forest.”
“Have you heard from Van?”
“Not yet. I may call him later. Autry tells me the Park Service is putting a gate up at our entrance, so I’ll have to get you a key for the padlock.”
“I’ll call you after I watch the show. I am not sure it will air here, but I’ll let you know.”
She hung up, of course, without saying goodbye.
He could hear it in her voice…..the flat tone…..no expression of mirth when Van’s jibe was mentioned. Something was different, as gossamer thin as spider’s silk, but it was there nonetheless.
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The original cell phone, Joshua’s old one, buzzed inside the left pocket of his robe. Incoming text….Paul McNally…. ‘Package arrived, safe and sound. Good hearing from you’.