The Vulture Fund
Page 38
Mace took in the surroundings for several moments as the other men sat down. This was a room he had never before been allowed to enter, the Partners’ Room.
Walker Pryce was smarting from the terrible publicity it had suffered in the press. The executive committee—Webster, Marston, and Polk—was behind bars, awaiting trial, and the government had levied a half-billion-dollar fine against Walker Pryce. But Walker Pryce would survive—and prosper.
Mace watched Cox shuffle papers. The franchise was too strong. The firm had too many relationships and too many strong people to suffer permanent damage. And the half-billion-dollar fine was nothing more than a short-term problem for Walker Pryce. It was still going to earn a billion dollars this year.
Cox coughed several times, and the room became deathly still. “Mr. McLain, would you please rise?”
Mace pushed the chair back and rose slowly. His eyes flashed around the room at the assembled partnership. He did not know why he had been called here tonight. Perhaps they wanted to grill him on why he had not been smarter, on why he had not seen that there was something amiss with Broadway Ventures. It was the first time in six weeks he had been to the firm.
Bentley Cox began, speaking in a strong, nasal voice. “Be it known to all partners that Mace McLain has been awarded full partnership status at the firm of Walker Pryce & Company.” Cox looked up from the leather-bound book and smiled at Mace. “Congratulations, Mace. You are the youngest partner in the history of the firm. And the only one who ever went straight from being a vice-president to a partner.”
A huge cheer arose from the partners, and they stood and crowded around him to pump his hand over and over.
* * *
—
Rachel stood at the window of Mace’s seventh-floor office, arms folded across her chest as she looked down on Wall Street. The wound from the bullet that had passed through her abdomen was healing nicely. It had been touch and go for a few days, but after convalescing for six weeks, she was feeling almost back to normal.
Mace moved through the door of the office, and she turned from the window. “So? What did they want?” She moved to him, and he took her in his arms.
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to make love to you again.”
A look of mock irritation crossed her face. “Don’t hold back on me. Tell me. Now.”
“He’s just been made the youngest partner in Walker Pryce history.” Bentley Cox leaned into the office and winked at Rachel. “And now he’s got to live up to that status. You two can take one week off, and then I want you both back here ready to go. Go to the Caribbean, have some fun, and then get yourself back here ready to work.”
Mace smiled and then looked from Cox down to Rachel, who was still in his arms. “The Caribbean’s for losers. We’re going to Detroit.”
“Detroit?” Rachel and Cox said the word in unison.
Mace raised one eyebrow. “Yup. That’s where Andrews Industries is headquartered. Preston Andrews agreed to hire Walker Pryce yesterday. The assignment starts tomorrow. And there’s a lot of work to do out there. That company’s bleeding a million dollars a day of cash.”
Cox shook his head. Mace was as driven as he had heard. Cox laughed and said good-bye.
Rachel turned back to Mace, a disappointed look on her face. “I was hoping we’d have some time together before you dived back into it.”
Mace gently pulled Rachel close to him and laughed. “There’s one thing I didn’t tell Bentley.”
“What’s that?” She broke into a smile, not knowing exactly why.
Mace took her face gently in both his large hands. “I’m taking a deal team of five people with us out to Detroit. I’m going to spend one day at the company telling those people what to do. Then you and I are flying to Rome to get married.” He paused and gazed into her sparkling azure eyes.
“But what about the policy?”
“What policy?”
“The one that says employees can’t get married and remain at Walker Pryce.”
Mace tilted his head to one side. “You aren’t seriously thinking about working here. I mean, I’ll be earning enough for…”
“Well, Mr. McLain,” Rachel interrupted with mock anger. “I’m surprised at you. I worked my tail off at Columbia. I want a chance to be a partner here too.”
“Oh.” Mace pushed out his lower lip.
“So I guess we have a little problem.” She smiled up at him coyly.
Mace shook his head. “No, we don’t. We’re getting married,” he said forcefully. “I don’t pay attention to policies anymore. Especially Lewis Webster’s.”
Rachel smiled and kissed him deeply. “I guess we’re getting married then.” She pulled back slightly. “Don’t ever let me go.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
For my wife, Lil,
and our daughters, Christy and Ashley.
Everyone deserves a miracle.
I was given three.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to:
Peter Borland, my editor at Dutton. I am constantly impressed with his outstanding abilities.
Peter Schneider, Marketing Director at Dutton. He deserves a great deal of credit for this project.
Cynthia Manson, my agent. Every writer should be so fortunate.
Richard Green and Howard Sanders, film agents. Thanks for the tremendous energy and enthusiasm you put into this.
Mace Neufeld, Rob Rehme, Dan Rissner and Innes Weir. I’m grateful to you all.
Gordon Eadon, who was always willing to help.
Stephen Watson, a business partner and true friend.
Jim and Anmarie Galowski, pre-submission editors and great friends.
The Money Desk at WestLB: Chris Tesoriero, Jim McPartlan, Betty Saif-Bambara, Tom McCaffery, Mark Randles, Damian Harte, Bill McCormick, Chris Doyle, and Rob Ely—you all are the best.
Brooke McDonald, a big help at Bloomberg and a wonderful cousin.
* * *
—
At Dutton, I’d also like to thank:
Peter Mayer, Elaine Koster, Arnold Dolin, Michaela Hamilton, Leigh Butler, Denise Cronin, Aline Akelis, Lisa Johnson, Mary Ann Palumbo, John Paine, and Kari Paschall.
* * *
—
Others to whom I’m truly grateful:
Robert Wieczorek, Jr., Jeff Hilsgen, John Paul Garber, Roland and Susan Chalons-Browne, Rick Stoddard, Dileep Bhattacharya and Nita Mathur, Mark and Sharon Walch, Pat and Terry Lynch, Barbara Fertig, Walter Frey, Horst Fuellenkemper, Stewart Whitman, Kevin Erdman, Gerry Barton, Franz Vohn, Rick Slocum, Kheil McIntyre, Karen Hoplock, David Lawrence, Keith Min, June Drewes, Mark Rothleitner, and Glenn Stylides.
Photo by Jerry Bauer
STEPHEN FREY is a vice president of corporate finance for a major investment bank in Manhattan. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.
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