The Pride

by Wallace Ford

  I truly hope that we can maintain our friend- ship although I know that you might not feel that is appropriate right now. But I am sure that you would have done the same thing … indeed, your new venture with Gordon and Diedre is proof of just that. In your new partnership I just don’t see a place or a future for me. As we have worked together I always expected that my future would involve our continuing to work together. Obviously you have chosen another alternative. And just as I have had to understand, I hope that you will understand too.

  Just for the record, I did not seek out this opportunity. I was initially approached by Merrill, and initially I turned them down. And then I thought about what you would do, and I called them back. There was no way I could tell you about any of this and there was no way that I could turn down the opportunity when our negotiations were finalized.

  I could go on, but it is probably best that I close for now. My new office manager (you will recall my secretary Lucretia) will call Berta on Wednesday to work out an orderly transfer of papers, belongings, etc., of all the people that are leaving and joining me.

  Please give my love to Charmaine and the boys.

  Ray

  P.S. The New York Times will be publishing an announcement that Monique and I will be getting married in June of next year. I want to extend the first invitation to the wedding to you and Charmaine. The two of you will always be like family to me.

  RRB

  CHAPTER 87

  Jerome

  Circle the wagons

  “Fellas, your mother and I have a few things to discuss. Why don’t you finish up your cereal in the TV room?” I felt a tremor in my hands that recalled my days of doing battle on the streets of Philadelphia, or was it New Haven?

  I tried to maintain some semblance of control while asking the boys to leave the room. I could only begin to imagine Charmaine’s reaction. I felt myself about to be blinded by rage and did not like the feeling at all.

  The boys were cool. They could always tell when something was up, and this was one time when they instinctively knew that my request did not require discussion. They quickly and quietly left the room with their bowls of Cheerios in hand.

  “Jerome, what on earth …?” I simply handed her the letter and sat down heavily. I mindlessly watched the surf play with the sand while waiting for Charmaine to finish reading the news of the day.

  “That son of a bitch! That motherfucking son of a bitch!”

  In the almost twenty years that I had known Charmaine, I had heard her curse on only two other occasions, and both of those were during childbirth. But her choice of words this time was right on point.

  “I just cannot believe it, Jerome. This is impossible. It’s got to be a joke … Jerome, everything that Ray is, is because of you! You, Jerome! How could he? How?”

  Charmaine got so upset that she started to cry. The hot tears that coursed down her cheeks were not from weakness or defeat. It was anger this time. It was rage, pure, distilled and unadulterated by anything resembling mercy or understanding. For long moments, all I could do was continue to stare at the letter that Charmaine was holding in her hands.

  I remember going into another zone of consciousness. Listening to the surf, I could hear the undercurrent of the boys laughing and horsing around in the TV room. I remember thinking about how very fine Ray’s stationery appeared. How very tasteful in his choice of the dagger with which he stabbed me in the back.

  “Jerome? You haven’t said a word. What are you going to do about this? You cannot possibly let him get away with it!” Charmaine’s voice started to bring me back to the planet, but I still just sat there.

  Rage and anger were rocketing and careening inside my skull and all I could think about for the moment was maintaining control. It was being able to maintain control that had gotten me this far. I was not going to let Ray Beard take that from me.

  For another minute there were only the sounds of Grover Washington on the house sound system as Charmaine and I looked at the letter and each other. And then I stopped staring into space and took the letter from Charmaine, placed it on the counter. I held her hands as I spoke to her.

  “You know that I have spent my whole professional life trying to build this firm so that it would be something more than a business—I have always wanted it to be an institution. I have wanted something that was not only going to be there for us and the boys, but something that would survive us all and be a part of history.

  “As I have tried to build this firm I have looked at a lot of businesses, especially black-owned companies. One of the things that I have seen is that too many of these firms start as family operations and stay that way.

  “Rather than trying to find the best people available they try and rely solely on family ties and familial loyalty. Then sons and daughters inherit control and management whether or not they are the most qualified to do so. I have never thought that this was the formula for long-term success.

  “From the very beginning, Charmaine, you know that I have not wanted to make that mistake. I have always looked for the smartest, most ambitious, sharpest people out there who would work for me …”

  “Jerome, I know what you are saying but …” Charmaine always had a knack for getting to the point, and she pointedly interrupted my little sermon.

  “But what? You have just been stabbed in the back by your closest business colleague. I love you darling, but you sound like you are getting started on a lecture instead of getting ready to get a gun or a baseball bat and go looking for that goddamned Ray Beard.”

  We both had to smile in spite of what was in that letter with the fancy stationery. She knew me too well. And she knew that the Jerome Hardaway that she had met twenty-something years ago would not be in control. But times do change and so do people.

  “Charmaine, you know that this betrayal is not something that I can neither ignore nor accept. I have to deal with it. I have always looked for people like Ray because he is smart, competitive and ambitious. When I found Ray I thought he was just the kind of person who I could mentor, groom and train to run the whole firm some day.

  “Right now it sounds ridiculous, but one of the biggest sticking points in the merger discussions had been my insisting on putting Ray on the Executive Committee of Morningstar. Diedre, Gordon, and Paul wanted only principals, but I would not move on that point and they finally agreed. I had planned to tell Ray about it tonight.”

  “Talk about irony dipped in horseshit. I am sure that Gordon and Diedre are going to get a real kick out of this news.” Charmaine always had a way with words.

  “Tell me about it. But you know, when you work with smart, ambitious and competitive people, things like this are going to happen. Sure, I think that Ray is a disloyal son of a bitch, but in the real world of business, I just cannot take it personally.”

  “Well Jerome, it’s clear from the letter that Ray did not trust you to look out for his interests in this merger and so he felt he had to look out for himself.”

  “Precisely. And if that is the way he felt, then his leaving is best for both of us, and for Diedre and Gordon too. And I am glad that I found out who he really is now instead of relying on him for something even more important in the future.”

  “So, what are you going to do now?”

  CHAPTER 88

  Jerome

  Mine eyes have seen the glory …

  “You know what, Charmaine? I am going to let Paul know and after that, I am going to do absolutely nothing. I am going to wish Ray the best of luck.

  “I don’t imagine that we will be very close or do much business together, but at the end of the day, business is business. It was my mistake to think that we were closer. But now I know and I have to move on.”

  “Well, it’s a little early to be calling Paul. You might wind up disturbing Diedre.”

  We both laughed at her reference. I had been keeping her posted on the all too transparent reunion of Paul and Diedre. We were surprised and happy for the tw
o of them.

  “Without talking to Paul, I can tell you right now that there is very little that I can do legally. On Wall Street people come and go all the time. Sometimes they take key personnel with them, sometimes key documents and information …”

  As I was speaking I was suddenly reminded of the need to anticipate the worst in people in these situations. I dialed Berta’s number and was thankful that she had not gone away for the weekend.

  I told her about Ray’s letter and the imminent departure of several employees. She knew about the merger, of course, so there was not a lot of news there.

  I then gave her explicit instructions to call a very special security company that I had had on retainer just for times like this. They were to be at my offices within the hour to secure the physical premises and to make sure that absolutely no one had access to any computers without my personal consent until I returned to the office on Wednesday.

  The firm’s local area network would be temporarily disabled denying all remote access. If Ray or any of his departing colleagues tried to access the firm’s computers, a virus would be transmitted that would permanently scramble and disable the hard drives of their computers.

  Standard instructions for canceling of credit cards and other privileges were also given. I also asked the security company to get a record of Ray’s phone calls and internet communications. There was probably some very interesting information to be found there.

  “Well, Charmaine, now I feel better.” I turned to her as I concluded my call with Berta.

  “At least I feel like I have taken some action. And now, we should just enjoy the rest of the day. I think that we have given Raymond Russell Beard III all the time he deserves. I am not going to spend any more time on him today, that’s for sure.”

  “Well, as far as I am concerned, Ray deserves anything that happens to him.”

  “You are probably right, Charmaine. But we will just have to wait and see what happens to him.”

  CHAPTER 89

  Diedre

  Who knows what evil lurks …

  By one o’clock on Saturday we were back at Gordon’s dining room table for a light lunch and some further discussion. Jerome gave us the news regarding Ray Beard. For a few moments we were all silent, registering and digesting and analyzing this bit of news.

  In the background you could hear the sounds of workers setting up tables, chairs, sound systems, lighting—all the appurtenances of a first class soiree. This luncheon was certainly not planned but Gordon, ever the proper host, had arranged for sandwiches and a light Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was just perfect for a sunny afternoon that provided just a hint that autumn was sitting in the waiting room.

  Jerome had told Paul, Gordon and me about his correspondence from Ray Beard by phone, hence the luncheon. No one had a real agenda, but Jerome felt that this was a Morningstar issue and none of us argued with the notion that it would not hurt for the four of us to at least consider the import of this latest development.

  As usual, Gordon was the first to speak. He had a sandwich in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. For a moment the image of a mythic black Falstaffian character crossed my mind. But it was time to focus on more important things.

  “Frankly, Jerome, I don’t even know why we are sitting here. The merger does not take place until Wednesday. So, technically and actually, Ray Beard is leaving your firm, and it’s your business as to how you want to deal with it.”

  “Jerome, although there might be other ways to say it, I’m afraid that Gordon is right. I’m not too crazy about this news involving Ray. I am sure that he would have been an asset to Morningstar, and we all know how much you think of him.” I took a sip of wine and continued, trying to stay calm even though my thoughts were all over the place at that moment.

  “But it’s your call as to how to deal with it. I am sure that we will support whatever you want to do.” I couldn’t believe that I was agreeing with Gordon so easily! But he was right.

  “Look, we are partners now. Damn the legal dates. I just felt that as my partners you had to know about this right away.”

  “Jerome, you were right to do so. And I am sure we both appreciate your being up-front about this Ray Beard business.

  “But you know I never liked the little son of a bitch anyway, and he was only going to be on Morningstar’s Executive Committee because of you. So you won’t see me crying any tiny tears over his departure.”

  Gordon had a way of putting things that would get under the skin of a rhinoceros. But this was one time when he was absolutely correct and I continued to find myself supporting his position.

  “Jerome, let’s think about this a little further. Ray may have been your protégé, but he wasn’t Gordon’s or mine. Key employees come and go all the time, and in the final analysis that’s all Ray was, an employee. You paid him. He worked. He got a better offer. He left. That should be the end of the story as far as Morningstar is concerned.

  “I know that Ray leaving like this must be a personal blow to you, but in the long run it won’t make a difference to what the three of us are trying to do. I really don’t know that there is a lot more that you need to say.”

  And, having already explained the situation over the phone, including the security precautions that he had immediately put into place, there really wasn’t a lot more for Jerome to say.

  “Well, I’m still glad that we met. Talking with the three of you has helped me to focus upon what was important. I didn’t want to let my emotions get in the way, and obviously we just have to move on.”

  As Jerome was speaking I realized that I needed to stop thinking about being in bed with Paul. I just didn’t remember him being so … adventuresome or insatiable. I tried to concentrate on the issues at hand as Paul spoke again.

  “Well, since the three of you want to make the first announcement about Morningstar tonight, I would suggest that you do it around ten so that you will have a critical mass of guests here, but the party won’t be in full swing. Just try not to get into too many details.”

  In trying not to think about the night before with Paul, and that morning and the night to come, I tried to focus on what he was saying and the plan of announcement and pre-announcement that we were considering. It wasn’t easy. My mind was on the meeting, but my body wanted to be someplace else. Someplace close to Paul. My only hope was to keep talking.

  “You know, we might want to consider that we are paying Edwina McClure a whole lot of money to hype this merger of ours at the announcement at Hue & Me on Wednesday. So why are we trying to upstage ourselves with this ‘pre-announcement’?”

  “Diedre, when you put it that way, I see your point. We have been looking at this all wrong.” It was amazing. Gordon and I were agreeing. Again.

  “I see what you mean, Diedre. Perhaps we should just let a few selected friends know this evening—not too many. That will certainly get the buzz going, even if we tell them ‘in confidence.’”

  Jerome got a laugh from all of us with that one. We had all had experience with the fact that anything told “in confidence” was usually up and down the street within twenty-four hours.

  “But you know, the more I think about it, Jerome, even the ‘selected friends’ distribution has its built-in problem. If we don’t want Wednesday’s announcement to be absolutely anticlimactic we should just keep the news to ourselves and family and let Edwina do what she is being paid to do.”

  I wanted to be sure that Jerome didn’t think that I was being critical of him. I needn’t have worried.

  “Diedre’s right. If we start talking tonight, by the time we get to Hue & Me, Morningstar will be old news, if it is news at all. Let’s just keep a lid on it until Wednesday.”

  “That’s fine with me. It will mean fewer headaches for us all. Can we plan to meet at my offices on Tuesday afternoon so that we can get the final details in place for the announcement? Let’s say three?”

  We all agreed with Paul’s suggestion
and then there was really nothing further to discuss. Jerome went back to his place to play with his boys. Gordon went back to his party preparations and I took the keys to Paul’s Porsche to go into Sag Harbor to get my hair done, leaving Paul with the afternoon to himself. I wanted him to enjoy anticipating our next night together.

  CHAPTER 90

  Paul

  The natives are restless

  Having some actual quiet time, leisure time, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, was just fine with me. I decided to use the time re-reading one of my favorite books, Mumbo Jumbo, by Ishmael Reed, who happened to be one of my favorite writers. I always have found the experience of distancing myself from those things that I had to do by entering the world of things that I wanted to do was a perfect form of relaxation and liberation.

  I slipped on my headphones and played Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father” and went into my other world, sipping an excellent Belvedere vodka martini with a twist of lime on the deck of Gordon’s summer home. For a moment I thought about the fact that I was a long way from Harlem. And then I realized that, in many ways, I was not that far from Harlem at all.

  If Harlem was a state of mind, then I was not far at all. The Pride was changing the very concept of where black people were supposed to be and what we were supposed to be doing there. I thought about it for a moment and thought that this was a very good thing.

  Reading the curious genius prose of Ishmael Reed while the piano virtuosity of Horace Silver coursed through the headphones, there was another channel of my mind that could not forget this Ray Beard business.

  I always felt that Ray was a punk, but even I was surprised that Ray had the nerve to strike at Jerome this way. Business is business, and the reality is that, emotions aside, Ray got a hell of a good deal from Merrill and took it. That should have been the end of the story. But I had a strange feeling that there was more to the story.