We Promise Not to Tell

by Albert Able

  As Raines turned slowly back to the two bodies on the bed, all he could see was Jonathan laid back on the pure white sheets, his slim muscled body seemed to glisten in the discrete light and Raines’ erection returned with a vengeance.

  “See” Loraine played with the rejuvenated member “now we can all have some fun together.”

  Raines walked dreamlike to the bed leaned down and touched the Apollo like body; Jonathan sat up and pulled Raines to him and during the next hour the four of them tumbled and squealed; going through every imaginable way of penetrating each other’s bodies they could dream up.

  Eventually Raines Bullock admitted defeat and as he sat exhausted on the edge of the bed, normal rational thinking gradually returned and a shiver of fear trickled through his body.

  Chapter 20 - Connie

  The video pictures are never quite so clear when relying on the artificial lighting in the ‘Top Floor’ especially if they had been dimmed too much. However the images on this occasion were not only clear enough to positively identify all the characters involved the sound track was perfectly audible.

  Of course Jonathan, Hannah and Loraine had nothing to fear they were some of Max Harris’s most reliable acquaintances.

  Stan was unusually excited when he reported the next day. “I think we have Mr Nasty, exactly where we want him. However we need a little more than just discrediting him now we have to make him want to take over the hotels himself.”

  I was fascinated by the idea that Bullock would want to take on the hotels personally. “Why would he want to do that?” I asked.

  Stan stroked his beard. “Well first of all I feel certain that he has the desire to change his life style and I am confident that he relishes the kudos of being a flamboyant hotelier lifestyle. Most importantly” Stan wagged his finger “you must remember Mr Nasty has been a banker all of his business life, always reviewing other peoples projects and being secretly jealous of their success but now he believes that he can make his own fortune by taking over the project,” Stan chuckled “he may be going to have a big surprise but that’s another story.”

  I felt even further out of my depth but I trusted my old friend. “We’re in your hands Stan,” I held his arm “and I hope Mr Nasty gets his ass bitten.”

  “Such language my dear.” Stan scolded me with a wink.

  Having insisted that I go with them to the bank this time Marcus made me promise to hold my tongue and not to insult Raines Bullock, as I had on the precious visit.

  We were kept waiting as usual. Raines Bullock had been trained in that old school where you try to take every advantage of the people being interviewed, using any number of little tricks, which might give you an edge. Keeping you waiting for at least ten minutes was one; sitting in a higher chair than the rest of the meeting was another.

  Raines Bullock sat behind his desk; we all sat on the lower soft chairs. “So what progress have we made?” He asked without preamble.

  Stan looked at us “Okay if I take it?”

  “Carry on.” Marcus waved his hand.

  “We are still looking for the complete solution but and I hope you won’t mind if I come right out with it but first things first, does the bank still intend to call in the personal guarantees?”

  “Of course, they have no alternative if the loans are not repaid in time.” Bullock looked sternly at us.

  “I see.” Stan stroked his bear characteristically. “It’s just that you seemed so interested in the hotel the other evening at dinner. I had the clear impression that you would relish the idea of being in the hotel business yourself?”

  Raines Bullock was playing poker and made a casual indifferent gesture.

  “You see” Stan looked at us briefly “quite frankly if we don’t find a solution we will be personally bankrupt, finished, our homes will have to go and well, that doesn’t bear thinking about.” Stan looked at Bullock for a hint of sympathy.

  Instead Rained Bullock leaned forward “That’s about the size of it” he paused brow furrowed, eyebrows raised “and you don’t have a lot of time left!”

  “Exactly.” Stan retorted easily ignoring the intimidation “which is why we are asking if the bank will take the hotels over and we will run them for you.”

  Raines Bullock sat back; you could almost hear his mind racing as his own little plan unexpectedly falling into place.

  “What exactly did you have in mind?” Bullock questioned without expression.

  Stan leaned back. “Quite simple really, you, the bank that is, take over all our properties; you cancel the cross and personal guarantees and employ Marcus and Connie as your managers.”

  For the briefest of moments Bullock looked pleased with himself.

  “I will have to consult the Board of Directors of course before any proposals can be considered” he puffed out his chest emphasising his importance “I do however have considerable personal discretion. So leave it with me for a couple of days. I’ll contact you when I’ve made my decision.”

  The meeting was over so we all stood up; this time as we made to leave, Raines Bullock offered to shake our hands. I discreetly ignored the offer as did Connie the vision of him lying naked in the arms of that fair-haired young man was still far too vivid in our minds.

  We knew now that we were going to enjoy the next meeting even more.

  Chapter 21 - Marcus

  I don’t think we had ever seen Stan looking so excited when he entered the office that day. “I have spoken with Max and I believe we have the perfect medicine for Mr Nasty.”

  Stan carefully outlined the strategy. Raines Bullock was to be confronted with our proposal that the bank or Bullock personally, take over the incomplete hotel together with all the relevant charges, at the same time the bank would cancel our joint and several personal and the corporate cross guarantees on both properties. Connie and I would retain City Express with its original mortgage only.

  “Mr Nasty is of course going to make a big fuss until he is confronted with these” Stan tapped the folio he had placed on the desk “but neither of you will have to appear at the bank, it would not be good for him to think that you knew about his little indiscretion or the pictures” Stan smiled impishly as he got ready to leave “Max as the restaurant franchisee has agreed to do that bit; that way he can assure Mr Nasty that the secret is strictly between them and then my children we can get on with creating your empire, yes?”

  Connie stepped across and hugged him. “Oh Stan however will be able to repay you?”

  Stan hugged her briefly and then pushed her gently away. “You silly girl, I’m just paying what I owe.”

  Chapter 22 - Marcus

  Raines Bullock was fully convinced that he would personally be able to manoeuvre the bank loans and the various guarantees in such a way, that he would be able to take over the hotel development project and City Express hotel, allowing him to break free at last from what he considered to be ‘his boring structured banking career’, and languish in the relative ease of what he saw as the hotelier lifestyle.

  Last weeks little bonus with Loraine and Jonathan had convinced him that there was a better life awaiting him and that he was making the right decision.

  Completing the building project he reasoned would be quickly and easily achieved with his contacts in the building trade; consequently he was irritated when learned Max Harris had called to make an appointment to discuss the Detori’s hotel project. The last thing he needed at this time was a disappointed restaurant franchisee crying on his shoulder, on the other hand he reasoned, I will need someone to run the restaurants; it can’t hurt to listen.

  Max Harris attended the bank at precisely the allotted time.

  The secretary greeted him politely “Please take a seat Mr Bullock will only be a few minutes.”

  Max smiled at her. “Tell Mr Bullock that I am here, at the appointed time” Max tapped his watch “and he either sees me now or he will read about in the papers!”

  The secretary flushed a
nd scurried into the manager’s office; seconds later Bullock appeared at the door his face like thunder. “What’s all this about?” he demanded.

  Max pushed into the office; the secretary hurried away giving Max a wide berth.

  “I think Mr Bullock, Mr Raines Bullock of Glendale Lodge Burton on Trent that you had better sit down.” Already suspicious of Max’s intentions Bullock lowered himself slowly into his chair.

  “Do you know who I am?” Max addressed him.

  Bullock nodded understanding; he knew exactly who Max Harris was, although a reformed character now, his previous history was a legend in the area.

  “As you know I own the restaurant franchise at the City Express Hotel and have the preliminary contracts for Mr and Mrs Detori’s next hotel,” Max smiled artificially; he did not wait for an answer “now you may not know but Mr and Mrs Detori are not just business partners they are also my personal friends and I understand the bank are threatening to foreclose on them.” Max held Bullock’s stare.

  Raines Bullock leaned forward in his chair having quickly regained his composure. “Your friends are in debt up to their ears and the bank wants its money back.”

  “Well at least we both understand that and so now, the only thing we need to understand is how we achieve that yes?” Max raised an eyebrow.

  Bullock was relieved, he wasn’t sure what he had been expecting but he hadn’t thought it would be quite like this. “Perhaps Mr Harris you should tell me exactly what you have in mind?” Bullock settled back smugly.

  “Certainly,” Max drummed his fingers on the large manila envelope he had placed on the desk “you I believe, have ambitions to own hotels?”

  In exactly the same manner as poor old Dan Forrester, Raines Bullock had made a small fortune from desperate customers trying to buy salvation; experience told him that this was usually about the right time to strike.

  In the past however Bullock had always accepted the ‘brown envelope’ inducement in cash but this time he was convinced it was going to be an opportunity to strike out for the ultimate ‘Jack Pot’.

  “Could be.” Bullock confirmed cautiously.

  “Good,” Max made himself comfortable “then I believe I have a plan which will do exactly what you want and we, that is the Detori’s’ want.” Max nonchalantly tapped the A4 envelope he had placed on the desk. “I understand that you have full authority at the levels of borrowing we are talking about?”

  Raines Bullock nodded.

  “That’s good ‘cos it’s very simple really, we are prepared for you to take over the property currently being redeveloped but not the City Express. You should arrange for the bank to cancel the cross guarantees and the Detori’s personal guarantees over all the properties. This will leave you owning the hotel in development and the Detori’s’ the City Express free of course of the personal guarantees. Is that all quite clear?” Max raised his hands.

  Bullock leaned forward. “I hear what you say but it won’t happen quite like that, you see there is no way they are going to be released from those guarantees. You’re right I do intend to take over the hotels but they won’t be off the hook until then. Is that quite clear?” Bullock sat back with a determined expression.

  Max reached forward and flipped open the envelope. “Somehow I thought you might say that,” he carefully pulled out the A4 photographs selected one and passed it to Bullock “take a look at this and then tell me if you still want the City Express as well.”

  Raines Bullock cautiously reached across and took the picture. Loraine was leaning over him as he suckled into her breasts.

  An icy chill enveloped Bullock’s body. “You bastard,” he gasped “how did you get this?”

  “My friend Hannah, she’s a keen photographer.” Max was enjoying himself. “How about this one?”

  Bullock reached with a trembling hand, the picture showed him having sex with Loraine her legs entwined around his corpulent body, his buttocks pinched with effort.

  “Now about those cross loans and personal guarantees?”

  Bullock was hardly able to speak. “You’ll have to give me time. I may have authority but if I am going to be able to take over the bank loans just like that, they would have to be sanctioned by another equally qualified Director.” Bullock tried desperately to defend his position.

  “Exactly,” Max furrowed his brow “I take it you do know Leslie Whittaker, the corporate loan Director?”

  “Of course I do but he’s not going to sign the deal without all the usual due diligence, is he?” Bullock huffed.

  Max Harris extracted another sheet of paper from the envelope.

  “My lawyer drew this up and it only requires you to sign, Leslie has approved it already.”

  Bullock hand trembled slightly as he took the sheet of paper; in two simple sentences it embraced all Max had requested regarding the loan and guarantees. The formal transfer of the properties would follow.

  “You bastard” he accused Max again “does he know about these?” Bullock pointed to the photographs.

  “No and don’t worry, these are strictly between you and me and that’s how it will be for all time. Always assuming you don’t try to be clever?” Max’s face split with a genuine smile.

  “Okay you bastard I agree.” Raines Bullock took the pen Max was holding out, signed the papers and pushed them testily back to Max.

  “Thank you.” Max examined the signature and compared it with another document on the desk and nodding approval. Max witnessed them with a flourish. “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I want the conveyance completed within the week is that also clear?” Max pushed the last sheet of paper towards Bullock.

  “Of course” the completely defeated Bullock sighed throwing the pen back to Max.

  “Good” Max compared the signatures again “and remember just in case you have any ideas of reneging somehow on this deal, copies of those pictures are already addressed and ready to post to your wife, the board of governors at your daughter’s school and of course the board of directors of this bank and oh, I saved this till last, just in case you think you could delay or brazen it out.” Max pulled the last picture from the envelope.

  It showed three people sprawled across the bed with Loraine apparently enjoying oral sex with Bullock who at the same time was hungrily having oral sex with Jonathan. “You should see the movie version” Max added with a subtle shake of the head.

  Bullock’s complexion had turned to pallid greenish colour and he could hardly breath.

  “Don’t worry, it’s just between us remember?” Max stood up “Oh and you can keep those, I have the originals in a safe place.”

  Chapter 23 - Marcus

  I never asked Max how he managed to get the other director Leslie Whittaker’s signature on the documents. I knew he would never tell me anyway but right on cue the conveyance was completed within the week and we were free of the crushing debt we had so stupidly accrued, even more importantly free of the personal guarantees.

  Stan and Max were like a couple of young athletes who had just won their first international race. “Now we can start to build that empire and this time on rocky ground?” Stan hugged an emotional Connie.

  “Oh Stan,” was all she could say as the tears of relief welled up.

  “I can’t claim I had anything to do with this but I have an inkling who has.” Stan pulled away and gestured towards Max who remained pokerfaced as ever. “Anyway there appears to be a little bonus as well.” Stan held out some documents. “These are the final figures showing the actual mortgages on City Express and all other liabilities including the trading overdraft.”

  I scanned the figures; surely there was something wrong. It only showed the first mortgage, both of the subsequent charges appeared to have disappeared.

  The other pages showed the hotel development property transferred to Raines Bullock, the new valuation shown was at least fifty percent higher than on the previous assessment. Raines Bullock had obviously manipulative the numbers i
n order to complete the transaction without passing over a single penny.

  Stan stroked his beard and shook his head knowingly “I tell you that I predict Mr Nasty will be deeper in the mire than you were within the next two years” he took the papers back from me “and do you know what; there couldn’t be amore deserving bloke.”

  It turned out that Stan was a little out with his calculations because it almost three years later when I received a call from the bank asking if we would be interested in a contract to manage the distressed ‘Three Towers’ hotel as it had been named; for the bank it would be a last ditch measure before it drifted into receivership.

  Out of curiosity I accepted the invitation to assess the situation. I soon discovered that Raines Bullock had done as so many other budding hoteliers had done before him; basically trying to live an impossible dream, which in turn had run the business into the ground. This is typically caused by a total lack of real management skills, in particular allowing staff who, free of any discipline or effective control, systematically bled the business dry, whist in this particular case, Raines Bullock played the role of generous flamboyant hotelier.

  When he finally realised that the whole business was washed up Bullock fled the hotel together with the contents of the safe and the young receptionists, with whom he had been having a wild affair. Neither of which lasted very long.

  I soon discovered, as I had in the past, that whilst the hotel had been so badly run, the introduction of a few minimal controls would easily get the business back on track and so we accepted the contract to manage the hotel for the bank.

  Avoiding receivership almost always offered the best opportunity to save at least some of the creditors money and the generous management fee, was going to provide us with a much needed additional profit stream.

  About a year later, the skinny body of a ragged tramp was discovered by the riverbank, not a million miles from where Stan had once made his lonely home; Raines Bullock’s adventure in to the hospitality industry had finally come to an end.