by David Archer
“Good, good,” Conley said. “Rob, one of the top partners is coming in later today. Can you have dinner with us tonight?”
“I… Sure, just tell me what time and where.”
Mayweather gave him the name of the restaurant and told him to meet them there at seven p.m.
“I’ll be there,” Noah said. “Should I go buy a new suit, maybe?”
Both men chuckled. “Don’t worry about it,” Mayweather said. “The one you’re wearing will be fine.”
Noah glanced down at himself and shrugged. “Okay,” he said. “Um, I don’t suppose you want me to bring my wife?”
“Oh, no,” Conley said. “None of us ever involve our families. You haven’t told her anything, have you?”
“Lord, no,” Noah said. “Marsha would freak out if she had any idea what we’re doing. Hell, she volunteers at animal shelters and children’s hospitals sometimes. If she had any idea I was involved in something like this, she’d leave me in a heartbeat.”
“And she’d probably rat you out in the process,” Conley said. “Women couldn’t handle this sort of thing, they are way too soft. It takes a man to do what needs to be done in this world. God, could you imagine if a woman ever actually got into a position of power? The world would be doomed.”
They talked for a few more minutes and then both men got up to leave. As soon as they had driven away, he went to the break room to get Marco.
“Is everybody on?” Noah asked once he and Marco were back in his office with the door closed.
They all responded that they were listening, and Noah quickly make sure they were all aware of the conversation he had just had.
“All right, here’s how we’re going to play this,” Noah said once they were all up to speed. “I’m going to keep my subcom on with the microphone turned up all the way. As soon as I’m introduced, Neil, I want you to start learning everything you can about the person I meet. I want to know who he works with, associates, family, everything.”
“I’ll get everything possible,” Neil said.
“Jenny and Renée, I want the two of you to be at the restaurant. You should get there a few minutes before I’m scheduled to arrive and try to sit where you can see most of the dining area. I don’t anticipate needing any backup, but I will want your observations.”
Both women responded that they were on board with the plan, and Noah decided it was time for him and Marco to head back to the apartments.
SEVENTEEN
Noah pulled up and parked the Charger at the restaurant a few minutes before seven. “You girls in place?”
“All set,” Jenny replied through the subcoms. “Your man Conley is about three tables over from us, with three other men.”
“Good,” Noah said. “I’m coming in.”
He got out of the car and walked through the doors, spotting Conley and Mayweather instantly. There were two other men with them. One of them looked to be in his seventies or possibly older, and the other was probably in his early fifties. Noah walked past Jenny and Renée as he made his way toward the table, and then Conley spotted him and broke into a smile.
“And here he is,” Conley said loudly. “The man of the hour. Rob Townsend, I’d like to introduce Albert Carrigan and Hank Schlatter. They’re two of the top partners in our company.”
Carrigan, the older man, rose from his seat and smiled as he extended a hand toward Noah. “Mr. Townsend,” he said, “it is genuinely a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been sitting here for the last fifteen minutes hearing such praise for you that I almost feel like I’m making the acquaintance of a celebrity.”
Noah smiled modestly. “I think the pleasure’s all mine,” he said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunities.”
Schlatter also stood and shook his hand. “Mr. Townsend.”
“Mr. Schlatter, it’s a pleasure.”
They sat and a waiter came to take their orders. They all ordered the steaks that the restaurant was famous for and drinks from the bar, and then they were relatively alone.
“Mr. Carrigan,” Noah began, but the old man held up a hand.
“It’s just Albert,” he said. “We are all partners, so we are all equals.”
Noah grinned in acquiescence. “Very well, Albert,” he resumed. “May I ask where you’re from?”
“Certainly,” Carrigan said. “I live in New Jersey, not too far from New York City. I manage the eastern branch of our operation. I understand you’ll be coming up to pay me a visit very soon, to implement your new logistics into our firm. I just wanted to come down and meet you, and perhaps discuss some of your ideas.”
“I’d be glad to,” Noah said. “You know, organ transport is a very big business. Getting the harvested organs to the people who need them in time is critical. With some of the new technology available today, the old standard of being able to reach the recipient within four hours has been extended, and we will have that new technology available very shortly. Once we do, we could conceivably provide organs throughout the entire western hemisphere.”
Carrigan nodded. “So I understand, and that is a very large part of our business, of course. However, are you aware that there are other segments? I’m thinking that some of your ideas might be adaptable to those, as well.”
Noah narrowed his eyes. “Okay,” he said cautiously. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
Carrigan glanced at Conley, who was sitting to Noah’s right. Conley leaned close to Noah.
“We don’t just sell parts,” he whispered. “We sell, shall we say, complete units as well. You know, special orders people want.”
Noah turned and looked at him, then whispered, “You mean like slaves?”
Conley grinned. “Yeah, you could say that. Most people think of them as toys. Especially the, uh, the newest models.”
Noah stared at him for a moment, then raised his eyebrows. “Oh,” he said. “Oh, I see.” He turned back to Carrigan. “I actually wasn’t aware of that until now, but I suppose it makes sense… I’m not sure where I would fit into that.”
“Why, the same way, my dear young man. Transportation, that’s what it’s all about. Some of those—products, I suppose, have to travel quite a distance. I’m sure you can imagine the problems that can create, especially using normal methods of transportation. I’m wondering if you could devise something that wouldn’t leave us at risk.”
Noah stared at him for several seconds, then slowly nodded his head. “I’m sure I could,” he said. “There are methods of shipping such things that would keep them from moving around or drawing any attention. They’d be packed in special containers, completely safe and sound but, um, deactivated—and they could be reactivated after delivery.”
Carrigan grinned. “That would be perfect,” he said. “It’s similar to something else we looked into once before, but I believe your expertise might help us to achieve it properly. The last time, oh, it was terrible. We had packages arriving in a terrible condition, beyond any hope of salvage. You sound like you might have a method of avoiding that sort of problem?”
“I think I can,” Noah said. “There would be some necessary chemicals involved, and a system for monitoring the condition of the product. But yes, it can be done, and without letting too many people in on the trade secrets. Someone will probably have to accompany each item, but they wouldn’t even know what they were carrying.”
Carrigan turned to Conley and Mayweather. “I want him to have whatever he needs,” he said. “No limits, we can simply charge the cost off to the customers, anyway.” He turned back to Noah. “Now, Robert, let us discuss your future. Do you like it here in Texas, or would you rather work at the home office with me?”
Suddenly, Noah heard, “Neil to Noah. Albert Carrigan, seventy-four years old, he’s the same Albert Carrigan that once served as Attorney General to the state of New Jersey. He’s a retired attorney, but he’s also the main stockholder of a company in Trenton called Treasure Procurement, which just happens to be one of the biggest corporate spons
ors of Life Gift America.”
“Wow,” Noah said. “Can I have a moment to think it over?”
“Certainly,” Carrigan said. “Where’s the waitress, I want another drink.”
Neil went on. “Treasure Procurement, his company, claims to be involved in locating rare collectibles, but it does over three billion dollars a year from a building smaller than this apartment. As far as I can tell, they don’t own a warehouse or shipping dock anywhere. No sign that anyone has ever questioned how they make that kind of money. I’m working on Schlatter now.”
Noah had listened while trying to give the impression that he was considering Carrigan’s question.
“Well,” he said, “to be honest, we just got moved in here. I’m not going to say we wouldn’t move, but I certainly hadn’t thought about it before this moment. How soon would I have to give you an answer?”
Carrigan laughed. “Well, it’s not like you have to decide tonight. Besides, you’ll be coming up to see me in a week or so. You might decide you like it up there. Bring your wife along, I’ll make sure we have plenty of time to socialize during the visit. She might like it up there, especially with all the potential for advancement.”
Schlatter had been quiet throughout this exchange, but suddenly held up a hand. “Just wait a moment, Albert,” he said. “Robert—may I call you Robert?”
“Of course, sir, but I prefer Rob,” Noah said, grinning at him.
“Rob, I handle the western district of our business, at Las Vegas. I’m extremely interested in getting your operation working out there as soon as possible. We ship quite a bit of product, and I’d like to streamline that aspect of our business.”
“No problem, sir,” Noah said. “I suppose I should leave it to you gentlemen to decide where I go first.”
“I spoke first,” Carrigan said. “You can wait, Hank.”
“As long as you don’t keep him tied up too long,” Schlatter said. “I need this, Albert. We move more product out of Vegas than New Jersey and Texas combined.”
“He’s probably telling the truth,” Noah heard Neil say. “Henry James Schlatter, self-made billionaire. Four years ago, he was in charge of security at one of the big casinos, but quit his job after three people disappeared from the casino on his watch.”
“Really?” Noah asked. “That’s pretty amazing, but I guess it makes sense. An awful lot of people go missing out of Vegas.”
Schlatter grinned. “What happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas, after all.” He turned to Carrigan. “You really ought to let him come see me first. Shouldn’t take more than a few days.”
Neil continued, talking in the background. “Afterward, he started a business of his own called Simple Logic that does employment consulting. It’s based in Las Vegas, but once again, the building isn’t big enough to justify more than two billion dollars a year in any kind of legitimate sales or services. According to information about the company, it specializes in providing top quality domestic employees to clients all over the world, but its payroll is less than a hundred thousand dollars a year. And, by the way, Simple Logic is another sponsor of LGA.”
Noah listened to Neil while Carrigan and Schlatter argued amiably over where he would go first. By the time they were finished, it was arranged for Noah to go to New Jersey early the following week, spend up to two weeks there and then go directly to Las Vegas.
Carrigan turned to Noah again. “Now that that’s settled,” he said, “let’s discuss your induction into partnership. Rob, we do about twenty billion a year in total sales, and the profit margin is about sixty percent. Hank and I are senior partners, while Harold and William are junior partners. What that means is simply that Hank and I get a bigger share of the profits. You will begin as a junior partner with them, but I think it’s quite possible that you will end up becoming one of the big boys before it’s over. Don’t you agree, Hank?”
“From everything I’ve heard so far,” Schlatter said, “I’m inclined to think that’s correct. Rob, your innovations may very well warrant bringing you into the upper echelon. As a junior partner, you’ll be looking at about a hundred, possibly as much as a hundred and fifty million a year. I think we’ll probably vote on a promotion for you at the next board meeting, which will be in Paris early next year. If it passes, you can expect to earn three or four times that much each year thereafter.”
Noah’s eyes became wide. “Gentlemen, I don’t know what to say,” he said. “This is a much bigger opportunity than I ever expected to have come my way. The only thing that worries me is how to explain that kind of wealth to my wife.”
“That isn’t difficult,” Carrigan said. “You’ve already taken the first step by forming a company of your own. We had some issues early on with how to actually take possession of our profits, but then we got involved with a man named Valentine. He’s an accountant in New York, but he is an absolute master at concealing the source of funds. You already own the majority of stock in your company, so we will simply make payments to the company itself. The remainder of the stock is owned by one of our holding companies, so we simply make sure that your share equals what you have coming.”
“That’s ingenious,” Noah said. “I’m guessing the payments come from other companies within the group?”
“Absolutely,” Schlatter replied. “All of the money is carefully scrubbed free of any trace of where it originally comes from. There’s nothing to worry about on that score. Valentine is very, very good at what he does.”
Noah grinned. “Sounds to me like coming to Galveston was one of the best decisions I ever made,” he said. “Gentlemen, I can’t thank you enough. I’ve dreamed for years of being able to give my wife anything she wants, and you’re about to make it possible.”
“You earned this chance,” Conley said. “I just hope you remember us peons when you climb the ranks.” He chuckled.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Noah said. “I can guarantee I’ll never forget you guys.”
“I want to handle that bastard personally,” Noah heard Jenny say through the subcom suddenly. “He’s the one who said women couldn’t handle this kind of work. I want to show him just what we really are capable of.”
As she spoke, Mayweather lifted a glass. “To a bright new future,” he said.
“That sounds perfect,” Noah said, confident that Jenny would know he was talking to her.
A moment later, the food arrived. All five of the men dropped the conversation to enjoy the meal, and then Carrigan invited Noah to join them at a local nightclub.
“I’d be delighted,” Noah said. “It’s just across town, I think. Shall we all meet there?”
“Yes, certainly,” Schlatter said. “Albert and I have a rental car, so perhaps we could follow you?”
“Sure,” Noah said. “That would be great.”
Carrigan signaled the waiter for their check, and waved Noah away when he offered to pay for his own meal. “It’s only money, dear boy,” the old man said. “This evening is our treat.”
They left the restaurant and Conley and Mayweather said good night. “We’ll be talking to you tomorrow, Rob,” Mayweather said. “I think these gentlemen want to spend some time alone with you.”
Noah pointed out his Charger and Schlatter admired it openly. Carrigan seemed slightly less impressed and hurried Schlatter up to get to their car. Noah backed the Charger out of his parking space and waited a moment for their rental car to pull up behind him, then led them through the streets of Galveston.
“Noah to Neil,” he said. “Have you got everything you need?”
“I’ve got more than I expected,” Neil said. “Knowing about their companies has helped me track down some of the others involved in this mess. I can confirm that Rampart International is one of the many subsidiary companies they own, which means that those two men, along with six others in Europe, are the actual owners of the entire business. Three of those are the rich Europeans Allison was talking about, so we have a connection to them.
One of those men is in London at the moment. Think we could get Catherine Potts to keep tabs on him for us?”
“I’m sure we could,” Noah said. “I just don’t want to take a chance of tipping our hand before I’m ready to strike.”
“That makes sense. The question is, these people are scattered all over the place. How are we going to take them all out at once?”
“That’ll be up to Allison. I know she’s got a couple of other teams ready to go, but we may need more. Put together all of the information about the people involved and send the report up to her now. Tell her I’ll call her when I’m done with this pair, tonight.”
“You got it, boss. Neil out.”
“Noah to Jenny.”
“Jenny here,” he heard. “Go ahead.”
“You heard where we’re going, right?”
“I not only heard it, Renée and I are already on the way. We should be inside by the time you guys get there. That’s what you want, right?”
“Yes, but don’t go in so quickly. I’m fairly sure these men noticed you, so I want you both to go and change clothes, maybe do something with your hair to look different. The last thing we need is for them to think you’re following them around.”
“Okay. We’ll run by the apartments and change. Hey, can Sarah come with us? Neither one of them would know who she is.”
“That’s a good idea, it’ll look more spontaneous. Sarah, are you there?”
“I’m here, babe. I’ll be ready by the time they get here.”
“Okay, good. All three of you, this place we’re going to is a popular hot spot. Be sure to act like you’re having fun, and don’t be afraid to dance with the locals. I want you there to observe, but I don’t want it obvious.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Sarah said. “I intend to have some fun.”
“That’s fine, just be careful. The three of you can watch each other’s backs, so nobody gets out of line.”
Noah and the two other men arrived at the club and parked side by side. Noah secured the Charger and the three of them walked inside, where rock music was blaring from the band on the stage.
