and called information for GMI’s New York office. When the call was connected, a GMI receptionist answered. Wilson introduced himself and asked for Hap.
“What firm are you with Mr. Fielder?”
“Kresge amp; Company. Hap and I have worked together on a few projects.”
“Do you have a number where he can reach you?” she asked.
“It’s urgent. I need to speak to him as soon as possible. Is there any way you can connect me with him now? I only need a couple of minutes,” Wilson said, his voice straining.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Fielder. He will not be available for contact until tomorrow afternoon. Can I have someone else help you?”
“No, thank you. Tell him I’ll call him tomorrow afternoon,” Wilson said before hanging up. He needed a crash course on counter-surveillance, and he needed it now.
8
Tate — St. Moritz, Switzerland
As soon as David Quinn appeared in front of the maitre d’ of the Grand Restaurant at Suvretta House a few minutes after noon, he was escorted to Wayland Tate’s table near the windows. When Tate saw him, he stood to shake hands and welcome Quinn to St. Moritz. After the obligatory chitchat about Quinn’s flight and hotel accommodations, they ordered an assortment of sausages, salads, cheeses, and a bottle of Chasselas wine. During lunch, their conversation was light, mostly about the next three days of activities and events.
After lunch they traveled by horse-drawn sleigh to the north end of the lake, where Vargas had arranged reserved seating for St. Moritz’s renowned international horse races. The White Turf races had been rescheduled from their usual mid-February date because of an unusually severe winter in Switzerland. But today the weather was a balmy five degrees Celsius, no wind, and nothing but blue skies-proclaiming why St. Moritz was the world’s oldest and most famous ski resort. Thoroughbreds and jockeys from Europe’s premier racing stables were ready to compete in the hundred-year-old contest. The magnificent mountains, twenty-five thousand spectators, a royal betting frenzy, and extraordinary Swiss catering made this one of the most celebrated winter events on the continent.
To Tate’s relief and delight, Quinn took great pleasure in the spectacle of specially shod horses churning up the freshly packed snow on the frozen lake. The passion and excitement of the international horseracing crowd was electrifying. Each new heat of thundering hooves and spraying snow seemed to loosen Quinn a little more, especially after he started betting.
With the races and betting over, they retired to the Kurhaus Spa-a classic Walser timber chalet at the edge of the forest-for more serious conversation. It was there, alone together in the steam room inhaling eucalyptus vapors, that Tate began the process of identifying Quinn’s deepest, most exploitable weaknesses.
“Is Andrea taking care of all your needs?” Tate asked.
“She’s delightful, but I couldn’t do that to Margaret,” Quinn said.
“I’m talking about logistics, David,” Tate said with a wry smile. “What are you talking about?”
“Is that what you call plausible deniability?”
“We pay our personal assistants to provide professional pampering to our clients. That’s it. Anything beyond that is between consenting adults.”
“You really expect me to believe that?” Quinn said, indignantly. He flinched as he leaned back against the hot tiles. “That’s like unbridling a horse on a grassy meadow and expecting it not to graze.”
Tate looked over his shoulder at Quinn, assuming an expression of concern. “If Andrea has made you feel uncomfortable in any way, I’ll have someone else assigned immediately.”
“No. She’s fine. A little too assertive maybe, but fine.”
“We can easily make a change, David,” Tate repeated, sitting back-every inch the relaxed host, whose only concern is his guest’s comfort.
Quinn rubbed his hands over his face to remove the excess moisture. “She knows where I stand. She’ll be fine.”
After a moment of silence, Tate decided to push the issue to see how Quinn would respond. “This is the first time anyone has called Andrea too assertive. Most clients think she’s the consummate professional. You must have made an impression on her,” Tate said as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and looking back at Quinn. “I’d say she likes you.”
Quinn’s only response was to sneer.
“I’m serious,” Tate said, in response to Quinn’s obvious skepticism. “Everything Andrea does and says is deliberate and well-reasoned. She has a Masters degree in social anthropology from Swarthmore and is one of our best associates. In the three years she’s been with us, I’ve never had a single complaint.”
“I’m not complaining, Wayland. Like I said, she’s delightful. Let’s leave it at that.”
Tate finally let it drop, but not without noting that Vargas had already gotten under Quinn’s skin. He stood up and walked over to the oversized showerhead, positioning himself directly beneath it before pushing the button that drenched him in ice-cold water. As he stood there, tightening every muscle in his body to keep from shaking, he looked at his client. Quinn was a talented, accomplished CEO, hungry for even greater success and power. And Tate was just about ready to bet that Quinn would risk everything he had to get what he didn’t have. Still tingling from the ice water, he sat down again on his towel next to Quinn. This time, however, he waited for Quinn to initiate conversation.
After a few moments of silence, Quinn bent his head down over his knees and stretched his arms to the tiles beneath his feet. On his way back up, he said, “Let’s talk about Kresge amp; Company. Slowing down the project isn’t going to be enough.”
“America’s Warehouse launches in a few weeks. After that it will be a non issue,” Tate returned.
“Doesn’t matter. The project needs to be terminated now.”
“That won’t be easy, given the board’s commitment to it,” Tate cautioned.
“I’m aware of that, but I can’t let it continue any longer. MacMillan scheduled Kresge amp; Company to present its recommendation for breaking up the company to the board next week, complete with a detailed implementation plan. Wilson Fielder already signed off on it. The managing director of the Chicago office is going to make the presentation. I found out about it just before I got on the plane to come here,” Quinn said before standing up and wrapping the towel he’d been sitting on around his waist. He paced back and forth for a few moments before he said, “I won’t let it happen, Wayland.”
“What did you have in mind?” Tate asked as he tried to hide his glee: their conversation was unfolding exactly as he’d hoped.
Just then, a large man opened the glass door to the steam room and stepped inside. Tall, blonde, and imposing, he looked German or Scandinavian. Unwilling to continue their conversation in another’s presence, Tate and Quinn took turns drenching themselves in cold water, waiting for the intruder to leave. During the quiet, Tate continued his assessment. David Quinn wanted what every other person on Forbes’ list wanted-power, glory, and dominion by controlling as much capital, land, and labor as possible for the endless benefit of themselves and their posterity. By virtue of his wealth, Quinn already had plenty of power, but keeping J. B. Musselman intact and under his control was his only chance for both continued dominion and lasting glory. Fortunately, the America’s Warehouse advertising campaign would give Quinn the status and a promise of the legacy he craved. Not permanently, but just long enough to allow Tate and his partners to pocket several billion.
When they were alone once again, Quinn picked up the thread of their conversation: “I want to use Wilson Fielder’s family problems to raise questions about his competence.”
“He’s on a leave of absence, isn’t he?” Tate asked, even though he already knew the answer. “Why not tell the board that Wilson’s sudden leave of absence raises serious questions about the project’s continuity. Then, all we have to do is postpone Kresge amp; Company’s presentation.”
“Too risky,” Quinn said, getting up again and wrapping his towel around his waist. “Kresge’s already trying to convince the board that Fielder’s absence is not a factor. We need to put his competence in question. But it can’t appear as if I’m pulling the strings.”
