Chapter 37
Beaumont was glued to the TV. He had been tipped off that the story would break in the UK at 7.00 a.m. which was 2.00 a.m. Washington time. Global Media were trying to get maximum exposure across the world on their biggest ever exclusive. It would mean that the US would wake up to the headlines in their newspapers and TV stations; the UK would wake up to their TV and radio station bulletins and a special edition of the Global newspapers, meaning none of the other UK papers would be able to copy the story. Across Europe and Asia, the story would break in daylight hours. It was going to be huge.
Beaumont could see it now, “DONALD KENNEDY — THE ASSASSIN. DONALD KENNEDY — WORLD KILLER.” He was watching the British-based Global media news channel. It was the prime time morning news show and was, because Kennedy was British, going to be the first to break the news.
Beaumont watched as the weather reporter droned on about slight rain from the West. The channel then broke for yet another series of adverts before finally showing the opening credits to the morning news show. Here we go, thought Beaumont as he increased the volume and sat with his nose virtually touching the screen.
“Good morning and welcome to breakfast news. Our top story this morning is Donald Kennedy.” Yes, thought Beaumont. “And the continuing efforts of the UK government to have him released…”
“What?” Beaumont asked the screen, his mouth wide open.
Chapter 36
Tom and Lela could not stop checking their watches. This was the first day of school but they had to be in Conference Room One for a video conference at11.15 a.m.
They started school at 8.00 with a welcome from the Headmaster, Mr Sakamoto, who paid tribute to the world leaders who had been assassinated over the previous few months. He sent his condolences and sympathies to their families but also welcomed the new students who had joined the school under tragic circumstances. He then went on to more mundane house-keeping matters and by 9.00 am, the students were on their way to their first lesson.
At 11.10 a.m., Tom and Lela asked to be excused from their classroom. Mr Sakamoto had authorised the missing of one lesson to allow them to join the video conference. They rushed across the school grounds to the Conference Centre and entered Room One. It was a large room and as with the rest of the school, no expense had been spared, no corner cut on the presentation facilities, furniture or equipment. Large plush leather chairs surrounded the solid wood table, polished to perfection by an ex royal footman. A massive video screen covered one wall and showed eight expectant faces staring at the screen. All they could see was the very plush and expansive table surrounded by numerous empty chairs.
Tom and Lela kept out of the camera’s view and took a good look at each of the eight people on the other side of the world who had answered the call to attend a special emergency board meeting. Jonathan suddenly appeared on the screen and could be seen nodding to his colleagues. A sly grin thrown towards the camera suggested that he knew Tom and Lela would be observing them, in Glasgow at the global headquarters of Alba International.
Tom took a deep breath and walked into shot of the camera and took his seat. Lela had decided to remain out of sight but would participate if required.
“Good morning,” said Tom.
“Good morning Tom,” they all responded.
“Are we missing somebody?” asked Tom looking at an empty seat.
“Alan, the new CFO, is on a call. He said he’d be along soon,” replied Jonathan.
“You told him we were holding an emergency meeting?” asked Tom slightly agitated.
“Yes,” replied Jonathan.
“Would somebody mind telling him to get his arse in here, right now!” said Tom firmly and shocking a few of the Alba execs who looked at the screen in surprise.
“Gladly,” offered Jonathan.
As he stood up, the door burst open and a very cocky Alan almost shouted, “So Johnny-boy what’s up now? What’s the big emergency that can’t wait?”
He was almost in his seat before he noticed the screen and its lone figure. The silence was almost deafening, nobody dared speak. Tom had only met the new CFO once, he hadn’t liked him then and certainly liked him even less now. Jason, the previous CFO was on compassionate leave and had insisted that Donald fill his role permanently. He didn’t want the pressure of knowing that he had to get back. Donald had pleaded for him to take time, there was no pressure. He could hire an interim for 10 years if he had to. But Jason had been insistent.
Alba was the largest and most profitable corporation in the world, there were probably only five accountants up to the task but unfortunately Alan was the only acceptable candidate to have come forward and so was offered the position by default.
“Hi Tom, how you doin’ mate?” asked Alan as if nothing were wrong.
Tom took one disgusted look at the man before completely ignoring him.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve called you here today to inform you of some important news. My father recently asked for a special condition to be placed in the company’s statute book. I won’t bore you with the legalise but basically it states that, in my father’s absence and with the approval of available stated family members, any Kennedy can take control as Interim Chief Executive. Said individual will take full control and act with the complete authority of Donald Kennedy. Stated family members are Rachel Kennedy, Saki Kennedy, Lela Kennedy and Tom Kennedy.”
All the executives looked at Jonathan who nodded that this was correct, apart from Alan who was too busy choking on his coffee.
Tom continued.
“With that in mind, I spoke to Jonathan last night and invoked the condition. We agreed that my parents and Saki were absent as defined by the condition and therefore, with Lela’s approval, I took control of Alba International with immediate effect.”
“Congratulations Tom,” they all said at once, except Alan who wanted added clarity.
“Wait a minute, are you seriously saying that you are the new boss?”
“Yes. So less of the mate and the Johnny-boy if you don’t mind.” He was really annoying Tom now. Alan’s face dropped. This was certainly not what he had expected.
“I have some more news,” continued Tom. “As CEO, I made my first corporate purchase last night. We have bought the Global Media Group.”
“What?!” blurted out Alan. “But I wasn’t told about this! How can you have bought it without my involvement? I’m the Chief Financial Officer and I don’t know anything about this! Jonathan, what the hell’s going on here?” shouted Alan.
“Don’t you get it Alan, you don’t need to know. If Tom wants it to happen, it happens,” replied Jonathan who was enjoying putting Alan in his place.
“But how much did you pay?” Alan couldn’t stop himself.
“Too much,” replied Tom, “and just enough. It depends on what you are buying.”
The initial phone call had caught Max Marshall by surprise. He had obviously not expected a fourteen-year-old to want to buy his company. The second call had been more productive. Max had had a call from Jonathan confirming the funds were in place and could be transferred that evening. When offered $15 billion dollars to just walk away with no headaches and no hassle, $2 billion of which was a sweetener, it had not taken long for Tom to get the answer he wanted.
Moments later, the story about Donald was quashed and all front pages reprinted calling on the British
