“If you feel he may have a strong case and you want it to go away then such an offer would, in my opinion, be hard to resist. Fifty million pounds is more than enough for a good lifestyle. Of course, it all depends on how we word the offer. I can prepare a letter and send a copy for your approval before I send it over to the opposing party. I can mark the offer ‘without prejudice’ so it cannot be used in court.”
As a former police detective, I am well aware of this legal phrase. Any offer made preceded by this term means anything written cannot be used or referred to in a civil court of law. So, if the other party rejects the offer it’s as if the offer was never made. In my heart, I think this is the best course of action. I don’t think this man is going to go away and I would like to see the Asbury Park project get underway without any delays. “Would you please go ahead and draft the letter. The sooner we get things settled the better as far as I’m concerned.”
“Okay. As this matter is urgent I will cancel the appointment I have for this afternoon and I’ll get the letter emailed over for your approval before three thirty. Then if you agree with the contents I can have it sent over today. I’ll make it clear the offer of fifty million pounds is non-negotiable and they can have the money within forty-eight hours of agreeing to it. Is that going to be a problem?”
I tell him that will be fine.
“That should make them sit up and take notice. If I were working for the other party I would be tempted to advise them to accept the offer, but of course I don’t know which way they will decide to jump. It just so happens the person acting for the other party is someone I know. I think it is entirely possible he will advise his client to accept your offer, but of course there are no guarantees.”
I leave the meeting still confused. Now it’s down to Dave’s lawyers to advise him.
My worry is the lawyers may think they can make far higher fees by prolonging the case and advising their client to take the matter further. From my days as a police officer, I’ve seen what some unscrupulous lawyers will do to enhance their income. Some of them are honest but with a few of them I would always count my fingers after shaking their hand.
By now my head is really beginning to hurt. I need to do what I always do when a migraine becomes too much, to take some strong painkillers and lie down in bed in a dark room with no noise.
I return to my car and drive down to the offices on Sidney Street. I have my own office for times when I need to be alone and this is definitely one of those occasions. I go over to the only window in the room and pull the blinds cord to make the room as dark as possible.
Then I sit in my office chair, place a cushion on the desk and put my head down to rest to try to make my head stop pounding. I have asked not to be disturbed and, as this is unusual. The occupants of the other office are all concerned. I can sense Susan and Stevie are worried about me. Perhaps they think all this has got to me and I’m feeling depressed?
The project on Asbury Park is my passion. Helping other people comes first for me; I have little interest in the money. No fancy car, no Rolex watch and no expensive toys. I’m not even interested in women. I just wish my lovely Miriam was still here.
At three thirty, my mobile phone rings and I answer it.
“Hello, Mr Sheldon. It’s Clinton Palmer. I’ve just emailed the draft letter to you. If you could have a read and let me know whether you would like any changes made. Otherwise I can get it into today’s post and across to the other side. I’ll wait to hear from you, but if you could let me know before four thirty then it can all be done today.”
I thank him for undertaking the work so quickly and promise to check his email straight away, which I do, and I find a short note plus an attachment. I click and open the attachment and then print it out on the printer next to my desk. The letter is full of the usual lawyer jargon but is extremely well written and presents our side of the case strongly. I just hope it will have the desired effect. I can’t see anything which I feel could be improved and see no reason to make any changes, so I telephone Clinton Palmer and I’m put through by his secretary.
“Hello, Mr Palmer. I’ve read the letter and I’m very happy with the way you have presented the offer. I would like you to go ahead and send it. I’ll confirm this to you in the next five minutes via email so if you can get it sent out today I would appreciate it.”
“Yes, of course, Mr Sheldon. I will ensure it goes out today. Leave it with me and as soon
