“Let him find itsomewhere else. We are on the verge of acquiring Scrap Vook,a deal that has the potential of making Albright Software Media one of thelargest software media companies in the world.”
Scrap Vook was an Internet-startup-turned-media-phenomenon thatallowed users to upload and share short videos they’d created. Unlike YouTube,Scrap Vook users could integrate other users’ videosinto their own to create a wholly new video. The popularity of the site derivedfrom the simplicity and ease with which this could be done. Though Scrap Vook was a natural fit for Albright Software Media, itstill had taken months to arrive at an agreement in which Albright wouldacquire the company. Connor couldn’t wait to see what resulted from thecombination of Scrap Vook’s creative possibilitieswith his company’s state-of-the-art technological advances. Above all else,this deal had to go through.
As if readinghis thoughts, Dan said, “It can all fall apart if the Scrap Vookpeople think you’re not healthy enough to take the helm and supervise themerging of the two companies.”
“I told theScrap Vook CEO and the two founders about my heartattack myself. Nothing I’ve said in the article should come as a surprise tothem.”
“Maybe not tothem, but it probably will to their shareholders. These Scrap Vook kids are what, twenty-two, twenty-three? They areeager to take the money we’re throwing at them, especially since they get tohang around since we aren’t forcing them out. But the Scrap Vookshareholders will probably take a dim view of their founders no longer being incharge. We need to handle that before we spring the news that you had a heartattack and a quadruple bypass.”
Connor turnedand faced Dan for the first time. “But I’m healthy now. My cardiologist gave mea clean bill of health just two days ago. I’m in perfect shape to handle theacquisition and oversee the merger.”
Dan shrugged.“You and I know that, but you how little it takes to rattle shareholders andupend deals. Remember that bank CEO from a couple of years ago? He wasoverseeing a merger that would have made him the head of the third-largest bankin the country before he announced he’d been diagnosed with prostate cancer.All of a sudden, the deal fell apart, even though theCEO’s doctors caught it so early the guy didn’t even need chemo.”
“Yeah, Iremember how anxious-shareholder hysteria killed the deal, even though it wouldhave made everyone a lot of money.” Connor frowned. “I don’t want that tohappen to this deal.”
“Neither do I. That’s why we need to stop this Chronicle article in its tracks. They can’t publish that interviewnow or everything will fall apart.”
“Stopexaggerating,” Connor said, but he recognized the seriousness of the situation.“What if we negotiate with the Chronicleand get them to hold off on publishing it until after the acquisition isfinalized?” Connor knew Tim would be disappointed by the delay, but at least hewould eventually get the attention and prestige he hoped the article wouldbring.
Dan shook hishead. “The Scrap Vook people have an in with The Wall Street Journal. That’s who Ithink should do the interview with you about your heart attack. I already haveit on good authority that the reporter will deemphasize the health crisis andfocus on all the advances that will result from our acquisition of Scrap Vook.”
Ordinarily,Dan’s reassurance would have thrilled Connor. The less anyone knew about hishealth, the better. However, he realized going to The Wall Street Journal would be stabbing Tim in the back. Thoughtheir relationship―Connor didn’t know whether it could even be calledthat yet―was new, he cared enough for Tim that he didn’t want to see himhurt.
Dan must haveseen the doubt on his face, because he said, “I’m sure this Tim McInerny laid it on thick for you while you two were in Cedros. ‘I’m a new kid on the block, this is my big break,’blah, blah, blah. I know you’re a sucker for that kind of thing, but don’t betaken in. There’s too much at stake here.”
Connor didn’tparticularly care for being called a sucker. However, it was better thanadmitting he’d slept with Tim. “I know what’s at stake. So be it. Cancel theinterview with the Chronicle. Let’sproceed with the one with the Journalafter the acquisition is completed.”
Don nodded, his approval apparent. “You’re doing the rightthing, Connor. This is what’s best for Albright Software Media.”
But is it what’s best for Tim and me? Connor askedhimself, knowing the answer was a resounding no before he’d even finished the question.
Chapter Seven
Tim whistled andall but had a bounce in his step as he knocked on the door to one of the Chronicle’s conference rooms. He’dturned in the final draft of his profile on Connor Albright the night beforeand received nothing but praise from Matt. “You’re going to be a rock star whenthis comes out,” he predicted.
But today,Matt’s subdued voice told him to come in. Tim entered to find him slumped inhis chair, frowning, while Shelby, the Chronicle’s publisher, sat across fromhim with an equally somber expression. Tim closed the door, sensing this wouldbe a conversation he wouldn’t necessarily want his colleagues to overhear.
“Hi, Tim, thanks for coming. Have a seat.” Shelby gestured at thechairs across from her, and Tim took the one next to Matt. With the two of themsitting together facing Shelby, it seemed like they should have had theadvantage of two against one. But from the straight, rigid posture shemaintained in her seat, to the firm set of her jaw, there was no question as toShelby’s being in control.
Shelby claspedher hands. “First of all, let me congratulate you on a brilliantly writtenarticle. I’ve always admired your work and your talent really shines throughhere.”
“Thank you.” Timraised a wary eyebrow, sensing a but coming up.
“Unfortunately,the Connor Albright profile is not something we can publish at this time. Now,rest assured, this is not a reflection on you or your work. It’s just that thearticle isn’t compatible with the direction the Chronicle is taking now.”
Isn’t compatible with the direction the Chronicle is taking now? Tim repeated the words tohimself, but they still didn’t make any sense. “I don’t understand. ConnorAlbright hasn’t had a
