“I’m glad you liked it.”
“Ethan you look worried, did you not have fun today.”
“No, I had a great time. I’m just sorry Logan acted like a jerk,” he grimaced.
“Oh, he was fine at the end, don’t you think?” I observed.
“Yeah, I don’t know what his problem was to start with.”
“No big deal. As long as you like me that is all I care about.” I smiled. I think the sun and the beer was starting to get to me.
Ethan looked over at me and took my hand. He raised it to his lips and kissed it.
“I like you a lot.”
Monday morning came too soon, and I knew I was going to have to answer a thousand questions from Sherry when I got to the office.
“Good Morning, Sherry.” I smiled when I got off the elevator.
Sherry didn’t look like her normal cheerful self.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Michael’s waiting for you in our office. I already made coffee.”
“Did he say what it is about?”
“That offer you had on the company last week,” she answered.
“Alright.” I had a feeling the guy from InDesign wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Morning, Michael. I trust you did not have a good weekend.”
“No, not really,” he said standing as I entered the room.
“Alright let’s have it then,” I said dropping my bag on the floor and sitting down behind my desk.
“They are upping the stakes.” He said gravely.
“In what way?” I felt my shoulders tensing.
“Well, I got a call from their attorney and they intend to buy up our stocks,” he said.
“Okay, well I own most of them so how is that going to help them out?”
“They are going to try to offer you way more than the stocks are worth, and the shareholders will have to vote,” he went on to explain.
“Okay, so let them vote but they still can’t buy my shares if I’m not willing to sell,” I countered.
“Kay, this could get really ugly. I know you don’t want to sell and I’m not suggesting that you do but I do want you to be prepared that this isn’t just going to go away.”
“What do we do? I can’t let them take over this company and have all my employees lose their jobs.”
“I realize that.” Michael sighed.
What then?”
“I’ve been talking to some colleagues who have either dealt with InDesign before or have knowledge of their tactics. One of my friends used to work for the Security and Exchange Commission.”
“And what does your friend from the SEC have to say?”
“He says they are dirty as hell but always stay just above the law. They haven’t been able to touch them. He said it would be less hassle for you and everyone if you just sell to them.”
“Seriously?”
“That is what he said.”
“Well, no offense Michael, your colleague has the spine of a jellyfish.”
“Hang on, that is only what he recommended.” Michel defended, “He no longer works for the SEC and has his own firm and would be more than happy to work as a consultant for us to fight these guys.”
“I don’t know if I can trust a guy who recommends I should sell my company.” I didn’t have a good feeling about Michael’s ‘friend’.
“If you don’t want to sell, he will do whatever he can to prevent that from happening.”
“Do you trust him?” I needed to know. I trusted Michel and I was willing to give his friend the benefit of the doubt.
“Yes,”
“With your job?” I laid it out.
Michael went pale for a moment. “Yes.”
“Then bring him in here. I want to meet him before I agree to anything.”
“Okay.”
“And Michael,” I added leaning forward on my elbows. “We can play hardball too. Just because we aren’t crooked doesn’t mean we don’t throw one hell of a punch. Got it?”
“Got it.” Michael smiled.
I leaned back in my chair. I had no intention of selling my company or any part of it and I was pissed that I was going to have to go through this battle just to keep it.
“Oh, and Michael, call an emergency shareholders meeting. Anyone who isn’t willing to fight with us, we will buy out ourselves.”
“On it.” And he was gone.
Michael left and I started searching my desk for a bottle of medicine. I had a migraine coming on.
“What are you looking for?” Sherry asked from the doorway.
“Migraine meds.” I said rifling through my top drawer.
“Here, this is some over the counter stuff I have,” she offered retrieving a bottle from her own desk.
“Thanks.” I gratefully accepted them.
“What’s going to happen?” Sherry fidgeted.
“We are going to fight like hell. These bastards might not take no for an answer, but they will be sorry,” I said defiantly.
Sherry looked relieved and smiled. “I knew you wouldn’t take this laying down.”
“No, I’m not.” I smiled. “Sherry do me a favor, no rush if you have time today. Can you research the number of companies that have gone from public to private?”
“Sure, thing,” she replied. “In the last year or ever?”
“Ever. Thanks.”
“I know this isn’t the time to ask but I look forward to hearing about your weekend.” She gave me a weak smile.
“When this blows over, I’ll show you all the pictures. “I caught the biggest fish of the day!” I boasted.
“Good for you, girl.” She smiled.
I went back to my office and poured some coffee. It was going to be a long day.
Ethan
My desk phone rang a little before noon. “Agent Craddock.”
“Agent Craddock, this is James McIntyre, NCIS. We have a problem down your way, and I was hoping we could enlist the help of the FBI.”
“Agent McIntyre, we’d be happy to help,” I offered.
Logan looked up at me and raised his eyebrows.
“Actually, it’s Director,” he said knowing it would give me pause.
“Excuse me?” I asked.
“It’s Director McIntyre,” he clarified.
“Forgive me for asking but why is the Director of NCIS calling an FBI field office?” That made no sense, unless this was really important.
“I already spoke to your boss if that is what you are worried
