affair, but she got pregnant on top of it. Tell me something about yourself. What have you done with your life?”
Masterson was obviously stalling for time, but Kane decided to go along with it for now.“Well, I was CEO of my own textile business until recently. I’m planning to get married soon and move away from Connecticut, but before I do that I want to clear up any loose ends in my life. This thing about my real father is one of them.”
“That makes sense. Sounds like your mother did a good job raising you. You seem to have both feet solidly on the ground. Tell me, how is your mother doing these days? I always admired the woman, but I just couldn’t forgive her infidelity. So I left and never looked back.”
“Mother is definitely her own person. She married two more times after you, searching for some idyllic person to make her happy.” Kane was getting anxious. He sensed that Peter Masterson wanted to level with him, but it was like pulling teeth to get him to divulge the name. Finally in desperation he said, “Look, Peter, this is my life we‘re talking about. Please, man to man, help me out here.”
The reluctance in Peter’s voice was evident.”Okay, but you have got to forget where you heard it. Your father is Adam Hampton II. Somehow he cast a spell over your mother and you’re the outcome. It’s a credit to her that she was strong enough to walk away completely from that family. That mix up with my name at the hospital made everything easy all the way around. I never protested, because, to tell you the truth, I couldn’t have kids. Knowing you were carrying my name somehow made me feel more manly. Now that I’ve spoken with you, I’m glad I kept quiet about it.”
It was fortunate for Kane that Masterson rambled on, because he was at a loss for words.
“Are you certain of that? Could there be a mistake?”
“Very certain. I never saw them together, but people that I trust, did. Not just once but many times. I found this out afterwards. I also found out he picked up her hospital bills. When I confronted her she made it very clear that it was Adam Hampton II that got her pregnant.” She made me promise to keep everything a secret. I agreed. At that point I didn’t really care. I knew I had to get away from her as quickly as I could.”
“You must have been devastated.”
“I was, Kane and I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, but under the circumstances I wouldn’t have been much of a father.” He ended the conversation by switching the subject. “Look, if you’re ever traveling out this way I would like to meet you. You seem to be a very remarkable man. I’m proud that you bear my name.”
“I appreciate your saying that, Peter. After hearing what you just told me I’m equally proud to carry your name. I understand now, why my mother wouldn’t tell me his name. Thanks for leveling with me.”
“Glad to help. Good Luck!”
Kane sat back in utter dismay. Thoughts began to fire off in his head.
Chapter 24
Daniel dialed the offices of Local 33. The call went to the machine. “Gil, this is Daniel. When you get this, call me. It’s been two weeks now. I’ve tried to get a sit-down with you, but your secretary keeps making excuses. You’re not acting in good faith.” He stopped speaking for a few seconds, then continued. “If you won’t sit down with me I’ll have to go to SEWU. I don’t want to do that, but you’re leaving me little choice. Am I making myself clear?”
At the other end of the call, Gil was laughing as he listened to the message. He was tempted to pick up the phone and tell Daniel that he already had the full support of SEWU, but decided to let him stew for awhile. He looked at the check on his desk. It was for twenty-five thousand dollars made out to the Local 33 Welfare Fund, signed by Adam Hampton III. All that was asked for in return was an additional two to three weeks of the strike. Gil’s union members didn’t mind as long as they received weekly support payments from the union and the promised retroactive increases from the new contract. A few of them even went on a two week cruise and were in no hurry to return to work. Gil had no concerns about his parent union. As long as Local 33 didn’t request strike funds from them, SEWU didn’t care how long it took to settle the strike. The overture that Adam made regarding the smooth transition of Preston workers into Hampton’s UNITE unions was already showing promise. It would provide UNITE with financial capital and SEWU with future political capital. To a union local the size of Gils, a “marker” of this type has immense value.
It was a win-win for all parties with the exception of Daniel McKnight.
Lauren found Daniel at his desk with a stack of files strewn in front of him. She couldn’t tell from the expression on his face whether or not it was a good time to approach him. During the past week she often found him to be ill-tempered, especially regarding the subject of the strike.
Daniel owned two stadiums and three teams. The Old Brooking Indians and Old Brooking Wildcats played their home games in McKnight Stadium, an outdoor stadium. The Old Brooking Blizzards played on the ice at McKnight Arena, an indoor arena. When Daniel purchased the franchises for the three teams, he was contractually obligated to assume the union contracts for the two stadiums. His twelve person office staff remained non- union.
Cautiously, she asked, “So what’s happening?”
He snapped out of his funk, “Actually something good has come out of this mess with Local 33. I spoke with the Owner’s Associations at the Football and Hockey Leagues about the lack of cooperation I’m getting from SEWU. They were both very sympathetic. They asked if I would consider a schedule change for the Wildcats and the Blizzards to play their next two games at the opponent’s stadiums. I thought that that was a great idea. They just called back to tell me that it was all set up with the other teams, including sharing concession revenues. That last part really threw me for a loop. Do you realize that that means that we do not have any games scheduled at our stadiums for the next four weeks. How do you think Gil Parsons will like that? It sure weakens his position.”
“That’s really good news. Speaking of Gil Parsons, do you know any more about why he’s refusing to bargain with you? It’s such a turnabout from his usual behavior.”
“Not a thing. He keeps trying to put the onus on me because I left town for a few days when we got married. I still have an uneasy feeling about his stubbornness. There’s a lot more to this than meets the eye. My gut tells me that Adam Hampton is mixed up in this somehow. I wish I knew for sure what was behind his reluctance to bargain in full faith.”
“What reasons could Adam possibly have to make trouble for you?”
“Are you serious? Hell, you were married to the man. You know what he’s like. That man doesn’t need much incentive to make trouble for someone. It could be something as simple as you and I getting married, or maybe he’s still brooding over that tape. Who knows with him? Actually, I really don’t care. I’ve got something more important to discuss with you.” Daniel looked pensive as he gestured for Lauren to sit down next to him.
“Since all this started, we haven’t had much chance to discuss our future plans, but I’ve been giving a lot of thought to selling the teams and moving away from Old Brooking for good. When I was speaking to the Owner’s Associations I asked if there were any investors inquiring about purchasing franchises. Apparently, even though the economy is in the trash heap, there is still money out there looking for a good home.
They know of three investors interested in buying sports teams on the condition that the teams would move to New Haven, Bristol or other medium-to-large cities within the league’s province; someplace where the fan base would be better and where unions would not be a problem. The Association looks favorably on this, so why not?”
Lauren pondered Daniel’s words for a few minutes before she spoke, “I don’t want you to give up the teams. They’re like children to you. They’re your life blood.”
“I know what you’re saying, Lauren. The thought of giving them up really saddens me, but I don’t think we can go on like this.”
“Whatever you decide will be okay with me,. You know that. I just want to see you involved in something that
