Chapter 71 #3
We worked until the late afternoon, making good progress.
However, he was interrupted when he was called in to attend a meeting with a transport manager at one of the depots.
The rest of the day seemed to drag on. I had a video conference with my team at Keller Enterprises about a drop-ship facility we were considering investing in.
I completed the paperwork, then called in.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. What’s the latest on the new facility?”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Keller.” Jason, one of my assistants, typically took control of the conference calls so we didn’t talk over one another. “Based on the correspondence that they sent to me before the meeting, it looks like we’re waiting for the information from the survey company.”
“What exactly do we need to know?” I tapped my pen on the desk and stared out the window. I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than those damn pictures of Liza.
“I’m going to refer that question to Randy, since he met with the surveying crew while they were on site. Randy, can you fill Mr. Keller in on the details they are looking for, please?”
Randy, one of the newest members of my team, nervously came into frame.
“The survey crew assured me they’d have all the details by the end of the week.
It’s not so much the size of the lot that’s holding us up, sir.
We need to determine if there’s enough space between our potential building site and the warehouse on the property next door.
City ordinances require a specific amount of space between commercial buildings to allow for things like parking spaces and to be up to fire code. ”
“Thanks, Randy. I’m fully aware of the ordinances. Let me know when you get that information from the surveying company.” With one eye on the computer screen displaying the call, an alert to a new email on the other screen caught my attention.
Good afternoon, Mr. Keller.
After reviewing the sale package regarding your factory located at 223 Poplar Street, it is our company’s intention to move forward with the process of purchasing the building.
We look forward to hearing from you and hope to set up an informational meeting at your earliest convenience.
Regards
Russell and Sons, LLC
I interrupted the meeting. “Does anyone know anything about the old factory on Poplar Street being on the market?”
They all shook their heads. No one seemed to have a clue.
“I’ve just received a noted interest through from a company…” I read aloud, scanning through the email again. “Russell and Sons, LLC. Has anyone heard of them before?”
Silence met my question, giving me all the answers I needed.
I would have to dig into this mysterious company myself.
After bookmarking the email to revisit later, I finished discussing the new drop facility and ended the call, then took some time to research Russell and Sons.
Unfortunately, they didn’t seem very active online, which only made me more suspicious.
Why would they want a small manufacturing plant?
A few minutes later, my phone rang. It was Tim, my financial analyst.
“Ty, I apologize for not mentioning the sale of the Poplar Street factory on the conference call,” he began, his voice filled with regret.
“I meant to bring it up with you before, but you’ve been busy with the pack and your lovely new bride.
I’d been reviewing the figures, and it wasn’t performing as well as we’d hoped, so I put it on the market a few weeks ago.
There hasn’t been any interest in it at all, but now with this offer from Russell and Sons, as your financial advisor, it would be remiss of me not to tell you to take the offer seriously.
You should set up a meeting and try like hell to offload it. ”
“Thanks for telling me, Tim, but why am I just finding out about one of our businesses being on the market now? Once again, you’ve gone above my head and left me out of the loop, which is completely unacceptable.
” I didn’t hide my ire. This guy was like the sound of fucking nails down a chalkboard.
He should’ve said something earlier on the call, but he really should’ve included me in a decision to list an asset.
“I’ll look into it more. In the meantime, as the CEO of Keller Enterprises, it would be remiss of me not to tell you to recognize your position and keep me abreast of any and all business dealings. ”
I ended the call before he could say anything.
I spent a few more hours researching Russell and Sons but didn’t find much of anything. Annoyed and feeling like I’d hit a dead end, I decided to call it a night. I looked at my watch and discovered I’d worked far later than I’d intended.
I walked up to our room to find Liza already asleep in our bed.
As I got changed, my thoughts kept circling back to the photos of her and the horrifying possibility of her being sold off.
The thought of my sweet Liza being auctioned off to the highest bidder like some kind of commodity filled me with an unparalleled rage. I needed to find answers, and fast.
Once I slipped into bed as quietly as I could, I watched Liza toss and turn in her sleep, moaning softly. My heart ached for her. She’d been so restless lately. As much as I hated it, I knew it was best not to put any more burdens on her.