CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER
STEERS LOOKED STERNLY AT TEMPLE as they sat across from each other in her office.
“How is your mother this morning?”
“Fine,” Steers said tersely. “You wished to discuss something?”
“Yes, namely where we go from here,” said Temple.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning what role, if any, do you see for me in the future? Also, I would like to get back home,” he added, before she could respond.
“What role are you seeking?”
“Well, if you want the truth, I’d rather just go about my business and you go about yours.”
“Meaning no more involvement with me then?”
“Look, Ms. Steers, I’m not going to try to bullshit you, because you’re way too smart for that. I just want to get out of this now and go live my life. But you can continue to use Sybaritic for your purposes.”
“How, without you there?” she interjected.
“I control the board of directors. I can name anyone you want to be the CEO. And I will. You just say the word.”
She sat back and considered this. “And why should I allow this?”
“I would hope that my risking my life to get your mother back here safely would be worth something to you.”
“So you can simply run along and enjoy your father’s billions?”
“You knew my father. I hope you would agree that I earned every dollar as the son he loved to belittle at every opportunity.”
This statement seemed to take her aback. “I will give your proposal full consideration and give you a decision by tomorrow.”
“I appreciate that. I really do.” He rose to leave.
“And Mr. Hope?”
“What about him?”
“What will be his fate?”
Temple sat back down. “I just assumed that he would travel back to the States with me.”
“I do not like people making assumptions about things that concern me.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Steers, I wasn’t aware that he concerned you in any way. I mean, he’s just my bodyguard.”
“And if I wish to retain him here?”
“Look, feel free to make him whatever offer you want. He’s a good man. I’d hate to lose him, but it’s not a deal-breaker for me.”
“So you simply leave it up to him?”
Temple looked startled. “I. . .I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You are unwilling to make the decision to have him stay here?”
“I’m not sure I have the power to do that. It’s a free country. He’s an independent contractor. He can go and do what he wants.”
“This is not a free country, Mr. Temple.”
“I. . .I don’t know what you want me to do.”
“You can order Mr. Hope to remain here.”
“But regardless of what I tell him, he doesn’t have to stay here.” He paused. “Unless you. . .unless you force him to. So what does it matter what I do or don’t do?”
“The point is, Mr. Temple, I want you to order him to remain here. Once you do that I will take care of the rest, and you may leave. I will fly you back on my jet, and I will send to you the name of the person I want to become the next CEO of Sybaritic. Then our business is concluded. That is my decision. You have no need to wait any longer for it.”
Temple looked relieved but also wary. “So let me get this straight. All I have to do is order him to stay and then you will make him do so? And then I’m free to go on with my life?”
“After the new CEO of my choosing is appointed, yes.”
Temple took a few moments to think all of this through. However, he could think of no downside for him. “I’ll order him to stay with you right away.”
She gazed at him disdainfully. “I knew that you would. But there is one more thing that I require of you.”
He looked at her anxiously. “What?”
“You never found Walter Nash.”
“Look, I tried—”
“You clearly did not try hard enough. That is your assignment, if you truly want your freedom. And I will be checking.” She waved her hand in dismissal.
Temple immediately left. Out of her sight he had the broadest smile on his face.
I can string her along on Nash. So I am fucking free at last.
He never gave a thought to the fate of Dillon Hope.
Yet he was the son of a narcissist, and the apple had apparently fallen right next to that warped tree.