Chapter 44
”You need to go to Chicago today; I just received word from Preston that the meeting was scheduled for ten tonight,” George said.
At George’s words, I looked up from the report I had been perusing and raised an eyebrow at him.
”Tonight? I thought the memo said the board meeting was tomorrow morning at ten.”
”Yes,” he nodded. ”That”s what it said, however, I get the feeling they are aware that McLaye came to New York, and knowing just how much he hates to leave Chicago?—”
”They”re assuming that he came to see me?” I interrupted, and he nodded.
”Not assuming. They”re sure he came to see you, so in a way, they want to make sure that things are concluded before you get there tomorrow.”
I was immensely amused.
“Alright. They keep pulling the same bloody tricks even when Harold was alive. When will they freaking learn?”
”Apparently never,” George replied. ”Anyway, I’ve gotten Hannah to schedule the jet for you for five this evening. You will be there on time.”
”Alright,” I nodded.
”Have you prepped McLaye about what”s going on and that we”ll be there to fight?”
”They kept him out of the loop,” George said. ”I”m sure even he doesn”t know about this meeting since he”s so busy with manufacturing, but once it focuses, when the time is right, they’ll spring it on him and then call him in.”
”Fucking bastards,” I swore, and he added.
”Yeah, they”re scum. Anyway, I haven’t told him yet so he wouldn”t act out of the ordinary and alert them that we”re on to them.”
”Good call,” I replied and rose to my feet.
”We don”t need him until we get to Chicago and keep things under wraps. In the meantime, work on the needed preparations. I’m headed to see John. And ensure not to let Davidson know. Yes, we”re of the same firm, but he has allies among the Haansbro board members.”
”I am well aware, sir,” he affirmed, and he was soon on his way. We exited the office together, and once again, my heart skipped several beats at seeing her hard at work with her gaze focused on her screen.
The truth was that I didn’t need to go all the way to John”s office to tell him what I needed to, but it was an excuse to see her, and I couldn’t help it.
”George, let things function as normally,” I said as I stopped, and she lifted her gaze to meet mine.
”Um... what do you mean, sir?” George asked.
She turned to look at him, and only then did I recall that I wasn’t supposed to be staring so blatantly at her.
”Stay here,” I told him. ”Let Hannah come with me. If you”re out and about, no one will suspect that I”m going out of town. This is a crucial meeting with the entire company at stake, so just as we have eyes on them, I am pretty sure that they too have eyes on us.”
”Ah,” he replied, looking between the both of us and looking incredibly disappointed.
”Understood. I”ll back out.”
”Hannah, have you made the hotel arrangements?” I asked, and she immediately rose to her feet, just as I strolled out of the office.
”Yes, sir, I have,” she said, and I nodded.
”Good.”
Then I walked out and headed straight to John’s office.