Chapter Thirty-Three. Holden
THIRTY-THREE
Holden
“So from what I’ve gathered, the WillowBend owners are in agreement with the lender to make a lump sum payment by the end of next week,” Bob says through the phone.
“A lump sum, huh?” Where do they plan on getting that?
“Yes, and it’ll be enough to keep the wolves at bay for another month or two, but it won’t last long.”
“Are you seeing any activity in the trust?”
“Weddings are expensive these days,” he says.
“And lucky for us, that’s part of their problem.
Both Rothschild and Williams had to float more funds.
The money they pulled from their family trusts to avoid defaulting on their land loan had to be deposited back in them for wedding expenses.
Who knows where the hell they siphoned that capital from and just in time.
It wouldn’t look too good if dear old Mom and Dad’s checks for wedding things—venue, flowers, over-the-top bullshit—bounced because none of that money they thought was in their account was really there. ”
“Jesus. Whose bright idea was it to allow them to manage their family trusts?” I murmur, but I’ve seen the emails from years ago. The conversations between the sons and their parents around the same time when they all but schmoozed their parents into letting them take over.
A coordinated attack.
“They’ll all be bankrupt in no time. Both their entire fucking families.”
A grin flashes on my lips. “Exactly.”
“So am I pulling the trigger?” he asks, cautiously.
“Yes. Tell them the deal is moving forward upon the receipt and validation of the methane reports.”
“Which will be bogus,” he states.
“Yes, and thus will allow me to tank the deal two seconds before signing the paperwork.”
“May I ask a question?”
“Of course.”
“If you’re trying to bankrupt them, then why are you arranging a large campaign contribution?”
“Think about it.” It’s all I’ve thought about.
Bob clears his throat. “They’ll think they’ve fixed their WillowBend problem.
That it will be sold and that bad deal will be off their hands.
They’ll pay off the loan, save their credit, and return enough of the money they stole from their family trust to try and make a quick buck, so that they aren’t found out. ”
“Keep going,” I say, enjoying listening to him think this through.
“No one else is going to buy that shit land out there. They bought it without doing their research, reading the fine print, or who knows, listening to their lawyers, and got stuck with it.”
“Like it seems they do with a lot of things.”
“And now they’re going to falsify documents to a buyer saying there is nothing wrong with it, which is illegal and unethical.”
“Yes, it is, but since when has that ever stopped them?” I think to the deal for TinSpirits and Rhett’s greed that led him to forgo reading the fine print.
“But you’re going to yank the deal at the last minute. Send them in a spiral of despair and, what? Hope that they act out? Hope—?”
“That’s when I’ll be making a multimillion-dollar donation to Rhett Rothchild’s campaign.”
“What?” Confusion is etched in his tone.
“He’ll have a loan default hanging over his head. He’ll have no money to put back in the family trusts for him and Chad. They’ll be close to being found out—what a bunch of frauds they are—by everyone. So he’ll have a choice to make.”
“You think he’ll use the donation to save the loan default and his family’s name.”
“Campaign finance fraud is a big deal any way you look at it.”
“But that would be Rhett. What about Chad?”
“You actually think he’d hang his friend out to dry? Chad knows where all his bodies are buried and vice versa.” Don’t I know it.
“I shouldn’t have doubted that you knew what you were doing.” He chuckles. “You’re laying a trap for them and waiting for them to walk through it and make their own decision. They’ll be in charge over which one will be their demise.”
“People like Rhett and Chad don’t see it that way. They get away with everything, always have. Rules are bent for them because of the families they were born into. Consequences for them get swept under the rug.”
“And this time you’re going to prove that theory different.”
“That’s the plan, Bob. I’m giving them enough rope.…”
“And then what? Just dust your hands of them once it’s over?”
“Yes.” Just like they did Mason.
“What about the money they’ve siphoned from TinSpirits?”
“That’s gone. I don’t expect to see it. I’ve made peace with that. It’s leverage if I need it, but I don’t think I will.” I glance out my window where Rhett and Chad are talking animatedly in the hallway.
“Call them now. Tell them the land deal is back on the table. Give them the parameters.”
“You’re watching them right now, aren’t you?”
“I am indeed.”
“Would you like to be on the line to hear their reaction?”
I twist my lips and consider it, but I don’t need to be on his end because I’ll be watching from mine. “No. Go ahead. I’ll be sure to stop in and ask what they are so excited about in a few minutes.”
“You’re twisted, Knight.”
“Mmm. Yes. I am.” A smile creeps over my lips as Bob hangs up the phone, and I turn to watch the events about to unfold.
A few seconds pass, no doubt for Bob to switch phones and call from the burner, but the way Rhett’s face lights up when he sees the number has me shaking my head.
He motions to Chad, pointing to the phone animatedly before ushering him into the conference room and closing the door.
I wait for a few minutes before heading toward the conference room and opening the door without knocking.
Two pairs of eyes shoot up from where they stare at the cell phone on speaker on the center of the table. I hear the tail end of Bob’s voice saying something and bite back my smirk.
“You guys good in here?” I ask. “Everything okay?”
“Hold on a second, Roberto,” Rhett says to the phone. I’m surprised he can talk he’s grinning so hard. “Yep. Everything is fucking perfect.”
Chad nods enthusiastically as I catch sight of that damn lighter sitting on the desk next to the cell phone.
Clank. Click. Clank.
As if I needed a reminder as to why I’m doing this. Thanks, Mase. I know that was you.
“Good campaign news, then? You’re topping the polls?” I pump my fist in mock enthusiasm.
“Something like that,” Rhett says at the same time Chad says, “Even better.”
I look at both of them with a confused expression, playing the part more now than ever. “Awesome.”
“Did you need us for anything?” Rhett asks.
“Nothing that can’t be talked about later. Just supplier issues and questions on onboarding those new subcontractors Rowan has hired,” I say.
“She’s the new co-CEO. Ask her.” Rhett is still so bitter over that. I fucking love it.
“Nah. I figure I’ll make you earn your paycheck.” I step back out of the door.
“I’m already doing my job on top of the bullshit you asked for last meeting.”
“Hmm. That’s why you get paid the big bucks, Rhett. I’ll leave you to whatever it is you’re doing. We’ll talk later.”
I shut the door behind me as Bob’s voice springs back to life on the phone behind it. I laugh at the Spanish accent he adds to his voice when talking to them.
But my smile is wide and my mood is fucking set.
It’s rare you get to watch your prey creep up to the trap and see the big, fat prize hanging just within your snare.
But right now, I am.