Chapter 24 #2
Beside me Betty groaned and Loretta just shook her head.
While the judge continued to talk, Charlie and his boss consulted with their legal team.
Our lawyer seemed to have his wits and then some, but he wasn’t a team.
Thrifty Co. came with a group of attorneys in dark suits that reminded me of the mafia.
Everything about them was fancy, from their tailored attire to their polished leather shoes.
They spoke in hushed tones and occasionally stole glances our way.
If they were trying to intimidate, they were doing a fabulous job.
“I’ll just get out of the way and let the special commissioners get to the business at hand.” The judge threw up his hand in a kind wave, then walked out the door.
Maxine stared toward the door, her face scrunched into a frown. “He didn’t even look my way.”
“You’re thirty years older than him,” I whispered.
She looked at her chest. “Not all of me is.”
The man introduced as Mr. Spellman stood up. “Thank you for coming. We know this is a difficult situation, and we don’t want to drag this out any more than it already has been. We have spent many hours studying the documentation, and we feel confident we have made the best decision for your town.”
Maxine reached beneath the table and slipped her hand into mine.
“We believe the town of In Between has proven the addition of Thrifty Co. on the requested property will benefit your community economically and progressively and find in their favor.”
Our table exploded into gasps and protests, and the man paused to let the shock settle in. We were going to court. It was the last thing I wanted. And I didn’t even know if the other businesses would continue in the lawsuit.
“We understand the first offers for buyouts were declined,” said Mr. Spellman. “Citizens of In Between, do you still stand by that decision?”
“Yes,” I said. “We do not accept their offer.”
“Thrifty Co., do you have anything to add?”
Charlie’s boss Mr. McKeever stood and addressed our table. He wore a fitted pin-stripe suit, a smile meant to calm, and teeth too white and straight to be real. “We’d like to submit a final offer to you folks.”
“We’re not interested,” I said .
Loretta planted her elbows on the table and leaned in. “What kind of offer?”
McKeever lifted his chin in a curt nod, and Charlie stood.
“I’d be glad to explain that.” Charlie smoothed his tie and approached our table. It hurt to look at him. “We have a settlement we think will be much more to your liking.” Charlie handed each member a manila folder, and when he got to me, our eyes met . . . locked . . . held.
How could you do this? I wanted to ask. My heart was somewhere on the floor, and he and his cronies were walking all over it.
“Oh, my,” said Mrs. Gleason.
Beside her Mr. Henry gave a low whistle.
With a shaking hand, I opened the folder. And saw enough zeroes to know it was over.
“Your property and businesses mean a lot to you,” Charlie said. “And we realized our initial two offerings didn’t honor that. We consider this our first investment in the community we’re excited to be a part of.”
I knew Charlie had somehow gotten us more money. He’d said he was trying to help, and this was obviously the end-product of all those late hours he’d put in.
It was the last thing I wanted.
“My clients will need to discuss this,” our attorney said. “And I’ll need time to thoroughly study the new proposal.”
“You have ten days,” Charlie said. “Then we’ll need to know an answer.”
“But please keep in mind your alternative,” Mr. McKeever said. “A trial is a lengthy and costly experience. We employ over a hundred people on our legal team. They’re some of the best minds in the nation.”
“You need to ask yourselves if you’re prepared to pay for legal counsel another six months,” Charlie said. “Or even two or three years.”
McKeever put his easy going grin back on.
“But spend some time with those numbers. Could it change your life? Could it make all your money worries disappear? Please give it some thought.” And then he went in for the kill.
“We truly want you to be happy. In Between will be our home. And we want you to be a part of our success. We hope you find our check generous. Because we care about this town. And we care about you.”
“You care about your bottom line. We’re just a check to you.
A drop in the bucket compared to what you’ll make over the lifetime of your store.
” I stood to my feet, my heart thudding so loud, I could hardly hear my own voice.
“You care about us? What about my theater? It’s an Art Deco architectural work of art that’s irreplaceable.
Can you bring plays to this town? A beautiful location for entertainers or guest speakers?
” My words caught in my throat. “Can you change lives like that place changed me?”
“Katie—”
“No, Charlie.” I held out my hand to hold off his advance.
“How can you take that from me? You can’t find any other property in this entire town to build on?
It’s that important to you? Years ago my parents restored that building from the shell that it was as a beacon to their lost daughter Amy.
Then it found me instead. And saved me.” Tears slid down my cheeks like rivulets of rain.
“Don’t take it. I’m begging you, don’t take my theater. ”
“I’m sorry, Miss Parker Scott,” said Mr. McKeever. “I think you’ll find our offer to be incredibly generous. Your parents will have enough money to rebuild, most likely even retire.”
“You don’t get it.” I hated them. I hated this company and everything they stood for, every treacly word coming from their truth-spinning lips.
“I hope one day someone puts a price on something you love.” I locked my cold eyes on Charlie.
“And I hope you watch it ripped from your hands, your life. Then you tell me how much that precious check really means.” I picked up the financial offer, lifted it high.
And ripped it to shreds.
I watched it fall to the floor like confetti from the devil’s hands.
As I charged out the room and out into the sunlight, I knew there would be no chance at an appeal. There would be no trial.
My Valiant was gone.