Read Online Gibson & Clarke (Failed Justice Series Book 2) by Rick Santini - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Rick Santini
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immediately put us up with the big boys. You’re my partner—what do you say?”
Marta knew it was a no brainer. She couldn’t come up with a name like that in a million years. She was excited and cautious, all at the same time. She wondered if he would insist upon being a named partner.
“Are you afraid he will be a loose cannon?”
“Maybe. But maybe that’s exactly what we need. Someone no one can figure out. It would be like having Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Bailey, and Dershowitz at the same table all over again. It would scare the living shit out of any sane prosecutor.”
Marta could hear the excitement in Billy’s voice. Even if she thought it was a bad idea, which she didn’t, there was no way to say no.
“Negotiate the best deal you can. And congratulations.”
“Thanks, I will.” I already have.
***
“Marta, I would like you to meet the famous, or should I say infamous, Black Jack Renaldo. Jack, this is my partner, Marta Clarke. Please, let’s all sit down.”
“Please, call me Jack. I hate Black Jack. It sounds like it’s coming from an old Western.”
Marta was the first to break the ice.
“May I suggest we give this a ninety-day trial period? If the clients love you, if we feel it is a good match for all of us, we can negotiate a long-term agreement. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like you’re unwilling to gamble on a sure thing, Ms. Clarke. I am disappointed in you. I thought you had more guts. I have a counteroffer. I want one third of the net profits as of the date I sign on. As to being a named partner, that can be discussed in six months. As to taking time for you to decide, I have to use the men’s room. When I come out, I would like your answer. If it’s yes, you can call Sonny and tell him all his future legal problems are in good hands. If it’s no, I would ask you call me a cab so I can get the next flight home. You’re not the only game in town, and I can think of a dozen firms that would kiss my ass to have me sign on. That’s not arrogance; that’s knowing what I have is highly marketable. Now if you’ll excuse me, nature calls.”
Jack got up and was shown where the men’s room was.
Marta was steaming.
“Who the hell does that pompous bastard think he is?”
Billy replied, “He knows who he is. The only question is, do we? For the record, I vote yes.”
Marta said nothing. She knew Billy was right. She also knew he would cause chaos, especially for her. She could hear Jack coming back. She had about ten seconds to make a decision.
“Welcome to the mad house, partner.”
It may have killed Marta to say it, but it was the right thing to do. In fact, it was the only thing to do.
“You won’t be sorry. I can promise you that. I may be a huge pain in the ass, but the clients will love the results. I think it’s time we all celebrated.”
“It’s only ten thirty in the morning, Jack.”
“Maybe here it is, but in Moscow, it’s closer to midnight.”
Billy and Marta just shook their heads. The trip had begun.
CHAPTER 15
Dinner was held in “The Warehouse.”
No outside guests were there. For all practical purposes, the place was closed. The few waiters had been properly selected. The private dining room was set up for five.
Introductions had been made. On one side of the table sat Sonny Bananas and Mr. Yeung. On the other were Black Jack, Billy Jo, and Marta. It was Jack who stood up and thrust his meaty hand at Sonny.
“Looks like we’ll be breaking bread often, but hopefully not too often. Now if someone can get me a bottle of Jim Beam, I would like to propose a toast.”
The waitstaff had been trained to hear what they were supposed to hear and erase from their memories all else. The bottle of the Kentucky whiskey and five heavy drinking glasses were brought to the table sixty seconds later.
Jack poured. He had a heavy hand. Sonny liked that. Marta stared at a three-quarters-full glass
Marta knew it was a no brainer. She couldn’t come up with a name like that in a million years. She was excited and cautious, all at the same time. She wondered if he would insist upon being a named partner.
“Are you afraid he will be a loose cannon?”
“Maybe. But maybe that’s exactly what we need. Someone no one can figure out. It would be like having Johnnie Cochran, F. Lee Bailey, and Dershowitz at the same table all over again. It would scare the living shit out of any sane prosecutor.”
Marta could hear the excitement in Billy’s voice. Even if she thought it was a bad idea, which she didn’t, there was no way to say no.
“Negotiate the best deal you can. And congratulations.”
“Thanks, I will.” I already have.
***
“Marta, I would like you to meet the famous, or should I say infamous, Black Jack Renaldo. Jack, this is my partner, Marta Clarke. Please, let’s all sit down.”
“Please, call me Jack. I hate Black Jack. It sounds like it’s coming from an old Western.”
Marta was the first to break the ice.
“May I suggest we give this a ninety-day trial period? If the clients love you, if we feel it is a good match for all of us, we can negotiate a long-term agreement. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like you’re unwilling to gamble on a sure thing, Ms. Clarke. I am disappointed in you. I thought you had more guts. I have a counteroffer. I want one third of the net profits as of the date I sign on. As to being a named partner, that can be discussed in six months. As to taking time for you to decide, I have to use the men’s room. When I come out, I would like your answer. If it’s yes, you can call Sonny and tell him all his future legal problems are in good hands. If it’s no, I would ask you call me a cab so I can get the next flight home. You’re not the only game in town, and I can think of a dozen firms that would kiss my ass to have me sign on. That’s not arrogance; that’s knowing what I have is highly marketable. Now if you’ll excuse me, nature calls.”
Jack got up and was shown where the men’s room was.
Marta was steaming.
“Who the hell does that pompous bastard think he is?”
Billy replied, “He knows who he is. The only question is, do we? For the record, I vote yes.”
Marta said nothing. She knew Billy was right. She also knew he would cause chaos, especially for her. She could hear Jack coming back. She had about ten seconds to make a decision.
“Welcome to the mad house, partner.”
It may have killed Marta to say it, but it was the right thing to do. In fact, it was the only thing to do.
“You won’t be sorry. I can promise you that. I may be a huge pain in the ass, but the clients will love the results. I think it’s time we all celebrated.”
“It’s only ten thirty in the morning, Jack.”
“Maybe here it is, but in Moscow, it’s closer to midnight.”
Billy and Marta just shook their heads. The trip had begun.
CHAPTER 15
Dinner was held in “The Warehouse.”
No outside guests were there. For all practical purposes, the place was closed. The few waiters had been properly selected. The private dining room was set up for five.
Introductions had been made. On one side of the table sat Sonny Bananas and Mr. Yeung. On the other were Black Jack, Billy Jo, and Marta. It was Jack who stood up and thrust his meaty hand at Sonny.
“Looks like we’ll be breaking bread often, but hopefully not too often. Now if someone can get me a bottle of Jim Beam, I would like to propose a toast.”
The waitstaff had been trained to hear what they were supposed to hear and erase from their memories all else. The bottle of the Kentucky whiskey and five heavy drinking glasses were brought to the table sixty seconds later.
Jack poured. He had a heavy hand. Sonny liked that. Marta stared at a three-quarters-full glass
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