Read Online If I Should Die Before I Die by Peter Israel - Free Book Online Page B

got five Magisters to start with, and not only do their closets have skeletons in them, but their skeletons have baby skeletons. You know that as well as I do. What’s more, the will is going to stand up. Whatever you say, no court will overturn it. The man was competent when it was written; he was competent till the day he died. But that’s self-evident. For once, I say let’s not litigate. That’s what I’ve recommended to my client, and she agrees. And that’s why I’m here. I’m here to talk a deal. I’m here because I’m empowered to talk a deal, and I’m talking to you, Counselor, and nobody else because you alone have the intelligence to understand the elements.”
    Ingratiating , like I said. Flattering would be better, but flattery in such broad strokes as to put even the most naive on guard.
    â€œOne question first, Mr. Barger,” the Counselor said, holding a lighted match over his pipe bowl.
    â€œRoy, please,” Barger said, brushing the stray lock of hair back off his forehead.
    â€œRoy,” the Counselor repeated. He sucked flame from the match, puffed smoke clouds, then with a snap of the wrist extinguished the match. “What’s your rush?”
    â€œWhat’s my rush?”
    â€œThat’s right. You come barging in here—no pun intended—all full of the urgency to make a deal, or talk a deal. At the same time you’re convinced your client is lily-white and simon-pure, and a sure winner in any legal contest with the Magisters, if there is such a legal contest. In that case, I can’t but ask myself: Why is Roy Barger in such a hurry?”
    Clearly the Counselor meant to throw him off guard, but it didn’t work. Outwardly, anyway. Barger didn’t bat an eyelash.
    â€œI’m always in a hurry,” he answered smoothly. “And this time there’s good reason. The stock market for one. Have you followed what’s happened to Magister Companies lately? Down, down and down, even in a generally bullish climate. The stock’s on everyone’s sell list. You know what the analysts are saying as well as I do: that the company’s in chaos. What’s more, you know that it’ll stay that way till the leadership question is resolved.”
    â€œWhich could be to somebody’s advantage in a buy-out situation,” the Counselor said.
    â€œFrom the buyer’s point of view, yes. But is that what you’re suggesting?”
    â€œI’m not suggesting anything,” the Counselor said, blowing smoke. “I’m waiting to hear what deal you have to offer.”
    â€œIt’s very simple,” Barger said, crossing his legs. “My client wants control of the company. She wants to run Magister. She believes it’s what her husband would have wanted. She also believes it’s to the company’s best interest.”
    He paused, glancing at me, then back at the Counselor, as though leaving room for comment. I watched the Counselor, trying to gauge what he was thinking. He drew on his pipe, one of those curved jobs with the silver ring at the joint, and puffed smoke, which eddied upward, wreathing his head. Then he took the pipe out of his mouth, stared at it briefly, then sucked on it again. I saw his jaws work, a sign usually that he was either thinking or angry, or both, but otherwise he simply stared at Barger, dark eyes set deep under shaggy graying brows.
    â€œThat’s what your client desires,” he said at length. “But what’s the deal?”
    â€œIt’s very simple,” Barger repeated. “Essentially it’s whatever the children want. If they want to stay in their current jobs, including their seats on the board, she would welcome them with open arms. She’s totally ready to extend the olive branch.”
    â€œAnd if that’s not what they want?”
    â€œThen she’s prepared to buy them out, at a price to be negotiated