Read Online Voodoo Daddy (A Virgil Jones Mystery) by Thomas L. Scott - Free Book Online
Authors: Thomas L. Scott
Ads: Link
thing that has happened this morning, tragic as it is, we hope you will understand that in the immediate we are extremely busy. So thank you very much for stopping by and, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we will be in touch at our earliest convenience.”
Wow . It was a fine effort, I had to give him that. I thought of what Margery told me….. What ever you do, don’t call him Jim . “I understand, and I can even appreciate your position, Jim. But here’s the thing—”
“It’s James,” Marriott said through his teeth. Not, Jim. James .
“Yes, well, that’s fine. James, then. So, as I was saying, the thing is, time is sort of critical for us. The quicker we can—“
“Detective, you’re not listening. The loss of Franklin this morning is going to have devastating effects on our company unless we take immediate action. Our stock is already off over fifteen percent since the opening bell an hour ago and our investors need to know—need to be assured—that our company is solid. That is what we are doing now, or rather, that is what we are trying to do. So, once again, thank you for your interest in this matter. A representative of our organization will be in touch with you and your people as soon as possible. Please close the door on your way out, and take your two thugs out there with you. I have notified our security personnel to assist you and your associates to the door. Last time I checked, this is still private property on United States soil and at the moment, you are not welcome here. That will be all, Detective . Good day.”
Thank you for your interest? “Just out of curiosity, Jimbo, how many of your security staff did you call?”
Marriott’s jaw was clenched, and he hissed through his teeth. “I will not tolerate your blatant disrespect of me and this organiza—”
“How many?” I asked again.
“Six,” Marriott said, his voice smug. “Two for each of you.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the papers that Rosencrantz had given me and slid them across the table to Marriott. “That’s a search warrant. It allows us access to this building, your offices, your computers, files, and just about anything else we want or need to look at. Your offices are now part of a crime scene in an on-going investigation. I suggest you forget about your stock for a few minutes, Jim, and start assisting us with our job.”
Marriott ignored the warrant I’d slid across the table. “Who is your supervisor, young man? I want to speak with them immediately.”
“I work for the state, Jim. I already told you that. My boss is Cora LaRue. You’ve probably never heard of her. A lot of people haven’t. But her boss is Governor Hewitt McConnell. I know you’ve heard of him. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, the Governor is a past board member of your institution and currently serves as the lead member of your Council of Advisors. As I understand it, the council is there to advise the board. Do I have that right, Jim?”
“Well—”
“In other words, the Governor is going to be advising the board as to who might make the short list for Chairman and CEO to replace Franklin Dugan. I’m guessing you’d like to think you’re going to make that list. Maybe even top it. I mean, look at you, you’re sitting at the head of the table already. How am I doing so far, Jim ?”
Marriott held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Alright, alright. So you’ve got some stones and you’re tough enough to stand toe to toe with me. I admire that. So ask your questions. No one here in this room, or in our entire organization for that matter has anything to hide, I assure you.”
Before I could respond, the double doors at the far end of the room burst open and Donatti and Rosencrantz marched six uniformed security guards into the room, their hands cuffed behind their backs. Donatti smiled and said, “It’s a good thing they all had their own cuffs. I only carry two pair
Wow . It was a fine effort, I had to give him that. I thought of what Margery told me….. What ever you do, don’t call him Jim . “I understand, and I can even appreciate your position, Jim. But here’s the thing—”
“It’s James,” Marriott said through his teeth. Not, Jim. James .
“Yes, well, that’s fine. James, then. So, as I was saying, the thing is, time is sort of critical for us. The quicker we can—“
“Detective, you’re not listening. The loss of Franklin this morning is going to have devastating effects on our company unless we take immediate action. Our stock is already off over fifteen percent since the opening bell an hour ago and our investors need to know—need to be assured—that our company is solid. That is what we are doing now, or rather, that is what we are trying to do. So, once again, thank you for your interest in this matter. A representative of our organization will be in touch with you and your people as soon as possible. Please close the door on your way out, and take your two thugs out there with you. I have notified our security personnel to assist you and your associates to the door. Last time I checked, this is still private property on United States soil and at the moment, you are not welcome here. That will be all, Detective . Good day.”
Thank you for your interest? “Just out of curiosity, Jimbo, how many of your security staff did you call?”
Marriott’s jaw was clenched, and he hissed through his teeth. “I will not tolerate your blatant disrespect of me and this organiza—”
“How many?” I asked again.
“Six,” Marriott said, his voice smug. “Two for each of you.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the papers that Rosencrantz had given me and slid them across the table to Marriott. “That’s a search warrant. It allows us access to this building, your offices, your computers, files, and just about anything else we want or need to look at. Your offices are now part of a crime scene in an on-going investigation. I suggest you forget about your stock for a few minutes, Jim, and start assisting us with our job.”
Marriott ignored the warrant I’d slid across the table. “Who is your supervisor, young man? I want to speak with them immediately.”
“I work for the state, Jim. I already told you that. My boss is Cora LaRue. You’ve probably never heard of her. A lot of people haven’t. But her boss is Governor Hewitt McConnell. I know you’ve heard of him. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, the Governor is a past board member of your institution and currently serves as the lead member of your Council of Advisors. As I understand it, the council is there to advise the board. Do I have that right, Jim?”
“Well—”
“In other words, the Governor is going to be advising the board as to who might make the short list for Chairman and CEO to replace Franklin Dugan. I’m guessing you’d like to think you’re going to make that list. Maybe even top it. I mean, look at you, you’re sitting at the head of the table already. How am I doing so far, Jim ?”
Marriott held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Alright, alright. So you’ve got some stones and you’re tough enough to stand toe to toe with me. I admire that. So ask your questions. No one here in this room, or in our entire organization for that matter has anything to hide, I assure you.”
Before I could respond, the double doors at the far end of the room burst open and Donatti and Rosencrantz marched six uniformed security guards into the room, their hands cuffed behind their backs. Donatti smiled and said, “It’s a good thing they all had their own cuffs. I only carry two pair
Similar Books
