Mitra's Last Hustle, page 2
part #3 of Fastball Series
“Oh, so you are already familiar with the Dallas real-estate market? You can’t go wrong buying into a moneyed enclave like Highland Park.”
“Ha ha, I have already talked to several agents.”
“It sounds like you and Raj are serious about moving here.”
“Raj has to leave McKenzie…Ah…I mean…he wants to return to National and move back to Dallas.”
Priya shuffled in her seat and looked down. Her words surprised me, but I didn’t ask any follow-up questions.
We finished lunch thirty minutes later and drove down Interstate 635 towards Dallas. “You’re staying at the hotel in the Galleria. How about if I give you an hour to freshen up before we start house hunting in Highland Park?”
I looked over at Raj. “Do you remember the bachelor pad you had near the country club in Las Colinas?”
“Actually, I’ve held onto the condo as a real-estate investment and rent it out. It’s a little bit small for me now—I think Priya wants something with about four thousand more square feet. Ha ha. Priya has champagne tastes. I can’t afford her!”
“Well, you’ll be a senior vice president,” I noted.
Raj lowered his window a half-inch. “Yes, but I don’t have unlimited resources. Isn’t your house close to the Galleria?”
“A few miles south and west.”
“Let’s stop by on the way to the hotel. I’d like to see your wife, Maggie. Bill said you got married.”
Priya grimaced, but didn’t say anything.
“I’m surprised you remember her.”
“I met her years ago at one of the Christmas parties you and Joan used to have. Didn’t she live down the street? Her husband was very sick at that time.”
I paused for several moments. “Joan ran off with her boss and filed for divorce five years ago. Maggie’s husband passed soon after that.”
“Well, sorry to hear that, but it sounds like things turned out very well for you and Maggie.”
There was a brief, awkward silence before Raj continued, “What about your son Joe? I heard he’s quite an accomplished baseball player.”
“Thanks. He’s playing college baseball at Texas University down in Austin.”
Raj smiled and nodded. “That’s fantastic. Do you get down there much?”
“No, not really—I’ve been real busy at work. But he’s playing summer ball on the Cape, and we plan to take a short vacation there and watch some ball in June. It’s probably the best college summer league.”
“Sounds great, and you’ll get away from the Texas heat and eat plenty of seafood!”
Raj looked out the window. “You know how much I love the Yankees. I’d love to see Joe wearing the pinstripes and playing in the Bronx.”
● ● ●
We turned north on my block and headed towards my house. Raj looked out the window and pointed at a bright red “For Sale by Flaw Realty” sign. “Your neighbor’s house is for sale.”
I pulled into my driveway and parked.
Raj glanced at the slightly visible car parked behind the house. “Well, somebody is home. Is that Maggie’s car?”
I sighed. “Nope, that’s my friend Jack’s car. He’s briefly staying with us until he figures out his future.”
Priya perked up. “Hmmm, a mid-life crisis?”
“More, much more than that.”
“Oh, my, sounds interesting,” responded Priya.
We walked into the house and could hear a sports channel on the TV in the living room. We rounded the corner and there sat Jack Heygood, asleep in my La-Z-Boy chair and wearing a Hawaiian shirt with the first four buttons unbuttoned. Several empty beer cans lay on the adjoining coffee table.
Raj looked at me and jeered, “I can see that Jack’s grappling with a very important career decision at the moment.”
Just then, Jack’s right eye opened and appeared to survey the scene. Then both eyes opened, and he quickly stood up. “Oh, Lonny and guests, I was just taking a nap. I’m so sorry.”
Jack looked at Raj and extended a hand before turning to Priya. A sly smile came to his face as he glanced at her from head to toe. Their eyes briefly locked, and then she blushed. Raj frowned as he observed the scene. I felt the instant chemistry between Jack and Priya…and so could Raj.
Raj took a step forward and was toe-to-toe with Jack. “Just what exactly do you do?”
Jack laughed. “I do a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I’m sort of a renaissance guy.”
Priya grinned and tossed her head.
“I’ll go up to my room and get out of your way,” said Jack as he turned to grab the empty beer cans.
After Jack ascended the stairs to the second floor, we sat down in the living room. Raj appeared to be in thought. “I’ve seen this Jack Heygood before. He came to your Christmas parties. Didn’t he have a very attractive Chinese wife?”
“Yes, your memory is very good. Jack was married to Wendy for several years before their marriage fell apart after Tropical Investments filed for bankruptcy protection. Jack and several others ran a Ponzi scheme.”
Raj briefly closed his eyes. “What happened to Wendy?”
“She was brutally beaten and died at their house. Nothing was ever proven, but the police think disgruntled investors in Tropical Investments were looking for money that Jack might have squirrelled away.”
Raj leaned back on the sofa. “So what has this Jack Heygood done since Tropical Investments folded?”
“Jack testified against his former boss so he wasn’t charged for his involvement in the Ponzi scheme.”
Raj laughed and looked over at Priya. “That doesn’t surprise me—he seems like a rat.”
Then I continued, “Last year, he raised millions of dollars from the venture capital community to start an international agriculture company that he ultimately sold to his Mexican business partners.”
“Yeah, yeah, but look at him now,” said Raj, rolling his eyes.
Priya looked around the living room. “Lonny, this is a very nice house. May I look around?”
“Sure, go ahead. Raj and I can catch up about National.”
Priya briefly walked into the kitchen and dining room before heading up the stairs.
After fifteen minutes, Raj’s phone rang and he picked up. Frowning, he looked at me. “It’s Paris, I need to talk to them. May I use your study?”
“No problem. Make yourself at home.”
Raj walked into the study and shut the door behind him. Soon I could hear bits and pieces of Raj’s conversation. He spoke in French and seemed to be yelling. It didn’t sound like an amicable discussion.
I wondered what Priya could be doing, so I walked upstairs.
Glancing into Jack’s room, Priya stood behind Jack seated at the desk near the window. Her left hand was on the back of the chair near his right shoulder.
“Jack, you have a very nice view into your neighbor’s backyard.”
Hearing me, they both turned towards me. “Lonny, I really like your house and the neighborhood.”
● ● ●
Soon, Priya and I walked downstairs and met Raj in the living room. Priya held Raj’s right hand between both of her hands and said, “I really like this neighborhood. Let’s look at the house next door that’s on the market.”
Raj raised his eyebrows and briefly glanced at me. “No offense to Lonny, but this isn’t Highland Park. Would you be happy here?”
“Yes, this neighborhood is perfect, and we will be close to Lonny and Maggie.”
“Well, okay. If that’s what you want.”
I nodded. “Jim Flaw is a neighbor who owns the real-estate company. Shall we walk down the street to meet him?”
CHAPTER 4
Our appointment with Bill and Dan was scheduled for nine o’clock on Monday morning. Raj, Renee Horvath and I arrived on time and stood in the hallway immediately outside of Bill’s office. His sentry administrative assistant scowled at us from behind her desk—we would wait outside until ushered in. Fifteen minutes later the office door opened and Dan motioned to us.
Bill’s spacious, corner office afforded a view of the airport to the north. A telescope mounted on a tripod stood next to the window adjacent to his desk and a small circular table. Three couches surrounded a square coffee table in the middle of the room. Bill was already seated on the couch nearest his desk. He looked up and smiled as he motioned us to sit down. “Good morning, it’s nice to see everyone. Please have a seat.”
Raj and I sat on the couch directly to Bill’s left while Dan and Renee sat to his right. Bill raised his hands. “Raj, I trust that Lonny showed you a good time…Have you given our offer more thought? Are you ready to make a decision?”
Raj nodded. “Bill, it is a distinct honor to rejoin National Airlines and lead this strategic integration effort.” Bill and Raj immediately stood up and shook hands.
“Outstanding!” said Dan. “Were you able to find a house?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, Priya told me we are going to buy the house on sale next door to Lonny.”
Bill and Dan chuckled, while Renee grimaced. “I see who the general is in your family,” quipped Bill.
Just then, Bill’s administrative assistant opened the door and walked in. “I am so sorry to interrupt, but Skip Wise is on the phone. He says it’s important. What should I tell him?”
Bill rolled his eyes. “Patch him through, I’ll pick up on the speakerphone.”
Raj glanced at Bill. “Who is this Skip Wise?”
“Someone who had a forgettable career here at National.”
The light blinked on the speakerphone, and Bill hit the speaker button.
“Skip, this is a surprise. I’ve been worried about you.”
“Thanks for taking my call. I know I didn’t leave National under the best circumstances. Good to hear that you were able to resurrect Project Green Field and to complete the deal.”
Bill and Dan shook their heads in dismay. Then Bill hit the mute button. “That son of a bitch almost scuttled the deal.”
Skip continued, “I was young and lacked experience. I’ve put my life back together. I am very sorry about my momentary lapse of judgment while negotiating with Global, but I’ve learned and matured as a result of my mistakes.”
Bill’s eyes widened, and he unmuted the phone. “That’s good to hear, Skip.”
“Thanks for your concern…Ah…maybe I could come back to National? Maybe start at a lower level than a VP and reprove myself? I understand the Global landscape and the assets you acquired.”
Bill bared his teeth and growled, “Hey kiddo, you don’t fit into the plans anymore…you’re not coming back.”
“But, but, Bill—”
“Goodbye, Skip. Peace be with you.”
Bill shook his head and hung up the phone.
Raj grimaced and looked around the room. “What a loser!”
Dan took in a deep breath and said, “Let’s get back to the matter at hand. Raj, what are your thoughts on this integration effort?”
“It’s been my experience integrating companies across many industries and in numerous countries that the financial benefits of an acquisition can be more quickly achieved if there is one decision-maker, ME! We need to execute swiftly with one clear vision. I don’t want to be slowed by inexperienced dilettantes that only create confusion. I need complete control of the operation. Of course, I would report progress to you on a bi-weekly basis.”
After a moment, Raj glanced at Bill and Dan. “Well, is the plan acceptable?”
Bill’s eyes narrowed. “Usually, we like to be hands-on at all levels of decision-making. But we want results. The board demands results! Given our large investment, the benefits must start flowing through to the P&L this year. If that’s what it takes, then okay. Maybe it is better this way…since I will have only one throat to choke.”
Raj gulped and looked at Bill. Bill and Dan laughed for a few seconds before Raj collected himself and continued, “Good, of course I want Lonny and Renee to be my lieutenants. In addition, I have worked closely with a very select group of boutique consulting firms that can provide valued expertise to accelerate the integration of Global’s assets and European routes. This external talent can quickly address issues on both the commercial and operational sides of the business. I will reach out to them to establish a business relationship.”
Bill leaned back and waved his hands. “The deal with Global includes more than the European routes. We also obtained several routes to South and Central America and a fleet of twenty J10 jumbo jets.”
Dan took a sip of his coffee and turned to Raj. “You know how they do business down there in South America.”
Raj nodded. “Yes—”
Dan smiled and interjected, “Just tell us what you do down there…but not how you do it.”
Bill glanced around the room and chuckled, while Renee Horvath’s jaw dropped and she averted her eyes. There was a brief, uncomfortable silence as everyone glanced at Renee. Raj took a deep breath. “I will, of course, look to the general counsel to help me navigate that landscape.”
Renee gathered herself as she looked at Raj, and their eyes briefly locked. “Looking forward to working with you again.”
Renee was in her late thirties and very attractive with an engaging smile, reddish-brown hair and a pointed nose. Frequently, she wore short skirts that exposed her long, superbly conditioned legs. Years ago, she was very popular with the single, lower-level management guys and played the field—not staying with the same guy for more than a month. She came into my office late one afternoon and massaged my neck as she stood behind me reviewing a presentation. At the time, I was separated from my first wife Joan and didn’t pursue that opportunity. However, later on a business trip to Chicago we got drunk and had a one-night stand. There were rumors about Raj and Renee when they were both single during Raj’s first stint at National, but nothing was ever substantiated.
Raj rocked back on the couch. “Tell me about the J10 jumbo jets.”
Dan waved his hands in the air. “Global threw them into the deal at the last minute. It was sort of a curveball, but we didn’t have a choice because Northern was amenable. The J10s are late 1980s technology and not very fuel efficient, with four engines.”
“Did the Tech Ops boys inspect the aircraft and maintenance records?” asked Raj.
Dan glanced around the conference room. “There wasn’t much time, but they did a cursory review of the records over a three-day weekend. No show-stoppers were found.”
Raj nodded, “As a first order of business, I’ll have my consultants take a look.”
CHAPTER 5
The silver four-door Audi A7 turned into the parking lot in front of the warehouse just off of Loop 12. A green-lettered “JH Fruit Distribution” sign was prominently displayed high on the side near the roof. To the north sat a pile of old office furniture and paintings that appeared to be abandoned. Other than an open loading dock door, there was no sign of any activity. Two Asian men wearing suits quickly exited the front seats. Tattoos were visible just above their shirt collars. The shorter man with a pockmarked face opened the back door behind the driver’s seat. Soon an older man with a weathered face emerged. The three men walked up the loading dock steps and entered the warehouse.
Jerry Huggins’ office was located seventy-five feet from the loading dock door and nestled in the bowels of the empty warehouse. He was a stocky man in his early forties, a few inches shorter than six feet, with short blond hair and a large head. Usually with a toothpick dangling from the side of his mouth, he didn’t possess a sophisticated appearance.
Jerry faced away from the door to his office, reading the sports page with his feet propped up on top of his desk. Knock. Knock. Not anticipating any visitors, Jerry’s mouth opened as he spun around in his chair just as the three men strode inside. With a heavy Korean accent, the taller man asked, “You Jack Heygood?”
Jerry briefly studied the men. All three wore suits with unmistakable bulges beneath their jackets. Light perspiration appeared on Jerry’s forehead. His face turned white. Taking a deep breath, Jerry responded, “No, never heard of him.”
The taller man took two steps forward, grabbed Jerry’s shirt with both hands and pulled him close. “Dat’s bullchit!”
Perspiration poured down Jerry’s face as he glanced around—almost to see if there was an object he could grab to use as a weapon. “Oh, yes, yes…that Jack Heygood—he used the warehouse for his avocado business.”
“You work for him?”
The other younger man walked around the desk, grabbed Jerry from behind and placed his arm tightly around Jerry’s neck. Jerry was sandwiched and started to breathe hard. “Oh, I used to work for Jack, but not anymore. That was a long time ago.”
The older man waved his hands and shouted something in Korean. The taller man with teardrop tattoos on his face grabbed Jerry’s right wrist with one hand while securing Jerry’s thumb with the other. “Maybe you talk if break finger one by one. No bowl anymore.”
“I’m Jerry…Jerry Huggins. I ran this warehouse for Jack. We were business partners.”
The taller man pressed down on Jerry’s thumb. “You know Johnny Kwon?”
Jerry squirmed in the clutches of the two men. “Johnny was my graveyard-shift manager when I worked for Jack—he’s dead. Blown up in front of the warehouse by a bomb meant for Heygood.”
“You see him die?”
“Ah…no…I wasn’t here…but Jack told me.”
The taller man laughed. “Nobody saw Johnny die except Heygood. Body not identified by police.”
“Why are you interested in Johnny?”
“Johnny worked for us. We gave him money.”
“Look, I don’t know anything.”
“Where Heygood?”
Jerry looked like a caged wild animal. “Haven’t seen him in three months. He might have moved back to Florida with his girlfriend. He couldn’t find a job here in Dallas after everything that happened.”
