ROBAIR SERVED A RANCH-STYLE BREAKFAST: STEAK AND eggs, hot biscuits. I looked around the table. The last plate had been cleared away and now Robair discreetly withdrew, closing the big doors behind him. I drained my coffee cup and got to my feet.
"Gentlemen," I said, "I know I don't have to tell you what a shock it was yesterday to find myself suddenly with the responsibility of a big company like Cord Explosives. That's why I asked you gentlemen here this morning to help me decide what's best for the company."
Commack's thin voice reached across the table. "You can count on us to do what's right, son."
"Thank you, Mr. Commack," I said. "It seems to me that the first thing we have to do is elect a new president. Someone who will devote himself to the company the same way my father did."
I looked around the table. Denby sat at the end, scribbling notes in a pad. Nevada was rolling a cigarette. He glanced up at me, his eyes smiling. McAllister sat quietly next to him. Haskell and Commack were silent. I waited for the silence to grow heavy. It did. I didn't have to be told who were my friends.
"Do you have any suggestions, gentlemen?" I asked.
Commack looked up at me. "Do you?"
"I thought so yesterday," I said. "But I slept on it and this morning I came to the conclusion that it's a pretty big nut to crack for someone with my experience."
For the first time that morning, Haskell, Commack and Denby brightened. They exchanged quick looks. Commack spoke up. "That's pretty sensible of you, son," he said. "What about Judge Haskell here? He's retired from the bench but I think he might take the job on to help you out."
I turned to the Judge. "Would you, Judge?"
The Judge smiled slowly. "Only to help you out, boy," he said. "Only to help you out"
I looked over at Nevada. He was smiling broadly now. I smiled back at him, then turned to the others. "Shall we vote on it, gentlemen?"
For the first time, Denby spoke up. "According to the charter of this company, a president can only be elected by a meeting of the stockholders. And then only by a majority of the stock outstanding."
"Let's have a stockholder's meeting, then," Commack said. "The majority of stock is represented here."
"That's a good idea," I said. I turned to the Judge, smiling. "That is if I can vote my stock," I added.
"You sure can, boy," the Judge boomed, taking a paper from his pocket and handing it to me. "It's there in your father's will. I had it admitted to probate this morning. It's all legally yours now."
I took the will and continued. "All right, then, the director's meeting is adjourned and the stockholder's meeting is called to order. The first item on the agenda is to elect a president and treasurer of the company to replace the late Jonas Cord."
Commack smiled. "I nominate Judge Samuel Haskell."
Denby spoke quickly. Too quickly. "Second the nomination."
I nodded. "The nomination of Judge Haskell is noted. Any further nominations before the slate is closed?"
Nevada got to his feet. "I nominate Jonas Cord, Junior," he drawled.
I smiled at him. "Thank you." I turned to the Judge and my voice went hard and flat. "Do I hear the nomination seconded?"
The Judge's face was flushed. He glanced at Commack, then at Denby. Denby's face was white.
"Do I hear the nomination seconded?" I repeated coldly.
He knew I had them. "Second the nomination," the Judge said weakly.
"Thank you, Judge," I said.
It was easy after that. I bought their stock for twenty-five thousand dollars and the first thing I did was fire Denby.
If I was going to have a secretary, I didn't want a prissy little sneak like him. I wanted one with tits.
Robair came into the study, where McAllister and I were working. I looked up. "Yes, Robair?"
He bowed his head respectfully. "Miss Rina would like to see you in her room, suh."
I got to my feet and stretched. This sitting at a desk for half a day was worse than anything I'd ever done. "O.K., I’ll go right up."
McAllister looked at me questioningly.
"Wait for me," I said. "I won't be long."
Robair held the door for me and I went up the stairs to Rina's room. I knocked on the door.
"Come in," she called.
She was sitting at her table in front of a mirror. Louise was brushing her hair with a big white brush. Rina's eyes looked up at me in the mirror.
"You wanted to see me?" I asked.
"Yes," she answered. She turned to Louise. "That's all for now," she said. "Leave us."
The girl nodded silently and started for the door. Rina's voice reached after her. "And wait downstairs. I’ll call when I want you."
Rina looked at me and smiled. "She has a habit of listening at keyholes."
"I know," I said, closing the door behind me. "What is it you wanted to see me about?"
Rina got to her feet. Her black negligee swirled around her. Through it I could see she was wearing black undergarments, also. Her eyes caught mine. She smiled again. "What do you think of my widow's weeds?"
"Very merry-widowish," I answered. "But that isn't what you asked me up for."
She took a cigarette and lit it. "I want to get out of here right after the funeral."
"What for?" I asked. "It's your house. He left it to you."
Her eyes met mine through a cloud of smoke she blew out. "I want you to buy the house from me."
"What'll I use for money?"
"You'll get it," she said flatly. "Your father always got it for the things he wanted."
I studied her. She seemed to know exactly what she was doing. "How much do you want?" I asked cautiously.
"One hundred thousand dollars," she said calmly.
"What?" I exclaimed. "It isn't worth more than fifty-five."
"I know," she said, "But I'm throwing in something else – my stock in the Cord Explosives Company."
"The stock isn't worth the difference!" I exploded. "I just bought twice as much this morning for twenty-five thousand!"
She got to her feet and walked over to me. Her eyes stared coldly up at me. "Look, Jonas," she said coldly, "I'm being nice about it. Under the Nevada law, I'm entitled to one-third your father's estate, will or no will. I could break the probate of the will just like that if I wanted to. And even if I couldn't, I could tie you up in court for five years. What would happen to all your plans then?"
I stared at her silently.
"If you don't believe me, why don't you ask your lawyer friend downstairs?" she added.
"You already checked?" I guessed.
"Damn right I did!" she snapped. "Judge Haskell called me as soon as he got back to his office!"
I drew in my breath. I should have known the old bastard wouldn't let go that easy. "I haven't got that kind of money," I said. "Neither has the company."
"I know that," she said. "But I’m willing to be reasonable about it. I’ll take fifty thousand the day after the funeral and your note endorsed by the company for ten thousand a year for the nest five years."
I didn't need a lawyer to tell me she'd had good advice. "O.K.," I said, starting for the door. "Come on downstairs. I’ll have McAllister prepare the papers."
She smiled again. "I couldn't do that."
"Why not?" I demanded.
"I'm in mourning," she said. "How would it look for the widow of Jonas Cord to come downstairs to transact business?" She went back to her vanity table and sat down. "When the papers are ready, send them up."
9
IT WAS FIVE O'CLOCK WHEN WE GOT OUT OF THE TAXI in front of the bank building in downtown Los Angeles. We went through the door and walked back to the executive offices in the rear of the bank. McAllister led me through another door marked private. It was a reception room.
A secretary looked up. "Mr. McAllister." She smiled. "We thought you were in Nevada."
"I was," he replied. "Is Mr. Moroni in?"
"Let me check," she said. "Sometimes he has a habit of leaving the office without telling me." She disappeared through another door.