Читать книгу Yet Untitled - Welby Thomas Cox Jr. - Страница 8

“Visitor for Hamilton”,

Hamilton jumped to his feet anxious for contact with anyone outside. He was led from the cell to a small room off the common area or ‘Pod’ as it was referred to. Thad waited, he heard voices, it sounded like Donohue and Hamilton cringed at the thought of another session of interrogation by this vicious, sadistic homophobic, and whom Hamilton knew was trying with all his insight, cunning and influence to make a case against him for at least one murder. Thad remembered the last lamentation of Christ on the cross, “Eli, Eli, Lama Sabacthani,”… that is, “My God, My God, why hath thou forsaken me?”

The door opened, Hamilton held his breath. It was Michael Pearlman, his old friend and attorney. Pearlman was startled to see his client under these strenuous conditions; Hamilton hugged him.

“No touching”, came the voice over the address system.

Pearlman backed away… emotionally touched by his clients’ reaction and condition; Hamilton smiled to relieve the stress. He remembered his attorney when he had hair, and he remembered how they had set some high precedent in the relationship of an attorney to a client who had to remain, at the time, anonymous!

Hamilton tried to remember how he had first met Michael Pearlman. He remembered more about the old-line firm Pearlman was with, Peabody, Peabody & Helm, and then it hit him. Hamilton had been required to attend a seminar on bank fraud, Pearlman was on a distinguished panel of lawyers, accountants and bankers. Hamilton was impressed at how young Pearlman was and how knowledgeable on the subject. Hamilton thought if I ever need an attorney, this is my man! And little did he know that he would need his help soon thereafter in the formation of a corporation.

They had done extremely well, this odd combination, even unorthodox, some would say. Some would say the methodology employed was creative and futuristic; some would say that it was nothing short of illegal. But the mind of Michael Pearlman was always one step ahead of those trying to prove that case!

The word on the street was that Mid-West Engineering’s most essential element in its drive to expanded operations was not the prestigious educational backgrounds of its officers nor its history of excellence in the performance of a range of engineering contracts but rather in the shrewd management, the innovative techniques in the solicitation of work which also involved Pearlman, its magic show, with money, through the wizardry of its vice president of management, Thad Hamilton. For his hardnosed tactics common to business among Sicilians, some said he had his named changed from Hamiltonini. There is always innuendo among the also- ran and those who just cannot figure it out.

Hamilton had only a cursory understanding of the engineering business and that was no doubt the reason that he took the firm in the most unconventional directions. He was surprised and honored when one of his customers from the bank approached him with the offer to participate as a principal in the establishment of an environmental lab. The clients’ enthusiasm and his partners’ academic credentials convinced Hamilton that the firm had promise.

Thad put up the money for an annual budget and the fledgling enterprise moved into a small office space in a building he owned. A slight of hand maneuver made possible by Hamilton’s bank officer status and his position to approve a loan without oversight from his superiors. In addition, his insider information on a bank client unable to make mortgage payments on an undervalued multi-function building provided Hamilton the opportunity and the gratitude of his client for the option of handing over the payments to someone he felt trustworthy and capable of making the mortgage payments on time, thereby salvaging for the troubled bank client’s credit standing! Of course the newly found net worth for Hamilton was reward for doing the right thing…a selectivity business event Hamilton would replicate over time, bolstering his confidence and standing in the business community.

The other two principals in the transaction, put up a professional contract with the government through the Environmental Pollution Agency (the EPA) which they had secured to monitor air and noise pollution on Interstate 64 and, they provided the technical expertise as well, to organize the work. But when that contract expired the firm melted back to the original partners. During a brain storming session to determine the future of the firm, Thad asked the partners the quintessential question, how does an engineer go about getting work?

Prolano, a brilliant PhD, went through the process of relating the methodology for getting professional engineering or architectural contracts. It wasn’t like any other business. Advertising yields nothing more than an institutionalization of the firm name for the future if you happen to be around long enough for someone to remember that you sponsored this or that program. Government entities on the other hand, the greatest source of work for the firm, advertise for engineers in the classified section of the local newspaper, asking the engineers to submit qualifications under what is known as Request For Proposals. The engineers submit copies of curriculum vitae and references.

“So getting the work comes down to your professional qualifications including your academic accomplishments?” Thad asked in a meeting with Prolano and the firms other partner, Franco Belini.

Prolano explained, “The trouble is that there are a number of firms with academic credentials, and many of these firms have history that provides evidence of ability. Nothing like experience.”

“It’s like the old chicken and the egg,” Thad said.

“If only it were that simple,” Prolano responded.

“How so?” Thad asked.

Prolano went on, “I was idealistic enough to believe the world awaits any great mind capable of opening new methodology. For example, you would think it would be a rudimentary process for an engineer to design a system known to exist for thousands of years which utilizes naturally occurring agents to deal with the problem of hazardous waste. Mother Nature will clean these agents left to their own devices over a period of time. We know that. So, our methodology is to speed up the process and the cure. We propose to do so by creating a slurry of the waste material within a compound into which we introduce, specifically engineered organisms or bugs. We enrich the process with molasses and voila, the bugs eat the hazardous waste material.

“Oh yeah?” Thad said, “And now the bugs have grown hair between their legs. They’re retained by Japanese movie producers and they march into communities and eat all the pussy!”

“Interestingly, the bugs have more sophisticated taste then some people I know. They only eat the hazardous material, and when this medium has been contained, the bugs go away, incapable of living without the juice,” Prolano said.

“So you’ve invented the miracle bug that won’t come to town and eat our pussy and it costs a fortune to produce and maintain?” Hamilton laughed.

“That is the beauty of the process and the economics, the cost of this technology is less than 1 % of the processes recommended by the government’s Environmental Pollution Agency consultants. And moreover this technology doesn’t impact the environment. We do not burn the waste thereby saving our air quality and we do not bury the waste thereby saving our soil, the ground water or the aquifer,” Prolano said.

“I don’t get it,” Thad said.

“It’s cheaper by far and it does not adversely affect the environment. I’m starting to sound like one of the pitch men on TV,” Hamilton feigned.

“Well, the worst part of wanting to do the best possible job for the least cost has these shadow manipulations operating against the best interest of the public! In short,” Prolano said, “the public is routinely being fucked by the government married to big- name consultants who advise the use of technology which they own or control through the manipulation of public corporations and their devious stock options and ownership. Go figure, we can clean up the mess at $ 70 per metric ton and the government through the Environmental Pollution Authority ( EPA) insist on spending $ 400 per metric ton out of the Superfund while using practices which contaminate the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil our children play on! But what do you expect, everyone is so certain that the government works for the public, as they should, but given enough time every bureaucrat begins to think that the money and the authority is his exclusive pervue. The sickness of a system which doesn’t have the ability to purge itself”. Prolano said.

“And every union contracted to the government is striking for lifetime guarantees…so we can’t fight the mega-conglomerate consultants or the feds. Who else uses the non-pussy eating bugs?” Hamilton said.

“They are utilized on every sewage treatment system built!” Prolano responded.

“And we are qualified to build a sewage treatment plant?” Thad asked.

“Of course, we could build anything that’s ever been imagined, and a few that haven’t,” Prolano responded quite out of character. Hamilton would learn over the years that Prolano wasn’t given to self-aggrandizement… but he was short on patience and could be rather annoyed with his need to move on without regard for explanation of the murky world in which he practiced…it was clear enough to him.

Thad continued to probe the partners… “So let’s see, the fact that the firm is academically qualified is of no consequence, and it appears to me that this firm needs one of what I would call the LAP…it doesn’t stand for “ lacca pussi” either, it is luck, politics and A Big Money Pump…am I close”? Thad asked.

The third partner, Dr. Belini, who was previously just satisfied to listen finally spoke up. “It’s sad but true, that it takes more than academic qualifications to work for either the state, local or federal governments. I guess it was a dream that was unattainable for three guys from Hooterville. But Prolano and I can still teach!”

“Yeah,” Thad said. ”Go teach all these young minds that the government is run by a bunch of fucking crooks!”

“With your permission, I have an idea which may work. Prolano, is it possible to get the list of all communities seeking to build a sewage treatment plant”? Thad inquired.

“Certainly, that’s the easy part. You see most of the communities are unable to build a facility without federal funding or a new local tax to pay for the facility,” Prolano responded.

“You mean they wait until they have all the money before they build,” Thad continued.

“Of course, practically speaking no politician worth his retirement and fat pension plan has guts enough to suggest a local referendum for a tax increase on a public facility which neighboring counties are getting for nearly free! The way it works is that there is a list developed by the feds, a sort of pecking order. A community works its way to the top of the list and with its matching funds in place, usually 20%, the feds approve the project for the environmental impact portion and preliminary design. The community puts the project out for bid or Request for Proposals, which all local firms have been waiting for years to bid on. The county in its infinite wisdom selects the engineer, contracts are drawn, the impact statement is approved by the Department of Natural Resources, the design is approved by local, state and federal authority after public hearings for the input of the public, and the plant is built. The county gets a new Sewage Treatment Facility for a 20% investment which they have saved over maybe 15 or 20 years, and the engineers are paid a fee representing 6-10% of the construction cost”. Prolano said.

“Get the list Prolano, let’s meet again in 10 days. I’ve got a plan that may give this firm more business than it can handle, but I’ll need some professional help with the law and taxes before I am prepared to waste your time”. Hamilton said.

Getting the list together was the easy side of the equation. Prolano would later inform Hamilton it was simply a matter of asking for the list from the Department of Natural Resources. The department which historically is responsible for granting large no bid contracts plays a great deal of politics but uniquely, not at this level. One of the few games in town where the little guy can win when his time comes…the only rub being the ability to come forward with the local match or participation funds. If the community at the head of the list fails to comply by not being able to produce the local funding percentage, the funds from the state and the feds don’t necessarily go to the next community in line, and then the politicos begin to have fun…especially the governors’ office.

After receiving the list from Prolano, Thad developed a business plan, which envisioned the issuance of a tax issue for the sale of revenue bonds for a private entity on a lease/purchase of the plant. To confirm and qualify his plan, he retained a CPA, Charles Lorch, and it was Hamilton’s first opportunity to use Corporate Tax and Securities Attorney, Michael Pearlman. Both Pearlman and Lorch were recognized as the most astute council in the field of tax and the law relevant to municipal and taxable bond issues. After several meetings, the business plan took shape. It was now time to meet once again with the partners and it was time to make history with one of the first privatized public works project in the country more than ten years before President Ronald Regan popularized the concept. Hamilton felt a twinge of pride and accomplishment over his team…Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid…these guys were good…no great, and they were writing the history of privatization.

“Let’s see,” Prolano said, “We hire a law firm to represent our firm… that’s not the engineering company? The law firm sends a letter to the County Attorney of the targeted county stating that they represent a firm, qualified and capable of providing a turn-key design/build and managed sewage treatment facility? This company, the letter will confirm will be subject to all law and oversight of the County Attorney, County Engineer and the County Magistrates. It will put up all necessary matching funds and own the facility for a period of 20 years, and at the end of this period, the company will sign over the title to the plant to the County for $1 and other valuable consideration?”

“Thad you know the match on the projects you have identified are a minimum of two million?” Dr. Belini informed. “Obviously, we don’t have those kinds of funds!”

Thad responded, “If the plan is approved, the new corporation would qualify as a special- use corporation, according to both Pearlman and Lorch, under the Industrial Development Authority granted to the county when they built an industrial park. The new corporation will induce the county to issue Revenue Bonds representing 100% of the projected cost required to get the federal funds. In addition, the land will be donated to the project by the county and the cost of the property estimate by a value appraisal would be included in the total estimated cost of the project…therefore, we get all the money required through the sale of taxable bonds purchased by some pension fund.

“What a deal for the politicians and for the community! The pork is passed around and there is plenty for all! It was clear as well that the selection process was ripe for the insidious graft practiced by local politicians. While dangling these major projects for the local and regional engineer the politicos are able to maintain a constant cash flow for campaign coffers through the sale of tickets to various political events. $1,000 here, $500 there from a dozen firms vying for work amounts to a tidy tax-free sum for a Commissioner or Magistrate operating on a salary of $ 35 thousand. Little wonder all these corn seeds are shooting for these part-time activities….so much for doing a little community service!” Pearlman laughed.

The object for the engineer is to maintain contact with the elected representative in order to secure votes for the projects when they finally make their way to the docket. This insidious form of corruption is a way of life for all professions wanting to do business in America, in all communities without exception. Every job let for professional services comes with the implicit history of political activity. Politicians and various political cronies have long memories and any firm unwilling to play “the buy the raffle ticket game”… in the denominations suggested, is ostracized from the game, which puts game, in the form of food, on the table! In some states and communities, the ante is bolder. The political party in power plays out these raids. A corporation gift is never acceptable, only personal checks or cash in brown bags…hence ‘the brown bag man’!

While there is sufficient evidence to prove that there is no profession more vulnerable than that of the engineer to the political spoils, Thad seemed to have found a way around the process. Charles Lorch’s research into the tax structure required for this transaction and Michael Pearlman’s development of the three corporation concept, wholly owned by the engineering company, and all represented autonomously by the renowned law firm of Peabody, Peabody & Helm. Thad had discovered that governmental and political intelligence, operating in an economic vacuum, invariably fail to see the upside of its own leveraged strength, and Pearlman had researched and developed the concept into a legal and professionally acceptable form.

Penny pinchers and fools operate most small cities, counties and towns… most barely high school graduates…and that, in name only. Imagine expecting these folks with the responsibility for finding an extra $ 2 million for a federal match project when the entire county budget would not exceed that amount. Only through frugal savings, the most conservative office holders will tell the taxpayers, can we hope to have the funds required for the match when our number comes up for a new plant. “We must save and sacrifice, that is our fiduciary duty!” Whatever that word means most of the old cronies around the courthouse would be heard saying, and joking that the word really means fuckin’ the old lady!

But they were fucking themselves, up the ass and out the nose. What they failed to understand was that each year ate away whatever savings through inflation and the failure to construct modern infrastructure left most of these little communities out of the competitive loop for new industry and business and with the loss as well, the influx of new taxpayers, the lifeblood of any community. But, in most small towns there is an inbred hostility to change. Most of those who had lived there for generations generally fell into one of five major categories: agricultural, professional (attorney, banker, and accountant) business, service or education. Public Education invariably employed the most folks and therefore carried the most weight politically. A school board in most counties was all balls, regardless of the length of the dress and everybody knew it.

That sense of power and the powerlessness with which it left the next generation was a source of continued consternation for people like Thad Hamilton. Each year the best and the brightest marched off to Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Houston, New York or wherever, just to get away from the ‘end of the line’ and backward nature of these communities. “That’s the way it is!” sang the boss.

With the help of competent professionals, Hamilton seemed to have found the route around the political process, and his little engineering firm could begin what they had been trained to do… provide the necessary infrastructure for the communities for a decent return on time and equity! Peabody, Peabody & Helm put the ball in motion.

On a crystal clear morning in May, James W. Seeling, County Attorney for Lake County, Indiana noticed immediately the impressive letterhead of the giant Indianapolis law firm, a place he had hoped to work as a law clerk and the place he had secretly longed to have his name as one of the partners in the skyscraper fronting on Michigan Avenue. He ran his finger across the engraved letterhead…saw his name, and then glanced at the signature of Michael A. Pearlman. He saw Mr. Pearlman in his mind eye, his black hair slicked back with a wet gel, sport coat hanging on the hall tree. He was sporting professionally tailored wool slacks with suspenders over an immaculate starched blue shirt with a white collar and gold cuff links, Gucci loafers with a shine like a…well, bright! He glanced at his own scuffed, worn- heeled Thom McCann’s and thought it may be time to replace them with his Sunday best, which he literally wore only to church.

Seeling read the letter and then reread it. He sat back in his chair, took a cigar from its box, took off the wrapper, placed the plastic tip between his teeth and lit the cigar. Just the ticket, he thought. This little bit of news will guarantee this year’s election and his fifth four-year term as County Attorney. Closer he thought to the magic twenty years and a pension for life before he reached the ripe old age of forty-five. Thank you Lord for Peabody, Peabody & Helm after all! Seeling switched on the intercom; “Get me the Board of Education”.

Pearlman was smooth, not slick, the difference between education and professional experience as opposed to salesmanship. He had cut his teeth on corporate law, served his time in the trenches with the firm before becoming a partner. He was an expert in corporate finance and with Charles Lorch’s acumen on tax law the team was prepared for the hastily called executive session of the County Council, which had been requested by James Seeling.

The presentation was made to open- mouthed members who clearly were in over their heads.

“Simply put,” Seeling said, “Your client, who must remain anonymous until this proposal is agreed upon, is prepared and qualified to make all necessary applications to the state and federal authorities for the permits to build our sewage treatment plant and to secure the federal matching funds by virtue of an irrevocable Letter of Credit to guarantee the community obligation in the amount of $ 10 million on an estimated $ 50 million- dollar project. This firm, will be responsible for the selection of the engineers, bid the construction, let the contracts, oversee the construction, and after the plant is built, they will retain an operating company to manage the plant for 20 years. At the end of this time, they will legally turn the plant and the ownership over to the Lake County for $1 dollar and other valuable considerations”.

Pearlman confirmed that Seeling had succulently reduced a rather complicated business proposal to one paragraph.

“To which,” he added, “Please note the admonition that the proposal is binding for a period of ten days and that the members of the County Council and the staff are bound by a Non-Disclosure, Non-Circumvention Agreement that precludes any discussion of the offer outside this room!”

When the floor was opened to questions, there was a very long pause. General shock filled the heads of the magistrates who were hearing this proposal for the first time. The prospect of a new $50 million dollar sewage treatment plant forever eliminating the stench, and at no cost up front to the community. The fact that the political spoils had just been taken off the table in one fell swoop wasn’t lost on any of them, money they were counting on for years to come, reelection elixir down the toilet if this proposal saw the light of day! They waited, they prayed, each glancing nervously at the other. Knowing what must be said, but not knowing how to say it, or having the guts to put the real issue on the table. They all knew that if they turned down this project proposal without legal justification they would be skewered by the press and soundly rejected by the community at the polls in the election in the fall. The legal issue seemed a reach in- as- much- as the County Attorney seemed to be the main cheerleader for the proposal, having his tacit approval.

Hamilton had set the bear trap and this County Councils balls were the target. No big balls here, they all seemed to disappear, sucked up into the guts of those who for such a long time had thwarted progress through manipulation and greed.

Councilman Davis finally took the initiative, asking the chair for the right to speak. “This is all well and good,” he said, “And while I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, I am also reminded that another big horse bearing gifts turned into a fiasco for a community much like ours centuries ago.”

He looked around at his cronies, now they seemed puffed up and their balls had fallen back from that place where they recede on gutless wonders.

“In deference to our learned visitor making this generous offer to our community and out of deep respect to our own County Attorney who has admirably researched this proposal, I am non- the- less concerned that we may be legally at risk by not putting this project out for bid as prescribed by the law.”

Brilliant, his fellow members of the council smiled. Just what the doctor ordered, time to figure out how to regain the upper hand and reclaim our rights to the political spoils…the right to name the engineers and the construction company. Councilman Agino gave Davis the thumb up, using the middle finger for emphasis… mopped his brow and thought smugly to himself, “Great, we don’t give a good fuck about this plant, lets save the goodies!”

Pearlman stood, as though he were addressing the jury in the final salvo of a prosecutor asking for the death sentence for a corrupt system, a system mirrored throughout his state and the country. “I understand your concern and your obligation as elected officials performing your fiduciary responsibility on behalf of Lake County. We have thoroughly researched the law, Councilman, and in a very seldom-used practice at our firm, we have issued a Legal Opinion to our client which says that we have assumed the legal responsibility for this proposal. It clearly underlines the existing law and your responsibility. It is definitively within your pervue, under the statute, creating the Industrial Development Authority to approve this offer and issue the Revenue Bonds for the project. Your County Attorney has advised you as well as to the legal right of this Council to act. He has suggested as a final voice to the issue that he request an opinion of the Attorney General as to its legality, and I would concur with the recommendation of your County Attorney.”

Pearlman made Seeling the local legal authority and hero. Making professional points not lost on Seeling or the county council.

“Smooth son of a bitch!” thought Davis, remembering his aunt’s admonition to his sister, “Marry a Jew…or at least a man with a deli!”

“One last question of Mr. Pearlman,” Davis injected, “Are you able to share with us the names of any other counties which have this proposal before them, or if you intend to make additional presentations?”

Pearlman responded, “I am not at liberty to say specifically, but I think it would be prudent for my client to have other alternatives, and to that end I remind you all that this proposal and its attendant Letter of Credit is good for a period of ten days from this date”.

“And Councilor, may I ask if your client is open,” he stammered, “that is to say, you know, open to negotiate the issue of the selection process for the professionals to be employed to perform each of the tasks on this project”?

There it was! Pearlman thought. Took enough time to expose the real issue, you slime- ball.

“I understand your question, sir”, Pearlman responded. “Permit me to answer respectfully by saying that this proposal is wholly dependent upon the management teams proper assembly of professionals, in which they have the confidence they will be able to meet the goals… deadlines, budgets, quality under the correct business climate necessary to produce a facility which will serve the needs of this community for many years to come” he paused, “To be clear, sir, there is no room for negotiations on the selection of those entities. This is a package, but again, I say respectfully that each entity will be open for review and professional oversight by this council as to their legal status and qualification to perform the job”.

Pearlman was confident as he left the meeting that he had fairly represented his client, and in the best interest of the community and the state. Outside the county building, he removed an expensive Havana, clipped the tip, and slowly lit the cigar. He would savor this treat on his return to the office in Indianapolis. But when he got to his car, all four tires had been slashed. Welcome to Lake County, he thought. The war had been joined!

The day after his return from Lake County, Pearlman had lunch with Hamilton at the old Republican Club across from the Federal Building on Meridian Street, the very place where many of its infamous members had been indicted! Down the street there was an equally impressive club for the democrats whose membership contained the names of individuals whose taste ran to horizontal striped suits as well. He went over each detail of the meeting with the county council and discussed the major obstacles to the contract. A call had been made to Pearlman’s office, a rather urgent from the Attorney General’s office. The caller was informed that Pearlman was away for a luncheon meeting. The caller implored the receptionist to understand that he too was supposed to be at this meeting and had not received the message as to where it was being held. In the absence of anyone to take the call, she informed the caller that he was at the Republican Club. He wasn’t invited but at a distance within earshot the anonymous caller participated nonetheless.

“You were correct, Thad,” Pearlman stated, “The only issue standing in the way of this transaction is the selection process of the engineer and construction company. Your proposal has dried up the political sewage in the hopes of solving the human waste problem. They are seething, cunning and I believe potentially dangerous!”

He told Thad of the tire-slashing incident “No accident, a warning”.

Nearby a lone dinner ate and listened for any information.

“Look Michael,” Hamilton said, “We can’t have you at risk for this business.”

Hamilton waited, measuring the heart of his attorney!

“It takes more than a slashed tire for this Brooklyn boy, and lawyers are famous for taking the heat; we love the kitchen!” he said

The lone dinner thought, “We’ll burn yours down you Hymie prick”.

“We have drawn the line in the sand, and it is the right thing to do, but we are not above making political contributions, Michael, as long as they are not onerous or illegal!” Thad told him.

The lone dinner, scribbled the word, onerous as best he could. Was it like fiduciary?

Pearlman went on, “Surely you understand that political extortion is a way of life in these counties, and most especially Lake County. Remember, all the real crooks fled Gary in the 60’s with the white flight. These are the heir apparent to guys who bury their victims in waste dumps, under run- ways, or just anchor them to the bottom of Lake Michigan where the catfish make quick work of their bodies.”

“They don’t bother me. They’re the nickel and dimmers seeking a spot in the penny ante game. My concern is not the under card, but the main event, the heavyweights who make their home across the street from your office, Michael, they are the operatives that do concern me!” Hamilton said.

The lone dinner made a note!

Pearlman sat his fork down, politely wiped his mouth with the impeccably pressed napkins with the logo of the Republican Party. He glanced around the room at all those muscle marked up captains of industry, power- lunching on the morsels of economic delight.

The lone dinner was gone!

Pearlman said, “We wait for the thrust, my friend!”

It wasn’t long in coming. Thad’s private unlisted phone rang about 11:15 pm. Thad reached for the phone and glanced at Eleanor. She didn’t move.

He listened as the caller had asked him to do. The caller told Hamilton factiously that he too had to remain anonymous, just as Pearlman had requested. Thad tried to interrupt.

“Listen smart-ass, you and that tight ass lawyer got one chance, and only one chance to wise up. We saw you and your shyster lawyer at lunch. We know all about Mid-West Engineers, and your children’s school. You’re fond of those kids, aren’t you?”

Now Thad was frightened, at the mention of his kids, and he got very angry!

“Wait a minute, you bas…” Thad tried to get into the discussion, but the caller cut him short.

“You don’t make the ‘A’ team without practice and sweat on the balls. Get me? This ingenious little plan you and your wise guys have developed will work under only one scenario. You be in the Capitol rotunda at noon tomorrow, wise guy, and you’ll get the recipe!”

“But how will I know…”? Thad asked.

“We know you, dickhead!”

The dial tone lasted until the recorded operator said, “If you wish to make a call, hang up…”

Thad complied.

Thad immediately called the partners and Michael Pearlman to inform them of the call and the impending rendezvous at the Capitol. A meeting was arranged at Pearlman’s office at 7:30 am.

Eleanor, awaken by the call, brought Thad a glass of sherry. She thought he needed some color. He would need more than sherry Thad thought; maybe he should dust off the Smith & Wesson! But at that hour, sweet Eleanor had other ideas, she brushed off Erectus and he rose to the occasion.

“Do you remember when we were in West Palm Beach last February Thad?”

She inquired.

“Yes, wasn’t that when you were just so horney, I thought I would have to call in the recruits’” he laughed.

“Thad…my darling, my sweetheart, my main man, my only squeeze…this language of yours is the only flaw in your beautiful armor. I am praying that it is not genetic. I am a lot of things but I am not ever in horney, in heat, in ache…I am in fact, madly in love with you and blessed that you happened into my life.

“I was so turned on when we made love on the beach…by the pier,” she said.

“Something about doing it in public…there against the backdrop of raw nature…the waves pounding…my heart keeping time…your sweet breath on my cliterous…I was driven wild by just the thought of you…I could have climaxed with you across the street…but you are maddening…you wicked man…you know that?” she cooed.

What a woman…just what the doctor ordered. She sensed a moment of need in this man she adored and filled it with an emotion unique to the species. They made love and Hamilton forgot about the call…later they slept like babies cradled in the arms of warmth and love.

At the early morning meeting which had been arranged after the call, Thad informed all of each detail of the phone conversation: its ugly, threatening mood, coupled with the Pearlman’s tire-slashing episode at Lake County gave pause to all and the opportunity to discover something of the character and intent of the partners. Regardless of all its implications for the community, it was obvious that the politicians were not going to let go of the spoils without a major fight, and everyone within earshot of Lake County knew most political fights produce casualties. Arms are broken, reputations are ruined but the politicians make appropriate excuses and they rarely lose when it comes to the exchange of cash.

Dr. Belini was in favor of forgetting about the deal. His position could have been expected. He was a tenured professor and mentor of Prolano, now on sabbatical with every intention to return to teaching. A brilliant and respected academian, who had stepped outside the embryonic environment of the university at the insistence of Prolano. The opportunity, he had envisioned, for his dear friend to put classroom theory into practice in the field… and, at the very least provide the laboratory for revealing research on the real world which could be translated into a published work. Satisfying forever the requirement, albeit understated…that a professor must publish or perish!

“Don’t get me wrong, I think what has been devised is brilliant and the most practical application for a quasi-business/government relationship for the ultimate good of the community, but maybe we should try it in a county less well-known for violence… nothing is worth these kinds of criminalistic threats!” he said.

Prolano was less inclined to let go.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime; it’s a brilliant plan for our careers, the community and the state. Surely, there is some way we can make it less difficult for the ward pros and political bosses to accept.”

“Are you willing to take a chance with the County Council naming the construction component or the plant’s management team?” Pearlman inquired of no one in particular.

“I’d be happy if we could salvage what we have been licensed to do, and has been our professional goal…doing the engineering,” Prolano said.

“Prolano and I”…Belini coughed, emotionally charged, finding difficulty speaking, “and I would as well…you know Thad and Mr. Pearlman, we are both so very grateful for your effort…this beautiful concept and project opportunity…but we are just engineers” Belini added.

“Guys, be serious,” Thad said as he got up and began pacing the floor. “You know the history in Lake County; all the construction up there is a piece of shit because the job is bid and the contractors take away the cost of the graft right off the top of the project, the profit they want to make comes out next, the balance goes to overhead and cost of construction. And then they cut corners where they can’t be seen. The problem for us, is this project, as envisioned, will have our name on it, from top to bottom. If the project doesn’t come in as designed and there is a failure, the customers stop paying, the investors who purchased the bonds don’t get paid, and there is a foreclosure. Guess who eats the loss? I say if you… we, are going to do business in Lake County we must control the project or lose our destiny, our business, and our reputation. I think it is too much to risk…I could not be more emphatic on this point, but I am in a minority position here…and I must add, not an engineer…moreover, when Prolano came to me with the opportunity to start something that we could all take pride in and build for the future…I must confess that at times I have felt as though I was a free loader…with the two of you doing all the work…what I contributed, the money, the building…trite in my mind, but now…this is different…this is truly historic…I see my role here and I must lean on the two of you to tuff this out…you will not be sorry that you did!” Hamilton said.

“Thad, please don’t downplay the significance and/or your role in the development of this company…it has been most important and Dr. Belini and I have the utmost confidence and faith in you…we are in this together…and we are in for the long term” Prolano said

“What do you think, Mr. Pearlman?” Belini asked.

“I tend to agree with Thad, but I am sorry to say I have no solution short of giving up the selection process. I do have a call from the Attorney General’s office to return this morning and one from the council to the Governor; but whatever you decide, remember the clock is ticking.”

“My God!” Dr. Belini said, slumping into the sofa, “I’m beginning to feel like Custer at the Little Big Horn, they are circling the wagons, and have brought in the heavy artillery!”

“I’ll go to the noon session and touch base with all of you this afternoon,” Thad said.

As the others walked on toward the lobby, Pearlman took Thad’s arm. “These are tough guys, they will not be bluffing, and perhaps you should take one of our private detectives just to be near-by?”

“Good idea, Michael, I believe Eleanor would agree to that as well!”

“Good, I’ll have John Wayne contact you before the meeting on your office phone. He’s an ex-cop, knows the business, and you can trust him.”

Hamilton felt the handshake was more than cursory business; it was like those he’d felt in Vietnam. Thad’s attorney had become his trench buddy.