CHAPTER 8
To avoid the parties being seen together in a
#public restaurant, the luncheon ######183
meeting was held in a private dining room on the thirty-first floor of WorldView Center. The paneled room was discreetly and expensively furnished. The hand-woven carpet was thick and sound-absorbing, the floral arrangements were elaborate and still dewy, the lighting was indirect and subdued. To add to the dignified ambience, heavy draperies had been drawn across the expansive windows, which ordinarily would have provided a magnificent view of the Midtown skyline.
The host, seated at the head of the dining table, asked politely, "More coffee, Nadia? Mr.
Reed?"
Nadia Schuller indicated to the white-gloved waiter that she would like her cup refilled. Noah declined. They had dined on vichyssoise, lobster salad, and marinated asparagus.
Strawberries Romanoff and selected
chocolates had been served for dessert.
Noah thanked their host for the sumptuous meal.
"It was excellent."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Morris Blume thanked and then dismissed the servers.
As Nadia idly stirred cream into her
coffee, Noah exchanged a look with her that said social hour was over and business was about to commence.
In addition to Morris Blume, five other representatives from WorldView were seated around the table. Six months earlier, Nadia had
arranged an introductory meeting between Blume and Noah. Blume hadn't been coy at that initial meeting. Rather, he had stated plainly that he wished to acquire Matherly Press for WorldView.
Immediately upon adjournment of that meeting, his corporate lawyers had begun working feverishly on an acquisition proposal. After months of researching and analyzing, drafting flow charts, drawing market-share graphs, and making projections, the final rendition had been delivered to Noah in an enormous three-ring binder. This meeting was for the purpose of hearing his response to it.
"You've had a month to study our syllabus, Mr. Reed," Blume said. "I'm eager to hear your impressions."
Morris Blume was whipcord thin and
strikingly pale, a feature emphasized by his
#prematurely bald head. A rim of ###185
sparse hair continued to grow from his scalp, but he shaved it every morning, which left a gray shadow beneath his shiny dome. He wore eyeglasses with silver wire frames and always dressed in conservative gray. The man seemed to have an innate aversion to color.
He had been at the helm of the international media conglomerate since his hostile takeover four years ago. Only thirty-six at the time, he had ruthlessly ousted his predecessor along with anyone on the board of directors who adhered to what Blume termed "archaic and unenlightened mindsets."
Under his leadership, WV, as it was
affectionately known on the stock exchange, had expanded from its base entertainment and broadcast entities into Internet commerce, satellite communications, and fiber-optics technology.
Blume had catapulted WorldView into the twenty-first century, increasing its worth from a mere billion dollars to nearly sixty
billion in only forty-eight months.
Stockholders easily forgave his brash methods of doing business.
So what did a mammoth like WorldView want with a gnat like Matherly Press?
That was the question Noah now posed to Blume.
"Because it's there?" the pale CEO glibly replied. Everyone at the table laughed, including Noah. He could appreciate the son of a bitch's arrogance because he was an arrogant son of a bitch himself.
"You've already acquired a publishing house in the U.K.," Noah pointed out. "The ink is barely dry on that contract."
"True." Blume nodded solemnly.
"PlattstPowers will be a good investment for us. Their magazine division is the strongest in the British Isles. They distribute everything from a well-respected world news weekly to the sleaziest of sleazy porno." He gave Nadia a smile that was disturbingly reptilian.
"I assure you, Nadia, that I'm far more familiar with the former than the latter."
She looked at Blume over the rim of the china cup as she took a sip of coffee. "How disappointing."
Blume let the resultant laughter wane before he resumed. "PlattstPowers had twelve
#bestsellers in hardcover last year." ####187
"Thirteen," one of the bean counters at the table supplied.
"More than that in paperback," Blume continued.
"As part of WorldView, it will dominate the bestseller lists this year. We've got the know-how and the budget to make that happen."
"I've already interviewed two writers whom you pirated from their former publishers," Nadia remarked. "They're very excited about your marketing strategies, particularly the ones that will give them greater exposure here in the States."
"We utilize our media resources,"
Blume explained. "All of them. They are vast and unmatchable."
He folded his bloodless hands together on the table and assumed an earnest demeanor. Focusing on Noah, he said, "By buying PlattstPowers, WorldView acquired a healthy publishing house.
But the U.K. market is smaller than the American market. Significantly so. We want one on this side of the pond. We want Matherly Press.
"You publish books with mass appeal.
Moneymakers, if you will. But you also publish literary works. Without question yours is a profitable house. It's also a venerable publishing institution.
It has a cachet of respectability. We'd like that for our little company."
The fatuous understatement elicited a twitter from the WV group, but Noah let it pass without even a smile. Blume seemed to take that as a sign that he should stop and let the other side talk for a while.
"I've studied the proposal thoroughly,"
Noah began. "You did your homework. The research was impressive. The projections are exciting but within the realm of achievability."
"This is sounding very good," Blume said, throwing grins all around.
Noah held up a cautionary hand. "However, before we move forward, there are a couple of points that must be addressed."
"That's the purpose of this meeting."
"First, what about antitrust laws? Are you going to be in violation? I don't want to become embroiled in a protracted legal dispute with the federal government."
"I assure you that we don't, either, and we've taken every precaution to avoid it."
###One of the lawyers was given the floor ###189
to explain why the probability of that happening was slim. Noah asked several questions, which he didn't allow to be dismissed with legal double-talk. He kept at the counsel until his concerns were addressed and given the attention they deserved.
"Good," Blume said when explanations had been provided to Noah's satisfaction. "What's your second point?"
Noah plucked an invisible piece of lint off the sleeve of his suit jacket, then looked over at Blume and said blandly, "Matherly Press isn't for sale."
"To which he said?" Daniel Matherly asked.
"Nothing that bears repeating," his son-in-law replied.
"Something about stubborn old men who refuse to see the light, I'd bet."
"Nothing that blatant, but definitely along those lines."
They were having drinks together in Daniel's home study. Maxine had poured them the first round.
"One is his limit. He can't have another," she told Noah before leaving them.
"I'll see that he doesn't," he called after her as she left the room. But a conspiratorial wink at Daniel nullified his promise to the housekeeper.
Now, a half hour later, they were enjoying their second round. "Fetch me my pipe, will you, please?"
Noah retrieved Daniel's pipe from where he'd left it on the desk. He delivered it and a tobacco pouch to the large leather wing chair where Daniel sat with his feet propped on an ottoman. Methodically he packed his pipe and put a match to it.
"If Maxine smells that smoke--was
"I'll claim it was you who was smoking." He exhaled a plume of smoke toward the ceiling.
Thoughtfully, his eyes remained fixed on the crown molding. "The mongrels are closing in on us, Noah. They're mean and they have sharp teeth."
Noah sipped his scotch. "WorldView?" He made a negligent gesture. "I don't know how I could have stated it any more plainly.
Matherly Press isn't for sale."
"They'll persist. Particularly that Blume
#bastard." ##########################191
"It's said he pisses ice cubes."
Daniel chuckled. "I don't doubt it."
He puffed on his pipe for a moment. "Even if Morris Blume falls by the wayside or
gives up and goes away, another mongrel, even meaner than he, won't be far behind."
"Let them come. We can stave them off."
Daniel smiled at his son-in-law's
confidence. Everyone in the industry had become acquainted with Noah Reed a decade ago following the publication of _The _Vanquished. The novel, set during the Reconstruction, had taken the nation by storm. There wasn't a publisher in New York who hadn't wished he'd been lucky enough to nab it, Daniel Matherly included.
But to everyone's surprise, and his new fans'
dismay, Noah's ambitions lay not in writing, but in publishing. He had followed every step of the publishing process on _The _Vanquished and had derived more enjoyment out of that than he had from writing the novel.
He was an engaging young man with superior intelligence and razor-sharp instincts. Some of his ideas on how best to market his book had been implemented by his publisher, and they had worked. The house reasoned that Noah would be equally successful publishing other books and had hired him.
The junior editor had quickly proved his mettle. During his first year, he acquired an obscure manuscript from an unknown author, who became a bestseller with that first novel and remained one to this day.
Noah had been a quick study editorially, but the business side of the industry was where he truly distinguished himself. His inventive marketing strategies were so successful that they were blatantly copied by other publishers.
He was a fearless negotiator, whom literary agents admired but dreaded facing across the bargaining table. He was a born leader. Once, on the eve of a labor strike, he had traveled to a printing company in Pennsylvania to personally appeal to the disgruntled workers. Acting as a mediator between them and plant management, he helped settle the dispute, quelled the strike, and prevented an industry crisis.
Noah Reed was bright, ambitious, even
#shrewd. Daniel had been rightly #######193
accused of being shrewd himself, so he didn't regard it a derogatory term. So when, to Daniel's surprise, Noah had come to him three years ago, covertly expressing his unhappiness with the limits placed upon him by his present employer and boldly stating his desire to make a move, Daniel had listened with interest. Noah's ideas were innovative but didn't conflict with the ideals on which Daniel's ancestors had founded Matherly Press.
Indeed, Noah shared them.
Additionally, Noah had appealed to Daniel's vanity, though he would never admit it. The younger man had reminded him of himself when he'd been that age--aggressive, determined, confident to the point of conceit, which Daniel also regarded more a virtue than a vice.
Daniel told Noah he would need a few
days to think it over. He was reluctant to bring in someone who wasn't family and install him in a position of authority. On the other hand, the business had expanded to the point where he and Maris needed another pair of hands at the helm.
For Maris's part, she was positively giddy over the possibility of working daily with the author of her favorite book. Though she'd met Noah only once, at a literary function, she held him in high esteem and had harbored a secret romantic crush on him for years.
With her urging, Daniel created the job of vice president of business affairs for Noah.
He'd never regretted that decision.
"You still agree with it, don't you?" Daniel asked him now.
"With what?"
"The company philosophy."
He gave his father-in-law a retiring look.
"From the beginning of our association, I've known how you felt about mergers, Daniel. Unquestionably there would be benefits. We would have more funds at our disposal, more venues for marketing and promotion."
"But we'd no longer be autonomous."
"Which was the point I was about to make," Noah said. "Autonomy was the basis on which Matherly Press was founded. I knew the family mantra even before I married into it."
When Maris began seeing Noah outside the office, Daniel had nursed some reservations.
#He had been concerned on several ########195
levels. First, their ten-year age difference bothered him, but not overly so. Second, Noah's business acumen wasn't the only thing on which he'd built a solid reputation. It was rumored that he was a notorious womanizer. With so many rumors circulating for that many years, Daniel had to believe there was some basis for them.
His greatest concern, however, was Noah's personal agenda. By marrying the last eligible Matherly, his career would receive a distinct boost.
Of course, when it came right down to it, it wasn't Daniel's decision to make. It was his daughter's, and Maris wanted Noah for her husband. Because of her mother's untimely death, she had always been mature beyond her years. Necessity had forced her to grow up quickly. She had begun forming her own opinions and making her own decisions at an early age. He had reared her to think for herself and to trust her instincts. It would have been wrong of him to second-guess her choice of a life partner.
To his credit, Noah had, without Maris's knowledge, approached his future father-in-law and told him that if he entertained any doubts regarding the marriage, it would never take place. He loved Maris to distraction, he had said, but he would walk away, forsake his position at Matherly Press, and disappear from her life unless Daniel could give his wholehearted approval of the union.
Daniel had given the couple his blessing, but, where Maris's happiness was concerned, he remained a vigilant watchdog. Yesterday, she had been a bit downcast, although the surprise party was a logical explanation for Noah's recent inattention.
Maris didn't talk about it, but Daniel also sensed that she was ready for children and was slightly disappointed that she hadn't become pregnant. It was too early to worry unnecessarily about that.
Maris was still young. Noah had expressed a desire for children on numerous occasions. There was plenty of time for them to have a family.
Selfishly, Daniel wished for grandchildren soon. He would enjoy bouncing the next generation on his knee before he checked out.
Thinking of his daughter now, he asked, "Have you heard from Maris?"
"Not since she left this morning." Noah
#checked his wristwatch. "She should be there ###197
by now. It was a long way to travel and I'm afraid it will turn out to be a bust."
"Hopefully not. She seems very excited about this writer. Speaking of which, she told me about her present."
"Present?"
"Last night."
"Oh." Noah smiled with chagrin. "She's awfully easy to please, isn't she?"
"Your writer's cell is no small thing to her, Noah. She called from the airport this morning just prior to boarding her flight. If you'd given her a diamond ring, she couldn't have been happier. She's always wanted you to resume writing."
Noah frowned. "I hope she doesn't expect too much from me. I'll probably disappoint her."
"Your effort alone will make her happy."
"I'd like to get in a few hours of effort tonight." Noah set his empty tumbler on the end table and stood up.
"Stay and have dinner with me. We'll play chess afterward."
"Tempting, Daniel. But I should use this time that Maris is away to crank out a few pages.
There's only one way to write, and that's to write," he said with a smile. "Can I refresh your drink before I go?"
"Thanks, no. Maxine will be measuring the amount left in the decanter as it is."
"Then I for sure want to clear out before the fireworks start." Noah pulled on his suit jacket and retrieved his briefcase. "Anything else I can do for you?"
"As a matter of fact, there is," Daniel said. "The next time someone approaches you with an offer to buy my publishing house, tell him to fuck off."
Noah laughed. "Shall I quote you?"
"Absolutely. In fact, I would prefer it."
Two vodka martinis hadn't dulled the edges of Nadia's nerves. They seemed to be on red alert and had been since Noah had recounted for her his conversation with Daniel.
For half an hour she'd been pacing the hardwood floor of her Chelsea apartment, which was
#used strictly for romantic trysts. ####199
The apartment she owned in Trump Tower was her official address. Not even her accountant knew about this apartment.
"No matter how blasé he seems, I don't trust the old codger," she said. "How do you know he can't see through your act?"
"Because he isn't looking." Noah's voice conveyed his impatience.
"I don't mean to question your perception, Noah."
"Don't you?"
"No. I'm just afraid that something might go wrong. I want this deal so badly for you."
"I want it for _us."
Her anxiety dissolving, she stopped pacing and moved to where he stood. Coming close, she rested her hands on his shoulders. "Damn you," she said softly. "By saying that, you've completely disarmed me."
Their kiss was passionate and deep. She unbuttoned his shirt and slipped her hand inside.
When they pulled apart, she continued to tweak his chest hairs. "It's just that Daniel Matherly has been overseeing that publishing house for ... how long?"
"He's seventy-eight. His father died when he was twenty-nine. Daniel's been in control since then."
"So almost fifty years."
"I can subtract, Nadia."
"All I'm saying is this: He hasn't made himself into a living legend by being a dimwit.
He didn't become successful by misreading people.
He's smart. He's savvy. He's--was
"Not as sharp as he used to be."
"Maybe. Or maybe he just wants you to think so."
Noah disliked being second-guessed and resented even a hint of criticism. Pushing her away, he moved into the kitchen, where he refilled his highball glass with ice cubes and splashed scotch over them. "I think I know my father-in-law at least as well as you do, Nadia."
"I'm sure--was
"If you were sure of me, you wouldn't be nagging me about this." He treated his drink like a shot, then set his glass on the countertop and took a moment to contain his temper before turning back to her. "Your
#job is to keep Blume and company ######201
pacified and reassured."
"I'm having dinner with Morris tomorrow night.
The Rainbow Room."
"Good. Be a knockout. Eat, drink, and dance. Blow in his ear. Keep him happy. Let me handle the Matherlys. I've been handling them quite well for three years. I know how they think.
I know how they react to given situations. This must be carried out with extreme delicacy. It can't be rushed or the whole thing could blow up in our faces."
His timetable had been in place for years. Now that the finish line was in sight, he wasn't going to sacrifice all his careful planning and strategizing to recklessness. By doing it his way on his schedule, everything had gone according to plan.
The first step had been accomplished when Daniel Matherly hired him. By toeing the company line, he had earned the old man's trust. A major hurdle had been cleared when he married Maris, further solidifying his position. Then, when the time was right, he had subtly, through Nadia, telegraphed to Blume his interest in a merger. Blume was still working under the misconception that the idea had originally been his. Not at all. WorldView had been in Noah's game plan from the start.
Up to this point everything had been done Noah Reed's way, the only way that Noah Reed would have it. He wasn't going to screw himself now by rushing toward a quick finish.
"I don't know why you're being testy with me,"
Nadia said. "Morris issued the deadline today, not I."
That had been the one crimp in Noah's plan that he hadn't seen coming, and the reason for his querulousness tonight. Throughout his cocktail hour with Daniel, he'd been only half listening to the old man's rambling speech. Instead he'd been remembering Blume, with his lizardlike smile, imposing on him a two-week deadline to either fish or cut bait.
Blume had reminded Noah that he had been extended ample time in which to review the proposal, that either he was interested enough to move forward and make this deal happen or he wasn't.
Noah had reminded him that his father-in-law wasn't a minor stumbling block but a major obstacle. "Daniel has stated unequivocally
#that his company is not for sale." ##########203
"Then you must take bold steps to see that he changes his mind, mustn't you?"
Blume concluded the meeting by reminding Noah that there were other publishing companies, almost as prestigious as Matherly Press, that would leap at the chance of becoming part of WorldView.
The hell of it was, Noah knew that
Blume's threat was viable. Many smaller publishing houses were hanging on by a thread. They couldn't compete with the distribution capabilities and robust publicity budgets of media giants.
They would welcome the financial relief and stability that WorldView would bring to them. Unlike Daniel, their primary concern was survival by any means possible, and to hell with sentiment.
There wasn't a sentimental bone in Noah's body, but he was well acquainted with Daniel's fanatical adherence to tradition and his family's history. The old man wasn't going to let go easily. It was an intricate complication that seemed beyond Blume's understanding.
"I'm well aware of Blume's deadline,"
Noah told Nadia now. "I'll see that it's met."
"What about Maris?"
"She's busy in Florida."
"Georgia."
"What?"
"You told me she went to Georgia."
"Whatever. I'm going to chip away at Daniel while she's gone. I began tonight by pointing out the advantages of Blume's offer."
"What happens when Maris gets back?"
"She'll go the way Daniel goes."
"That wasn't what I was talking about."
__I should be so _lucky. Sighing wearily, Noah closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Jesus, he didn't need a discussion of this right now. He had enough to deal with.
"I know what you were talking about, Nadia."
Lowering his hand and opening his eyes, he looked at her. "Think about it. Does it make sense for me to ask Maris for a divorce now? No. I can't do that until I have that WorldView contract signed, sealed, and delivered."
He expelled a breath of exasperation. "Do you think I've enjoyed being married to her? Do you think I've liked kissing Daniel's ass all these years?"
###"That's a revolting thought." ##########205
"Isn't it? So imagine it from my perspective." He hoped the remark might cause her to smile; it didn't.
"And Maris?" she asked. "Will you miss kissing her ass?"
He gave a dry laugh. "I won't miss my wife, but I'll regret losing a good editor. However, with the operating budget Blume has promised me, I'll be able to hire three of her. Five of her. And even if none prove to be as good as she, I'll have my ten million to console me."
She held his gaze for a moment, her expression turning sulky. "You really don't mind my blowing in Morris Blume's ear?"
"Figure of speech."
"So what you said earlier ..."
"About?"
"About your wanting this deal for _us. Did you mean it?"
By way of answer, he pulled her against him and kissed her.
She finished unbuttoning his shirt, then spread it open and put tongue to nipple, flicking it lightly. "You did?"
"Right now I'd swear to anything."
Laughing huskily, she stroked him through his trousers. "I don't like sharing you with Maris.
I'm impatient to have this all to myself."
"I'm rather impatient myself." He unzipped his trousers and pushed down his shorts. Nadia dropped to her knees and nuzzled him. She traced the length of his erection with her tongue before taking him into her mouth. Noah grunted with satisfaction.
"You stick to doing what you do best, Nadia, and leave the problem of the Matherlys to me."