“Well, son, it’s a little more complicated than you think, and there are a few things your mother and I haven’t told you kids.”
He clearly wanted to ask for more details, but our conversation was interrupted by a reggae-style ringtone. He glanced down at his phone, then raised his wrist to check his watch. “It’s my guys driving the truck with those Bentleys we won at auction. I told them to check in before they went to bed.”
“Go ahead and answer it. We’ll talk when you finish.” I stepped away from him, gathering my composure as he took the phone call. I can’t say I didn’t understand my kids’ confusion. This whole thing would have been a lot easier if Vegas were here. I wouldn’t have even had to make an announcement. Chippy and I could have just slipped off to Florida, because it would have been understood that Vegas was in charge.
My own cell phone began to vibrate. I smiled when I saw the overseas phone number. “Hello?”
“Mr. Duncan, this is Lee Sumyo. I’m sorry to call so late.” Lee handled most of our business in Japan and the Far East. He’d been my connection in Asia for almost twenty years.
“No problem, Lee. How you doing? We’re looking forward to that shipment you’re sending us next week. I have a customer who has prepaid for that fully loaded Lexus LFA you promised us.”
“Mr. Duncan, that is why I am calling.” I didn’t like the sound of that. “There is not going to be a shipment next week.” Suddenly my knees got weak.
“Excuse me? Lee, we’ve already paid for that shipment. I’ve got customers lined up. I’ve made commitments.”
“I know, Mr. Duncan. I am very sorry, and I can assure you your money will be returned via wire in the morning.”
“I don’t want my money back, Lee. I want my cars. I want that LFA.” I usually tried to handle Lee with a little more finesse, but this called for the direct approach. He needed to know how important that shipment was to my business.
“Mr. Duncan, there is nothing I can do. It is above my head.”
“Above your head? Was it above your head when we stopped dealing with Detroit and went with you exclusively back in ninety-one? I burned a lot of bridges to deal with you and your people, Lee. I expect some loyalty.”
“I know this, Mr. Duncan, but many things have changed since the tsunami and earthquake. I am truly sorry.” He sounded sincere in his apology, so I tried to calm down, but that didn’t mean I was willing to accept what he was telling me.
“Lee, I need that shipment. Without it I might as well go out of business.”
“I understand. Perhaps you can speak with another distributor.”
I could detect something in Lee’s tone, as if he already knew that speaking with another distributor would be useless. It was starting to feel like the rumors were true. Someone was trying to destroy my relationship with my overseas distributors.
“Lee, my friend, I must ask you a question.”
“Certainly. Please ask me anything.”
“Am I being blackballed? Is someone trying to take my franchise with you?”
There was hesitance on the line, and that gave me the answer I sought.
Finally, Lee admitted, “Mr. Duncan, I am not sure what is going on, but it is bigger than both of us, and they are using the tsunami and earthquake to their advantage. I was lucky to get you your last shipment. Things are very difficult here, and there is much bureaucracy and government intervention when it comes to your name. Someone is throwing a lot of money around. So, while I cannot say for sure, you may be right.”
“I thank you for your honesty, my friend. One more question. Who is throwing all this money around?”
“I am not sure, but the first place I would look is to your west.”
“Yes, I think you may be right.” I sighed. “Lee, it’s been a pleasure working with you. I hope this will not be the last time we do business.”
“Yes, I feel this way also. May I make a suggestion that may help you?”
“Please.”
“If I were you, Mr. Duncan, I would watch my back.”