His tone was clipped, and I wondered if he’d already gotten wind of my intentions. Only my father could have warned him, and I’m not sure he would have the balls to throw hindrances in my way after everything I was sacrificing.
Either way, this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation. I grabbed some papers from my office and followed him into the private room, shutting the door behind us. Outside of my father’s assistant, Adriana, we were alone in the office, but I didn’t trust anyone with ears around this negotiation.
Reilly had chosen the seat at the head of the table—a clever move to assert his waning power in the company. Too bad I’d be the new CEO in a few minutes. I took the adjacent chair and pushed a few loose papers in front of him.
“As discussed, these are the documents to register the updated corporate filings listing me as the new CEO. They’re fairly straightforward, but feel free to have your attorney review.”
He picked the papers up, scanning the routine language that would strip him from his position. “Looks like everything is in order.”
I pushed a pen toward him, which he used to scribble his signature on the appropriate lines. He dropped it back on the table and looked up at me, folding his hands in his lap.
“So how are things going?”
I tilted my head. “I have my work cut out for me. The investors aren’t too happy.”
“I understand.” His voice was totally detached, as if he’d had no part in creating the challenges I now faced.
“I’m not sure that you do.” I leaned back in my chair and traced the sharp lacquered edge of the table. “I have a lot of trust to earn back. No one wants to invest with a company tainted by partners accused of fraud.”
His lips pulled back into a dark grin. “Allegations. Nothing’s been proven.”
“The indictment going public means you’re guilty. Because if you get off, it’s because you’re a white-collar criminal and the judge feels sorry for you, not because anyone believes you’re innocent.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I want you to relinquish your stake in the company.”
His careful demeanor broke with a laugh. He wiped at his eye with an arrogant smile. “That’s rich.”
“No, but our clients are. And no one wants their money tied to a crook.”
“You know your father’s hands aren’t clean here. Why aren’t you asking for his shares?”
“I don’t deny he’s as much to blame for the failed reputation of the company.”
“Then why me? I brought in most of these investors. I have a stake in this. I’m not going to just hand it over.”
“That’s exactly why you should. They fucking hate you right now. If you’ve got any money left over after the restitution and your very pissed off ex-wife wipe you out, you can invest it with me and we’ll give you a competitive rate. That can be your consolation prize.”
His smile disappeared and he narrowed his eyes. “You can go to hell.”
I leaned in. “Listen, fifty percent of nothing is nothing. Relationships are tenuous. I figure best-case scenario, we’ll lose at least half the investors whether you’re found guilty or not. They’re not going to wait around to see what happens in court. They’re going to wait out the lock-up period, and then they’ll walk. Worst-case scenario, I walk and you lose the rest of them. Then this company will be worth nothing.”
He was silent a moment, and I knew I was gaining ground.
“You fucked up, Reilly, and someone has to pay. Sign over your shares, or good luck finding someone else who’s willing to put their reputation on the line to repair the damage you did.”
He held me in a cool assessing stare. “I’m willing to walk away as a silent partner. You’re Bill’s son. I trust you to run the company as you see fit.”
I shook my head. “If your name is anywhere on this thing, it’s over. I’m already working with a handicap. Representing your name and interests in any capacity becomes me sacrificing my reputation and time for certain failure.”
“What you’re proposing, it’s a lose-lose for me.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Guys like you can’t seem to see any farther than your nose. Ever think about doing the right thing today and hoping it might pay off tomorrow?”
I knew Reilly wouldn’t leave without taking something with him, but by offering him nothing, I wasn’t giving him the benefit of a favorable starting position. Still, I’d have to bend at some point. I half expected him to double over with laughter at my proposition, but he simply stared, his discontent obvious from his stiff posture and lingering grimace.
“You seem to have a good-hearted nature, Will. But that’s not what makes me money and secures a future.”
“Your attitude has you facing jail time, so maybe that’ll give you a minute to think about the difference between right and wrong.”