Enemy In the Room by Parker Hudson Read Free Book Online Page B

to Minneapolis that afternoon, and have dinner with you and
Gillespie. We’ll spend the night and see the other project in the
morning. How does that sound?”
    “Except for imagining you in that other
project, it should be fine.”
    “Can you meet us at the airport on Wednesday
afternoon?”
    “Sure. And listen, Todd, while you’re here,
we’ll talk about how to simplify this decision.”
    Todd swiveled around to the window. “What do
you mean?”
    “We’ll discuss it when you’re here on
Wednesday.”
    “OK. See you then.”
    “Can’t wait.”

4
    WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6TH
     
    Two days later, well before dawn on
Wednesday, David finished his second cup of coffee, wrote a note on
their kitchen pad, and left it by the percolator.
     
    Hope you have a great couple of days. Let’s
go to dinner when I get back tomorrow night.
    I may be going to LA soon. Will try to see
Callie.
    I love you.
    D
     
    A few hours later, as he and Todd Phelps
walked past baggage claim at O’Hare airport, David checked his
handheld and noticed that there was an urgent message to call
Kristen.
    He and Todd shook hands with their two
Chicago hosts for the morning, and then he apologized that he had
to call the office. As they walked toward the car David
speed-dialed Kristen’s number.
    “David, hey. Our online news this morning is
reporting that the Chinese government has just instituted sweeping
changes in Hong Kong.”
    “Like what?” David asked, cradling the
mobile phone on his left shoulder.
    “Like a declaration that Hong Kong is now to
be integrated completely into the mainland economy, that the ‘great
experiment’ is over. Private ownership is to be phased out in the
province.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    “I wish. It’s all still sketchy, but one of
the first bullet points is confiscation of all large land parcels
and major buildings, and a tripling of real estate taxes.”
    “Not good, to say the least.”
    “But, David, do you realize that if Knox
hadn’t changed his mind last week, as of yesterday we would have
been locked into a long-term lease for a ton of space in a
nationalized building?”
    Sawyer paused, shifting the phone as he
changed hands with his bag. Todd and their hosts, who were deep in
conversation about their Chicago visit, walked ahead.
    “Sometimes the man is uncanny.”
    “I guess. Anyway, hopefully we have a leg up
on moving to Seoul and Singapore. I imagine that a lot of companies
will be bailing out of Hong Kong, too.”
    “Yes. When do you plan to go out?”
    “Next week, once you tell me how high I can
go on Capital Tower with Porter, so we can nail down a Letter of
Intent.”
    “We need that building. Offer full price,
and we’ll agree to a thirty-day due diligence period. That ought to
get it for us.”
    “Will do. I’ll call Porter this morning and
give him our standard letter at the asking price. Good luck in
Chicago and Minneapolis.”
    “OK. Say hello to Porter for me.”
    He hung up, turning his attention once again
to Todd and their Chicago hosts.
     
    Later that night in Minneapolis, the two
USNet real estate executives walked out of a French restaurant with
Mike Campbell and Frank Gillespie, the developers of Brookglen.
They had toured the site that afternoon. Over a superb dinner they
had discussed rental rates and delivery dates. Because the two
USNet visitors were going to see a competing project in the
morning, nothing was settled, but the discussion was productive.
And David made it clear that going forward, Todd Phelps would be
the point man for USNet’s decision-making process.
    As they walked toward the two hosts’ cars,
Frank Gillespie said to David, “I’ll drive you to your hotel. Let’s
let these two young guys relive their business school days.”
    “Fine by me,” David acknowledged. Turning to
Todd and smiling, he said, “Just remember we’re starting early, so
be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning.”
    “Of course,” Todd agreed, as he and