“I have a good working knowledge of their assets, cash flow, ROI, and funding needs, as well as intangibles that go along with any partnership, namely those of an emotional context,” she said. “Before I offered to sell it to you, I had an appraisal done of my business. The total value was ten billion dollars.” She looked at him. “Have you another opinion of its value? After all these years of working together, you clearly know as much about my business as I do.”
“I would have no qualms over such a valuation. Indeed, some would consider that a bargain.”
“I’m glad that we can agree on that. Now, seventy-six percent of a ten-billion-dollar purchase price would more than suffice as payment to my partners. However, if you wish to negotiate further I am ready, willing, and able to do so. I would only add that upon your purchase of the business these men will then becomeyourpartners. Their organizations carry the laboring oar on the operations that you will be acquiring. I have worked with them for many years. They are good men, buttoughmen. If you treat them right, they will do their job well without complaint and without the requiring of much oversight. But if they ever feel they have been betrayed or abused?” She held out her ruined arms. “Then the price I have asked for them will seem to you very cheap indeed versus the cost of the disruption to the business that they can engineer if they feel wronged.”
“Seven point six billion then for the business?”
“Yes.”
“Quite an attractive offer, although considerably more than one dollar,” said Lord.
“As I said, I have no need of more money. All I wish to do is make sure my partners are taken care of. Then I cansafelystep aside. I have no desire to haggle over every penny.”
Lord sat back, glanced at Nash, and then looked out over the mountainous terrain visible over the rear wall. “Thus, you are still giving me a substantial bargain.”
“I am well aware of that. To the tune of two point four billion dollars.”
“And the question remains: Why so generous?”
“At this stage of my life, I have other priorities.”
“Such as?” asked Lord.
“Living as long as possible. And pursuing my garden and my artwork. I have spent most of my life doing neither. And frankly, I am tired. And having been nearly killed twice does give one pause, as I have expressed to you before. But as to the extra value given to you, I would also add that just as I seek to compensate my partners to the south with a generous payout to avoid. . .unpleasantness, I also seek to do the same with you.”
“Forestalling blowback from all quarters, as it were?” said Lord. “Including, perhaps, from me for you taking your mother from my possession?”
“We can agree on that, yes. And a severed head does make an impression.”
Lord smiled but then his expression grew serious. “I must admit that you make a very compelling case, Ms. Steers.”
“The truth is often the source of fuel for enduring fires.”
Lord shot her a patronizing look and said, “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but that sounds like something off a fucking Chinese fortune cookie.”
“That is exactly where I acquired it,” she replied without missing a beat.
Nash couldn’t help but laugh, as did Lord. However, Steers’s expression did not change.
“But fortune cookie or not,” said Steers, “the wisdom of the thing remains because in the end, no matter the hyperbole, or lies, or disinformation, the truth will win out because the truth is reflected in the lives of the individuals and how they each perceive the world. So at the end of the day you cannot convince a starving man that he is rich, or a dying woman that she will live. Thus, those who begin and end with the truth are far more likely to succeed.”
“What will you do if the sale is consummated?” said Lord. “Besides your garden and artwork?” he added, with a bit of a sneer, noted Nash.
“I also have my mother to take care of.”
“Of course, of course.”
“Unless you will have need of her?”
With those seven words, Nash sensed that all the oxygen around them had not only been removed, but something harmful had replaced it.
He looked at Steers, who was focused on Lord. When he glanced at Lord,hiseyes had narrowed and he sat up straighter in his seat. Nash also sensed the security team, perhaps playing off their employer’s visceral reaction, move in closer from their hidden nooks and crannies.
Why the hell are you revealing that you know the two were working together to betray you?thought Nash.
Nash inched his hand toward his holster and then realized it was empty.
This is it and we don’t have a chance. For the love of God, Victoria-san.