“Because I wanted to be sure that you’re still open for bids on Shifnal Farm in Shropshire.”
“We most certainly are. But I must warn you that we already have an offer of one point six million pounds from another bank.”
“Then I bid one million, six hundred and ten thousand.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Vaughan.
“And what time do you make it now?”
“Three minutes to five.”
“Please hold on, Mr. Vaughan, there’s someone on the other line. I’ll only be a moment.” Kaufman placed the black receiver on his desk, picked up the red one and dialed a number.
After three rings a voice said, “Adrian Sloane.”
“Mr. Sloane, I’m calling back about the Nigerian oil bonds your bank is offering to selected investors. As I said earlier, it sounds a most exciting opportunity. What is the maximum amount that you’ll allow any one institution to invest?”
“Two million pounds, Mr. Kaufman. I’d offer you more, but the majority of the shares have already been taken up.”
“Can you just hold on while I consult one of my colleagues?”
“Of course, Mr. Kaufman.”
Saul placed the red phone back on his desk and picked up the black one. “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr. Vaughan, but I must ask you once again, what time do you make it?”
“One minute to five.”
“Excellent. Would you now be kind enough to open your office door?”
Kaufman put the black receiver back down on his desk and picked up the red one. “My colleague is asking, if we were to invest the full two million, would that entitle us to a place on the board of the new company?”
“Most certainly,” said Sloane. “In fact, I could offer you two places, as you would own ten percent of the stock.”
“Allow me to consult my colleague again.” The red phone was placed back on the desk, and Kaufman picked up the black one.
“What did you find when you opened the door, Mr. Vaughan?”
“A messenger handed me an envelope containing a banker’s draft for one hundred and sixty-one thousand pounds.”
“The ten percent required to close the transaction. What time do you make it now, Mr. Vaughan?”
“Two minutes past five.”
“Then the deal is closed. And as long as I pay the remaining ninety percent within thirty days, Shifnal Farm is mine.”
“It most certainly is,” said Vaughan, unwilling to admit how much he was looking forward to telling Sloane that he’d lost the deal.
“Have a good weekend,” said Kaufman as he placed the black phone back on its cradle and returned to the red one.
“Mr. Sloane, I want to invest two million pounds in this most exciting project.” Kaufman wished he could see the look on Sloane’s face. “But unfortunately I couldn’t get my colleagues to agree with me, so sadly I’ll have to withdraw my offer. As you assured me the majority of the shares have already been taken up, I don’t suppose that will cause you too much of a problem.”
14
SEBASTIAN DIDN’T TELL Samantha the tactics Mr. Kaufman had resorted to in order to close the Shifnal Farm deal, because he knew she wouldn’t approve, even though it was Sloane who’d lost out. What he did tell her was that Kaufman had offered him a job.
“But I thought his bank didn’t have a property division.”
“It does now,” said Seb. “He’s asked me to set up my own department. Small transactions to begin with, but with a view to expanding, if I prove myself.”