“It seems on that we can agree.”
“The offer from Sinclair was sound. Another one probably won’t come around.”
“Wade will survive on its own,” I said.
“Quid pro quo,” Marlin said, leaning forward. “I made a gesture in good faith. I expect you to do the same.”
He thinks I owe him?
“And what was that gesture again?” I asked.
“I helped Julia with my vote. It’s your turn to reciprocate.”
And there we had it, Marlin’s real motivation behind his vote. “And what did you have in mind?”
“You heard Gregg. We’re all getting tired. This company was supposed to unite our families. That’s done. Make me an offer.”
I leaned forward. “To be clear, you’re asking me to make you an offer for your shares in Wade? You’re willing to sell.”
“Skylar mentioned…”
I nodded.
Marlin stood. “Understand, I’ll only consider this for the right price.”
Exhaling, I resumed my relaxed position against the chair. It was my ringside seat to Marlin’s tightrope act, wanting to sell while at the same time not wanting to admit it.
“An agreement would fulfill your promise,” he said, “the one to Gregg about Wade once again being a family-owned company.”
“I’ll have my legal team draw up a proposal.”
“I need a number, Sherman, an offer.”
“And as soon as I walk out of the room, you’re going to call GreenSphere Opportunities, Aphrodite Corp., or Wolfe Acquisitions, or all three, and tell them I made an offer. Then you’re going to sit back as counter-offers come your way.”
Back to sitting in his chair, Marlin’s smile grew. “You’ve done your homework.”
“I tell you what,” I said, “have your lawyer write me a proposal.”
“My lawyer.”
“You don’t want to use Wade’s legal team for obvious reasons. Logan still has his law license, I presume.”
The color drained from Marlin Butler’s face. “This is between me and you. Logan wants nothing to do with you as I’m sure you feel the same.”
I didn’t feel the same.
Julia unwittingly returned me to an unfinished fight that had stalled. I was nearly twenty years late. The players were the same. The rules had changed, or more accurately, the rule maker. I’d changed. This time I didn’t plan on walking away until the Butlers were ruined.
Standing, I pulled a business card from my pocket and handed it Marlin’s direction. “May I suggest that you proceed with your plan in reverse? Find out the bids you can get from the other investors and then call my office with a proposal. I’ll make you an offer, for Julia.”
Not taking the card, Marlin leaned back, sighed, and shook his head. “Pretty young thing, Julia McGrath. She’s nothing but trouble. Skylar saw it. I’m not sure how or why you latched onto her, Sherman, but beware.”
Tossing my card onto his desk, I refrained from laughing. “Beware of Julia?”
He stood and feigned a shiver. “Nothing against her looks. She makes pretty arm candy, but McGrath women tend to run cold…frigid…if you know what I’m saying. Skylar knew that. He just acted too quickly. He’ll learn.”
My thoughts were back to the earlier part of his comment.