These weren’t decorations. They were pearls, real pearls. Most of the satin string was gone, but the pearls remained.
No.
This was my imagination playing tricks with my mind.
No way would pearls be in the cabin.
Julia’s what-ifs were mixing with my guilt.
I stuffed the remains of whatever it was that I’d found into the pocket of my overcoat before locking the cabin on my way out.
Concerns over the cabin fell to the wayside as Connie met me at the office with a full schedule. My first call was with Ashley from GreenSphere. Taking a seat behind my desk, I spent a few minutes reviewing the information from the Sherman and Madison IT division and also that from Jeremy regarding updated findings on GreenSphere and MMT Inc. While the two researchers hadn’t come to the same conclusion regarding ownership of MMT Inc, their information overlapped in an interesting Venn diagram.
The shell company was one of multiple investors, most identities hidden through other shell companies and equity investment firms. Unlike many SPACs, GreenSphere had no large-name investors to entice venture capital. The underwriter was the only familiar name.
“Mr. Sherman, Ashley Conrad is on line one,” Connie’s voice came through the intercom.
Hitting the button, I commenced with a condensed version of early morning pleasantries before jumping into the meat of the conversation. “Your email said you wanted to make me an offer.”
“Yes, Mr. Sherman. We’re willing to offer you an opportunity to invest in GreenSphere.”
“You want me to invest?” I’d been expecting an offer for my Wade Pharmaceutical stocks.
“Yes. I believe once I send you the prospectus on GreenSphere, you’ll see that there is already substantial capital to help us toward our goal.”
“Your goal?”
“Innovation.”
“How does this relate to Wade Pharmaceutical?”
“Think beyond one company. Wade is but a small piece in a much larger puzzle. The pharmaceutical industry is on the brink of major changes. Wade is quite frankly ill-equipped and unprepared for the future.”
“Then why has GreenSphere invested in Wade?”
“Because we have plans that involve combining private companies, including Wade, to create a worldwide competitor. Forty days ago, it was projected that Wade would fail within eighteen months. Your recent interest in the company, as well as the financial investment you made to stabilize the debt, has given Wade a few more months. Let’s face it, Wade is on life support. You can either continue to invest in one of the last dinosaurs in pharmaceuticals or you can take that investment and add it to GreenSphere. GreenSphere will swallow Wade like the bad pill it is.”
“Under those projections,” I asked, “what will happen to Wade and its investors?”
“For a time, Wade will exist as a subsidiary. The investors will be offered pennies on the dollar. I suggest you unload your shares before that happens. However, if you choose to invest in GreenSphere, we will offer you current market value for your shares. You don’t lose in this scenario. You free yourself from Wade while maintaining a voice in its future.”
“Your goal isn’t to take Wade public?”
“Our goals remain fluid, Mr. Sherman. Wade doesn’t have the name recognition of larger companies. It had little to no recognition prior to your interest. Once you dissolve your investment, Wade too will dissolve.”
“What about the other shareholders in Wade?”
“They have been offered a similar deal. Unfortunately, most do not have the available capital and will be left with whatever they can salvage.”
“You have already offered this opportunity to the other shareholders?”
“Substantial shareholders.”
That meant that the McGraths and Butlers have received this offer. “You only have five percent of the shares.”
Ashley paused. “Mr. Sherman, this offer will expire soon. This is your opportunity to take part in the acquisition of not only Wade, but a number of other unsubstantial holdings.”
“A merger?”