“Yes, yes, that surprised many of us here.”
“Was it a large amount that McClellan paid?”
“I can’t get into specific numbers, but it was into the nine figures.”
“Wow,” said Jamison.
“Yes, indeed,” commented Crutchfield. “Quite a fortune.”
“When did you first learn that McClellan was going to buy him out?” asked Jamison.
“About two months ago. We worked on the deal ever since then in absolute secrecy. And finally closed it. All the docs were signed, sealed, and delivered. Money already wired out and ownership transferred. So McClellan really owns the whole town now.” He paused and looked embarrassed. “I mean he did.”
“So now his son will own the town?” said Jamison.
“I’m not privy to that information. I know Mr. McClellan’s CFO quite well, though, and he never mentioned that the father had cut the son out, so I assume that Shane will inherit.”
“He doesn’t seem to care that much about business,” noted Decker.
“I know that’s the general rule of thought around here. But can I give you my opinion?”
“Please do.”
“I’ve known Shane since he was a little boy. He adored his mother and she loved him, but Stuart was totally wrapped up in business. He showed very little affection to either of them.”
“Go on,” prompted Decker.
“Shane was very popular in high school. Very athletic.”
“He said he and Joe Kelly made a potent QB-receiver combo.” Crutchfield smiled warmly. “That’s right. They were always together, those three, including Caroline, I mean. In fact, Joe was the Homecoming King and Caroline was the Homecoming Queen at junior prom. And then senior year it was Caroline and Shane as Queen and King.”
“We didn’t know that,” said Decker.
“But then they graduated. Caroline went to college and Shane went off to war. Joe joined the police force. Then Shane came home. His mother had died. He joined the business, reluctantly, I think. His father never gave him any praise, never an ounce of encouragement. Just the opposite, in fact. But—and this is based on what my CFO friend at McClellan’s told me—Shane is actually very smart and detail oriented. I think you would have to be to survive a war. He actually did good work. And now with his father off his back, I think he will run the company very well. That’s my two cents, anyway.”
“And it was a very helpful two cents,” said Decker. “One more question: Did Caroline know that her father was selling out?”
Crutchfield’s expression changed. “That isn’t an easy question to answer.”
“Just whatever you can tell us.”
“Over the last year or so I’ve sensed some uneasiness between the two of them. Nothing too serious. But Mr. Dawson came to me one day and said he believed that Caroline was growing weary of London. That’s when he began reaching out to McClellan’s camp.”
“Did he say why he felt that way?” asked Decker.
“No. And I didn’t press him on it. That was his own business, not mine. The deal went rather quickly after that.”
“Maddie’s Restaurant?” said Decker. “A tribute to her mother?”
“Yes. She and her mother were very close. Do you know about Junior Dawson?”
Jamison said, “We know he killed himself.”
“Yes, years ago, after coming out as gay to his parents.” He shook his head sadly. “It was very tragic.”
“His father didn’t care for that ‘alternative’ lifestyle, I guess,” said Jamison.
“Caroline loved her brother but had a real problem with her father because of the way he treated Junior, especially in public. And Maddie felt the same as Caroline. It drove a wedge between him and his wife, for sure. In fact, if she hadn’t died in that tragic accident, I’m not sure they would still be together.”