Jack watched Yong. The man’s gaze shifted around the room and his mood darkened.
“You don’t fear losing your autonomy as a company?”
“If we’re wiped out by competition, we won’t be autonomous anyway,” Dr. Fairchild said. “The reason why I chose to merge with Marin Aerospace was Senator Rhodes’s promise that we would remain an independent entity under their corporate umbrella.”
“What else would they say?” Yong asked. “You wouldn’t have agreed to the proposal otherwise.”
Dr. Fairchild stiffened in his chair. It was clear to Jack the two men had had this conversation before.
“I trust Weston Rhodes and the board.” He turned to Jack and Paul. “Barring any unforeseen mishaps, the merger will be going through shortly, and that’s my final decision.”
“My understanding is that the agreed-upon stock purchase price is substantially higher than the current market price,” Jack said, trying to drain the tension out of the room. He looked at Yong. “Your family will be very rich.”
Dr. Fairchild nodded. “My legacy to my children. What else is the duty of a father than to provide for his heirs?”
So that’s the real reason you’re doing this, Jack thought. He wondered if Dr. Fairchild had some health issues. Something to look into later.
Lian checked her watch. “Excuse me, Father, but it’s late and our guests are probably tired. I should get them to their residence.”
“Of course. How thoughtless of me.” Dr. Fairchild stood. The others followed suit. “I’ve enjoyed our conversation very much, gentlemen. I hope you’ll be my guest here again soon.”
“We look forward to it. Just as soon as we get our work done.”
The Dalfan CEO smiled. “Excellent.”
16
Lian and Park, her South Korean bodyguard, pulled inside the electric gate and into the driveway of a newly constructed two-story home in a newer and more crowded neighborhood. It was much closer to the Dalfan corporate headquarters near Changi Airport than Dr. Fairchild’s mansion was. The rain had stopped.
Lian’s bodyguard helped Paul and Jack unload and carry their luggage into the foyer.
“It’s a modest house,” Lian said, “but it has all of the modern amenities. We keep it available for visiting guests like you.”
“We’re honored,” Paul said.
Lian pointed at the umbrella stand. “Feel free to use those. It’s monsoon season now, you know.”
Jack had checked the weather before packing, but clearly Paul hadn’t, judging by the stunned look on his face.
“Yes, we know,” Jack said, covering for Paul.
Outside, the home was mostly stucco and glass, with a sloping red-tiled roof — obviously influenced by the architectural style of traditional homes like Dr. Fairchild’s. He had laughingly described the style of his home as “tropical Tudor-Elizabethan.”
Lian gave them a quick tour of the place, including separate bedrooms with private bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, satellite television, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
She opened the back door and led them to a detached garage. She activated the automatic garage door opener and handed Jack a set of keys.
“The Audi TT is a company vehicle, completely at your disposal. Of course it has a satellite GPS system, should you need it.” Lian pointed at the far wall, where two bikes were chained up. “Sometimes it’s easier getting around on one of those than driving.”
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“My father wants you to be comfortable. If you need anything, you have my number. Also, meals will be provided to both of you at the office. Any questions?”
“A hotel would’ve been fine with us.”
“Isn’t this better?”
“Much better, thank you.” And easier for you to keep an eye on us, Jack thought.
“Then we’ll leave you to get settled in. I imagine we’ll see you tomorrow?”
“First thing.”
“Good. We’ll talk about our security arrangements then.”
She didn’t offer her hand, only a curt nod. She and Park marched across the lawn toward a side gate and straight for their vehicle. Jack and Paul headed back into the house.
Paul made a beeline for the kitchen. He found an electric kettle with water and plugged it in. “I need another cup of tea to settle me down before bed.”
“My biological clock is all messed up, too. It’s morning back home right now. We need to get on local time quickly if we want to get any work done.”
“I’m boiling extra water.”
“Sounds good.”
Paul grabbed two cups out of the cupboard and set them on the counter, then limped into the foyer. A luggage zipper zipped open and closed before Paul returned to the kitchen with a box of tea bags. “Chamomile is good to help you sleep.”
“Thanks.”
Paul poured boiling water into the waiting cups.
Jack took a seat. “What did you think of Dr. Gordon Yeoh Fairchild?”
Paul opened up the cupboard doors, doing an inventory. “Nice man, smart. Seems like he really wants this deal to go through.”
“His son wasn’t as keen. I think he’d be just as happy if we got on the plane tomorrow and never came back.”
Paul smiled. “I know the type. He’s defensive because he’s good. In his mind, there’s no need for an external audit because his numbers are perfect and any reports he’s filed are flawless. It’s a good sign, actually. It’s when the accountants are overly cheerful and compliant that you know something’s wrong, because most of the time, there is. There are way too many i’s to dot and t’s to cross, especially on the ledgers of a complex international company like Dalfan.” Paul found a bottle of Glenfiddich single-malt scotch. He pulled it down.
“You’re probably right.”
“I know I’m right.” Paul unscrewed the cap and tipped an ounce into his tea. He pointed the bottle in Jack’s direction. Jack shook his head. No, thanks. “What did you think of Lian, his daughter?”
“Still forming an opinion.” Night had finally fallen. Jack checked his watch. “Let’s hit the ground running tomorrow. We’ll leave here at seven, if that’s okay with you.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Lian’s Range Rover was speeding along the tree-lined East Coast Parkway when her cell phone rang. It was Yong.
“Where are you?” Lian asked.
“On my way home. Have you dropped them off?”
“Just a few minutes ago. What do you want?”
“I saw the way you were looking at them, especially Ryan. I’m concerned.”
“You needn’t be.”
“They’re not our friends. These men have been sent to find something wrong with our company. Rhodes sent them to find a way to drive the purchase price of our stock down.”
“Are you certain?”
“Don’t be naive.”
Lian frowned. “They won’t find anything, will they?”
“Of course not. How can you even ask me that? But that doesn’t mean they won’t lie or make something up.”
“Jack and Paul didn’t strike me as liars,” Lian said. “They’re just doing their jobs.”
“Their job is to screw Father out of his money, or worse. Rhodes isn’t stupid. He sends the President’s son to make a big impression. But it’s obvious what he’s up to.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“You don’t have to be. Just keep a close eye on them, especially Ryan. I’ll have someone keeping close tabs on Brown. Let them do their audit, but let’s not give them the chance to cause any trouble for Father. Agreed?”