Treadwell looked up as Heather showed up at his door. Ashley came around from behind her desk to stop her, but Treadwell waved her off.
“You’re back,” he said when Heather came in and shut the door.
“I didn’t like where we left it,” she said. She sat down on the chair in front of his desk. “We need to talk.”
“I’ve said all there is to say.”
“Not a chance in hell. All you have to tell me is: ‘Yes, darling, I’d love to cut you in on the deal.’”
“Okay, if that’s the way you want it … darling,” Treadell said. “I don’t know if you’ve heard the rumor, but I’ve taken BP to cash. I think the situation in China is going to blow sky-high, and soon. Added to that is our own government’s debt. We’re buried up to our ears and there may be no realistic way to pull us out of a downward spiral.”
Heather said nothing.
“I don’t know if you’re following my logic, but this deal you’re talking about is BP going to cash. Simple. And if you want us to take Rockingham in the same direction we’d be happy to offer the service.”
She crossed her arms. “That’s it?” she asked skeptically. “I understand what’s happening to the market because of China, plus the failure of the Treasury auction. And I even understand why our stock is taking a beating today. But you taking your firm to all cash? That’s the ‘greatest financial coup in history’?”
Treadwell shrugged.
“The way you were talking about the deal was making money, not just avoiding losing it.”
“If we can maintain our capital when all hell starts to break loose, then we’ll be in a decent position to take a lot of money during the recovery. And that means your company will ultimately be the beneficiaries because we’ll have the resources to not only help you expand but maybe give you the capital to buy up other companies at recession-rate prices.”
Heather smiled. “Why do I feel as if you’re bullshitting me?”
“What makes you think something like that?”
“Back at the apartment you told me that talking to Betty Ladd would be the biggest mistake of my life. And you said that my wanting to get in on your deal might be something I didn’t want. Sounded like threats to me.”
“Betty would screw you over just because you and I were together. And as far as the deal goes, we’re talking about very big money. And if it goes south, which is always possible in any deal, you could get burned.”
“You got a text that said ‘the Levin girl is gone and the kid is missing.’ And she was the one who supposedly came up with an ‘antidote’ to a virus. So quit fucking around, Reid. I want to know what’s going on.”
“Not now,” Treadwell said. “I’ll call you later.”
Butch Hardy, along with one of his female security people, showed up. They had a word with Ashley, who had apparently called them.
Treadwell motioned them in. This wasn’t how he wanted the situation to develop, but he wanted to get rid of this fool. “Ms. Rockingham was just leaving,” he said. “See her out of the building, would you, Butch?”
“You bastard,” Heather screeched.
The female security officer took Heather’s arm. “No trouble, now, young lady.”
Heather pulled away. “Don’t you dare touch me!”
Hardy and the woman each took an arm, dragged Heather to her feet, and marched her out the door.
“Call me?” she shouted. “We’ll see who calls whom!”