Chapter 13
Dave wrapped up a few notes from the meeting, and the savor of success remained until Frank popped in.
“How did the meeting go with MABS?” Frank said, easing into a seat and grinning.
“It was difficult at first. You were right. He’d heard about certain events.”
“You mean your divorce and remarriage?”
“Yes. Okay, are you satisfied?”
“Don’t get mad at me. I’m just telling the truth.”
“Fine, but did you come here to talk or to listen?”
“Go ahead. Tell me what happened,” Frank said, locking his hands behind his head and rearing back.
Dave continued. “Davis was concerned that my circumstances would affect my ability to run DMI.”
“How did you answer that?” Frank asked, as if he agreed with Davis.
“How do you think I answered?” Frank hunched his shoulders. “I basically told him that my personal challenges are not a factor when it comes to handling DMI business.”
“I don’t believe that, and I doubt if he did, either,” Frank responded.
“He believed me after I reminded him of my lengthy and successful track record. Apparently, I have to remind you of the same record, since you seem to have lost confidence in my ability to run this place.”
“I’m just calling it like I see it.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about MABS. The deal is ironclad. They’re on board, and your worries are pointless.”
“Maybe, but you know how I feel about Sherry.”
“Yes, I do, and that’s your problem,” Dave told his brother. He’d heard enough about Sherry. There was no need to continue. Frank could feel the way he wanted so long as he kept it out of DMI and away from Dave.
“I suspect you don’t want to hear this, but you have to do the right thing.”
Dave sighed loudly. “And what is that, Frank?” he asked, unwilling to bridle his aggravation.
“The smartest decision you can make is to get Madeline back in this office before DMI goes down as a result of the divorce.”
“Our divorce was final a year ago. That’s old news.”
“It was old until you added a fresh young woman to the mix,” Frank said, chuckling. Dave didn’t laugh.
“Excuse me, Mr. Mitchell,” his secretary said, entering the office and appearing distressed. “Oh, I didn’t know you were meeting with Mr. Mitchell. I can come back after you’re finished.”
“It’s okay, Sharon. Come on in. Tell me what’s going on, because you look worried.”
“I got a call from the legal department. Tri-State and the Eastern Lutheran Group are opting out of their maintenance contracts, and two new clients are canceling their deals.”
“What?” Frank blurted. “Why didn’t I get those messages?”
“I don’t know, sir. Maybe they didn’t know you were up here. I don’t know, but the chief counsel told me to tell you that he’s reviewing the contracts.”
Dave did a quick calculation and realized the news equated to roughly one and a half million dollars in revenue. “Get him up here in my office, pronto,” he said.
Sharon hustled from the office.
“We must have stiff language and penalties in the contract surrounding early terminations,” Frank said.
“Not really. We’ve never had an early termination.”
Frank slapped the table. “My point exactly. You have to face it. We’re treading in uncharted waters. You’re accustomed to dictating to clients what we’re going to do. Now that your reputation is compromised, those vultures are going to pick the bones of DMI if we don’t get a plan in place.”
“And you have the perfect plan, right?”
“You betcha I do. In one word, the answer is Madeline. Get her in here. Show the clients that it’s business as usual between the two of you.”
“You have a good point. The only problem is that Madeline doesn’t want anything to do with me or Sherry. Can you imagine the two of them working here together? Because I certainly can’t.”
“True, that is a small technicality,” Frank said, letting his gaze dip.
“But I think her passion for DMI might outweigh her contempt for me and for Sherry.”
“I’m betting on it,” Frank said. “If I was a religious man, which we know I’m not, this would be a good time to say a prayer,” he added, laughing and prompting a reaction from Dave. “But we’ll leave that business to you. I’ll rely on my good old-fashioned instincts. DMI is in Madeline’s bones. She might have been gone for two or three years, but nobody can replace her around here, and I hope Madeline knows it.”
“You have a point,” Dave told his brother. Frank was right. Madeline had always been a solid partner at DMI. She was with him from the beginning. Truth was, he needed her then and he needed her now. Dave had to acknowledge the other side of the predicament—his bride-to-be. Sherry wouldn’t be pleased, but he had to save the company.
“You want me to call Madeline and tell her what’s going on here? It might sway her decision,” Frank said.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll call her. She needs to hear the request from me. I owe her that much.”