Harold parked in front of the hotel, got out, and opened the door.
Frank hopped out. “Thanks, Harold.”
The chauffeur retrieved the pieces of luggage from the trunk, and Frank reached for them, but Harold shook his head and said, “I’ll bring these to the lobby for you.”
“Thanks, Harold.”
An attractive brunette who was working behind the front desk had been expecting Williams. Indeed, she assured him that everything had been taken care of, then she handed him a card to fill out, which he did, and a key to the suite he had occupied previously.
Harold put the pieces of luggage onto a baggage cart that was wheeled toward one of the elevators by a hotel employee.
Frank turned toward Harold. “Well, Harold, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“What time, Mr. Williams?”
“About eight, okay?”
“I’ll be here.”
“Thanks. Have a good evening.”
“You, too, Mr. Williams.”
Frank watched the chauffeur leave. Then he walked hastily to the elevator where the employee and the baggage cart were. He entered and the door closed behind him. He acknowledged the employee and then watched as the elevator progressed to the floor.
His thoughts concerned the company. He realized he needed someone close to keep an eye on it. He certainly couldn’t trust Holmes, not after today, even though Holmes had tried to make up for what he had done by providing a very enlightening tour of the company. Frank remembered the comments Holmes had made, too, especially those that concerned Holmes’s decisions regarding the everyday operations. According to Holmes, the company had started earning a small profit primarily because several of his ideas had been implemented. Frank had chuckled to himself when he realized that Holmes was taking credit for something that may or may not have caused a small profit. In essence, Holmes had tried to impress on Williams that he was important to the company’s survival. Frank had been positive in his comments, but he was not necessarily convinced that Holmes’s ideas had been responsible for the company’s so-called success.
Although he had told his mother that he would be in Chicago for a couple of days, he thought he should return home and discuss the possible problem as well as the idea of selling the company with his mother and uncle
The elevator door suddenly opened. Frank and the employee exited and walked hastily to the suite. When the employee had put the pieces of luggage in the room, Frank handed him a generous tip. The employee smiled, thanked him, and left with the cart.
Frank went to the phone and pressed the key for the hotel’s front desk. He would have the person who answered make reservations on a morning or afternoon flight, whichever flight was available. Then he would take a long shower, dress in fresh clothes, and have a wonderful dinner.