The next morning when Frank arrived at the office, he called Holmes at the trucking company.
“Wendell Holmes speaking.”
“Wendell, this is Frank Williams.”
“Hello, Mr. Williams. How are you?”
“Fine. I wish to know when Mr. Goldberg can meet to discuss the company. Do you mind calling him and asking?” Frank asked.
“I’ll be happy to,” Holmes replied. “When I find out, I’ll call you. What number should I call?”
Frank provided the number and then added, “I’ll be at this number until early evening.”
“Okay. Anything else?”
“No. That’s all,” Frank replied. Then he added, “Thanks, Wendell.”
“No problem. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Frank put down the receiver and started reading one of the reports one of the secretaries had brought in earlier that morning. He didn’t like what he read. The price of oil had decreased several dollars per barrel during the night. He turned on the computer and started reading the news. One article was about specific nations in the Middle East producing too much oil. Another article concerned the increased production of oil by a few companies in the United States. Another article discussed the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. According to the article, the nation’s dependence had decreased. Still, another article examined the driving habits of Americans, claiming Americans were driving less often as well as driving fewer miles primarily because of high gas prices.
Frank shook his head. Anyone who knows anything about the oil business knows it is cyclical, just like other businesses. He had learned from his father that any oil company that wished to survive had to have abundant capital so employees wouldn’t have to be laid off during difficult times. He remembered his father telling him more than once that a good and loyal employee was hard to find. Although the oil company had experienced several rough periods in its history, his father had never had to lay off one person because he made sure there was abundant capital set aside.
* * *
Frank had returned from lunch and was sitting in the office when the telephone rang. He picked up the receiver. “Frank Williams speaking.”
“Mr. Williams, I’ve spoken to Goldberg,” Holmes said. “He said he could be in Chicago Friday morning. How does Friday morning sound?”
“Friday morning should not be a problem. I’ll let you know for sure later this afternoon, okay?”
“Fine. I’ll make sure I’m in my office.” Holmes ended the call.
Frank was about to put down the receiver when he realized he needed to speak to Karen Bates, the secretary who had been at the oil company for several years and who had volunteered to fill Sharon Cooper’s position until another secretary had been hired. Frank punched Karen’s number.
“Yes, Mr. Williams?”
“Ms. Bates, I have to fly to Chicago Thursday afternoon. I will be returning early Friday evening. Would you check on a round-trip ticket for me?”
“Certainly, Mr. Williams. I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”
“Thank you.”
Frank glanced at his watch and realized that it was Tuesday. He would have to come to the office tomorrow and go over the figures he had crunched days ago for the trucking company. He needed to make certain his asking price would cover the current value and provide a nice profit.
* * *
Frank was checking several figures when the telephone rang. He picked up the receiver. “Frank Williams.”
“Mr. Williams, I have ordered your round-trip ticket. You will be leaving Thursday afternoon at three-forty-five and returning Friday evening at five. The ticket should be here tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Ms. Bates.”
“Is there anything else?” she asked.
“No. Thanks.”
Frank put down the receiver and then remembered he needed to call the trucking company. He picked up the receiver, dialed the number, and asked for Holmes. When Holmes answered, Frank told him he would be arriving late Thursday and would come to the company early Friday morning. Holmes asked if there was anything he could do, and Frank told him no. Then he ended the call.
Frank sat back in the leather chair and wondered if Sharon Cooper had read or seen the news about the arrests of Jacobs, Childers, and Montgomery. She may be too busy, he thought. Then he wondered if she was actually moving because she had accepted another job. I’m sure she’ll be at the trial. After all, she’ll be a witness, considering father was killed in her house.
Frank thought about his father—specifically, about his trying to persuade—actually, blackmail—the governor into having a bill passed and signed. He shook his head and then looked at the nearest photograph of his father. Father, what were you thinking? Did you actually believe a few photographs would cause the governor to twist some arms? Did you actually believe that if the bill passed the governor would sign it? Frank shook his head again. No, Father, the governor wasn’t interested in signing that bill. Considering how much you wanted the bill to pass, he probably thought the representative who wrote the bill would insist the state buy your land for the park. Frank glanced around the office until he saw another picture of his father. Then you sent copies of the photographs to his wife. Frank breathed deeply and sighed.
He thought about the trial and speculated about what would be presented in court. He realized the defense lawyers—particularly the one for the governor—would present all sorts of information about his father. Indeed, the picture the governor’s lawyer would paint would be ugly. Frank realized that his father’s reputation, which had been sterling, would be ruined by the attempted blackmail. Yet, there was nothing he could do about it. Of course, he could persuade his mother not to go unless she was subpoenaed. He would suggest that as soon as he got home.
* * *
Frank entered the house and approached the dining room. His mother was sitting at the table drinking from a cup. When she saw him she put the cup down and smiled. “You’re early. I wasn’t expecting you for another half-hour or so.”
“I’m tired. Besides, I have to go to Chicago Thursday afternoon. I’m meeting Marvin Goldberg Friday morning.”
“You’re going to sell the trucking company, aren’t you?”
Frank noticed the smile that formed on his mother’s face. He pulled a chair from under the table and sat down. “I’m going to try. I’m sure my mind will be on other things when the trial starts.”
Mary agreed. “That sounds like a good plan, Frank. You won’t have to worry about something possibly going wrong at the company while attending the trial.” She searched his face. “You are attending the trial, aren’t you?”
Frank nodded. “Yes, but I don’t think you should go unless you are subpoenaed.”
Mary was curious. “Why?”
“Because of what will be said about father.”
A faint smile formed on Mary’s face. “I understand, Frank, but I’m not that thinned skin.”
“Mother, defense lawyers are not known to be ethical or even considerate in court. And you can bet the lawyers representing those three will make nasty and mean comments about father, especially if the comments can help their clients.”
“I know, Frank, but I’m not a child. I want to see the people who murdered your father.”
Frank realized he couldn’t persuade his mother. “Okay, Mother, just remember what I’ve said.” He noticed that she was wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans. “Are we having barbeque for dinner?”
She looked at herself and laughed. “No,” she finally replied. “I drove out to the ranch today.”
“Why? Was there a problem?”
She nodded. “Yes, one of the barns was destroyed during a storm. Ben called and asked if I could come out and take a look, so I did. He asked if he should go ahead and get estimates on a new barn.” Benjamin Cartwright was the foreman who oversaw the everyday operations of the ranch. He and his wife, Shelia, lived in a white frame house that was on the property.
“Anyone hurt?”
“No, thank goodness.”
“How’s Ben doing? The last time I saw him he was on crutches.”
“That’s right. He broke his right leg in a fall. But, Frank, that was two years ago. He’s fine now.”
“How’s his wife?”
“I saw her. She insisted that I come to their house and have some coffee and cake.”
“Father was fortunate when he hired Ben to oversee the ranch.”
“Yes, he was. Ben and Shelia have taken care of the ranch like it was theirs.”
“I’ll have to go to the ranch soon. I’d like to see them.”
“You should. They would love to see you again.”
Frank changed the subject. “Well, what has Francine cooked today, do you know?”
Mary shook her head. “No, I don’t. When I returned, I went to the kitchen to get a cup of tea, but I didn’t ask what she was cooking.”
Frank glanced at his watch. “I’d better go upstairs before she serves dinner. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She nodded but didn’t say anything.