“God, I hope I get through this without having a stroke,” Rick said.
“Just relax, Rick; it’s going to be all right.”
“I hope you’re right, Stone. Talk to you later.” They both hung up.
Manolo came out to the patio and handed Stone a brown envelope. “This was delivered by messenger a moment ago.”
Stone opened the envelope and found a formal offer for the Bel-Air property for two hundred fifty million and the new house. There was no mention of the Centurion deal. Stone called Arrington.
“Hello?”
“You out of your house?”
“I am; I’m in the rental.”
“We got an offer from Prince for your Bel-Air property a moment ago: two hundred fifty million and a house for you, built to your specs.”
“Wow!” she said. “I never thought he’d go that high.”
“It’s a rich offer, no doubt.”
“But?”
“But there’s no mention of the Centurion deal. I told him you wouldn’t consider an offer that didn’t include that.”
“What do you think he will do?”
“I’ve learned that the Centurion deal money is coming from some very sleazy people who would go nuts if he backed out of it.”
“So he’s-what’s the expression?”
“Between a rock and a hard place.”
“Exactly. What do you want to do?”
“I want to ignore the offer.”
“And how do you think he will react?”
“He’ll be very upset. The Centurion shareholders’ meeting is scheduled for early next week, to vote on his final offer, and we now have the votes to kill the deal.”
“Does he know that?”
“No. He’s going to get a rude shock when the votes are tallied.”
“Do you think he’ll still want the Bel-Air property if the Centurion deal doesn’t happen for him?”
“I think he will, but I don’t know what the consequences of the failed deal might be.”
“What should I do?”
“Nothing. I won’t even respond to the offer on Bel-Air. Let him stew in his own juices.”
“If he calls me directly, what should I tell him?”
“Refuse to discuss it; refer him to me.”
“Whatever you say, Stone.”