Gerald’s eyes sparked with irritation. “What will happen to Nessa?”
Jaclyn suspected his concern was more for himself than for his secretary’s livelihood. “She can continue to support you. If she has time, she also can help with other administrative duties.”
Gerald’s gaze iced over. “This is bullshit.”
“No, Gerry. It’s business.” She enjoyed turning his words back to him.
“Are you doing this because Bert and I want to move the team out of Brooklyn? What do you have against that plan?”
Jaclyn sat forward in her seat. “Why would you want to separate the franchise from its community?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe to make money?” His voice rose. Her business partner was losing his cool. “The Monarchs aren’t a nonprofit organization. If we had a bigger market share, we’d make more money.”
Jaclyn’s pulse kicked into overdrive. “We were profitable before you and Bert started making colossally ignorant decisions that dropped our team into the league’s basement and cost us revenue.”
Gerald sneered. “Oh, that’s right. You and Frank were the only ones who knew anything about basketball. How could I have forgotten that?”
Confusion blunted her anger. Where had Gerald’s resentment come from? Why hadn’t she seen it before? “We never said that. But your decision to relocate the Monarchs has to do with more than just money. What are you really after, Gerry?”
“Money is at the root of everything, Jackie.”
“Have you received inquiries from other markets? Have you heard from anyone in Nevada?”
“No.”
The hesitation was brief, but it was there. Jaclyn didn’t know whether to believe him. Her heart sank. “Have you approached anyone in Nevada?”
Gerald sat back in his chair. He picked up his pen and rolled it between the fingers of both hands. “We’re still compiling our wish list. These things take time. There’s a lot to consider when you’re selecting a new home for your franchise.”
Every word was a blade punched into her heart. Despite her upbringing to respect her elders, Jaclyn didn’t think she’d hated anyone as much as she hated Gerald in that moment. From the look in his eyes, the feeling was mutual. “Just remember, Gerry. A franchise decision this big, which impacts so many members of the Monarchs family, requires a unanimous vote, and there’s no way on God’s green earth you’ll get mine.”
“Bert and I are committed to this move, so unless you buy the franchise outright, you won’t have a choice. And, at the end of the year, you’ll lose the Empire.”
“Your uncle must be turning in his grave. You have no regard for the legacy he helped build.”
“I do appreciate his legacy. It will make me a very rich man.”
Jaclyn rose from the chair. “I’m moving into this office after lunch today.”
Gerald barely glanced at his gold Rolex. “That doesn’t give me much time.”
Jaclyn arched a brow. “Do you need help?”
Gerald studied her face for several silent moments. “An excellent idea. I’ll get Nessa to help me.”
Anger carried Jaclyn to the door. “As long as you’re gone before I return.”
DeMarcus took the seat opposite the Monarchs’ assistant coach at the small oak conference table. Oscar Clemente either had somewhere else to be or he was timing their meeting. Since he’d entered DeMarcus’s office, the former interim head coach had checked his black wristwatch three times.
DeMarcus laid the printout of the team’s roster on the table’s surface. “I want to meet with each assistant coach individually to discuss issues they may have with the team
.”
Oscar’s intense dark stare stayed steady on his. “OK.”
DeMarcus waited, expecting Oscar to say more. “Since you were the interim head coach, I want to hear your impressions first.”
“Appreciate it.”