Chapter 17
It seemed like just moments until the group stopped in front of a pretentious high rise. Jo and here three companions were transfixed with their views of Manhattan. Jo could not get over how tall the buildings were. The further into the business district they went, the less visible sky there was, she noted. “No wonder people are not afraid to live here,” she said to Alex. “With no large open sky, it seems tight and close knit.”
A doorman in uniform opened the door of the limousine, and helped the ladies out. It must have been obvious on their faces that they were new arrivals, since the gentleman smiled and said, “Welcome to New York.” Roberts, riding in the front, got out and walked with the small group into the lobby of the skyscraper. They saw a bank of elevators straight ahead, a front desk with security cameras, and other small things that led Jo to conclude that this was an apartment building, not a motel. Roberts escorted Jo and her group to the concierge desk.
“Hello, I am Dalton,” a very well dressed man greeted them. “How can I assist you today?” He asked them casually.
“This is Miss Becker, of BeckFord Financial. She will be inspecting the penthouse to determine if she wishes to occupy it for the present.”
The man Dalton seemed to grow two inches at the announcement Roberts had made. He turned to Jo with a great measure of respect, and bowed, his tone completely different. “Miss Becker, of course. We have been expecting you. This way, please.” He led them to a grand elevator to the left of the concierge desk. Jo glanced back at the other elevators, confused.
“This private elevator goes directly to the penthouse, madam. You will not be subjected to the rest of the inhabitants of the building.” Jo glanced over at Alex with a scowl on her face to see what Alex’s opinion of that statement was.
Alex leaned over to Jo and whispered, “If you ever talk like he just did I will slap you. That is what I won’t allow you to become.”
Jo giggled behind her hand. Dalton used a special key to activate the elevator, and then they boarded. Only Roberts and the snobby man went up with Jo and the Turners to the penthouse. The ride up was quick, but not nauseatingly so. The doors opened at the top revealing a hallway with two doors. Roberts took a set of keys and opened the larger, double doors, to unveil a beautiful room. Jo caught her breath at the magnificence in front of her. She touched the delicate fabric of the overstuffed sofa, caressed the kid leather of a large comfortable-looking chair, but was immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. She walked over to them, pushing aside the sheer white drapes, and observed her new domain from the top of the world. It was amazing, and incredible. Jo could only stare at the sight in awe. Then Alex caught her attention.
“Jo, out here," Alex motioned her to follow to a door leading outside. There was a large terrace scattered with deck chairs and loungers. Potted plants and small tables to place drinks on were placed nearby. There was a patio dining set that would seat eight, and a gorgeous wrought iron bench seated right at the edge of the terrace giving a wonderful view of the entire skyline. Way off in the distance she could see the Statue of Liberty. There was a safety fence surrounding the entire outdoor area, to make sure no accidental falls occurred. Then Jo noticed the gazebo. Beautiful ivy climbed all over the stained redwood criss-crossed slats that formed the exterior. Inside was a large spa that Joe imagined would easily seat six or more people. It was uncovered and steam was rising off of it. Alex, who had walked up beside her, pushed a button on the side of the spa, and it began bubbling rapidly.
“Jo, I think I like this place,” Alex grinned.
“We haven’t even seen the rest of it yet!” Jo playfully tugged on Alex, forcing her to follow Jo back inside. They wandered into each of the three bedrooms at the west end of the apartment. Every bedroom had a private bathroom, which amazed both girls. Each bedroom contained a king-sized bed with satin sheets and luxury evident. Large walk-in closets were also visible in each room, as well as vanity tables with chairs, and a plasma television mounted on one wall. From the carpets to the lamps, every item the bedrooms contained was extravagance personified.
Alex and Jo went into one of the bathrooms. Though each bedroom had their own bath, this one room had a larger bathroom, so the girls were checking it out. A garden spa tub, which seemed superfluous to Jo considering there was a hot tub outside; a standing shower with four different spray nozzles; two sinks underneath a long mirror.
“This is amazing,” Alex commented. “This bathroom is bigger than my bedroom.”
Jo laughed. “Come on, Alex, let’s go see the kitchen.”
They found Alex’s mom already there, opening and closing cupboards and appliances. “This refrigerator would hold enough food to feed an army,” Kendra declared. Jo opened it to see, and agreed with her. She and Alex observed and tested anything and everything, then headed back into the living area.
Alex was the first to find the remote for the entertainment system. She found a power button and the three women watched in amazement as a panel opened up on the wall to reveal a sixty-two inch plasma television mounted there. Jo saw the small speakers pop up out of the floors, the corners of the room, and the walls. She saw eight for sure, but wasn’t sure if she missed some.
“Surround sound?” she asked no one in particular.
“Yes, ma’am,” Dalton came over to where they were. He spoke about some of the features of the system, and explained the basic operations. Alex flipped a few channels. “There are over one thousand channels, Miss Becker. I am sure you will always be entertained.” Jo tried hard not to show her astonishment.
The three women realized at about the same time that Sam was not with them. “Where’s Dad?” Alex questioned her mother.
“I don’t know. I thought he was wandering around outside, but I don’t see him,” she responded as she scanned the outer terrace.
“The gentleman is in the office,” Dalton efficiently informed them. Alex and Jo looked at each other. “Office?” they both mouthed at the same time. “This way, if you please,” Dalton motioned for them to follow down another hallway, to the east end of the apartment.
They were led between the kitchen and dining area, past another bathroom, to enter a large, open room that contained another television, a deep sofa, three recliners, a pool table, and off to the side a large, ornate desk with an executive chair behind it overlooking the room. A smaller bathroom containing only a toilet and sink was located directly behind the desk. Sam was standing at a bookcase browsing the selection of books he had discovered.
Jo was stunned. This was a very large apartment. “Five bathrooms?” She whispered to Alex.
“A pool table?” Alex whispered back.
Jo cleared her throat. “Is this all of the apartment?” she asked Dalton, trying to sound bored. “Where is the laundry room?”
Roberts interrupted her before she could say more. “Dalton, that will be all. We will call you if we need anything.”
Dalton nodded, “Yes, sir.” He retreated down the hallway toward the elevator.
Roberts turned to Jo. “Miss Becker, there are no laundering appliances in the apartment. The owners of most homes of this caliber tend to send out their clothing to be dry cleaned. There is a laundry facility located in the basement that the housekeeping service uses to launder items that are not sent out. You will find hampers in each room, of course. Anything you place in the hamper will be properly laundered and returned. I believe housekeeping collects the soiled clothing each morning and returns it in the evening. She puts them away for you, as well.”
“You mean, someone comes and takes even my underwear and washes them for me?” Jo was a little apprehensive about that idea. She wasn’t used to having strangers handle her intimate wear.
“That is what is normally done, yes.”
“This is going to take some getting used to,” Jo responded.
The group heard a chime coming from the living area, and Roberts headed down the hall to answer it. Near the front door of the apartment was a small display and speaker. Ms. Michaels appeared in the display, and spoke to Roberts. “I brought sandwiches from the deli next door. It is almost time for Miss Becker’s meeting.”
“Thank you, Michaels.” Roberts turned to Jo. “Miss Becker, when someone wishes to visit you, they have to access a panel just like this one in the lobby next to your elevator. They push the button and it chimes up here. That was what we heard from the study. You talk to them by pushing the blue button and, once you have decided they are safe to enter, you press this green button here,” Roberts pointed to a small, green button next to the blue button on the speaker panel. “The only way to get to this apartment is by having the key to the elevator or by someone pressing this green button.”
Jo thanked him for the explanation. Within a minute, Michaels arrived with mouth-watering sandwiches for everyone. It was a bit after four o’clock in New York by now, but for the travelers coming from the Pacific Time zone, it was shortly past lunchtime and they were starved. Roberts passed out sodas from the well-stocked refrigerator to compliment their hasty meal.
As soon as everyone was finished, Roberts ushered Jo and her entourage back down to the lobby and into a limousine waiting at the door. “I will take you to your other homes later. It is time to meet the Board at BeckFord now.”
Jo checked her appearance in a vanity mirror she pulled down from the ceiling of the limo. Still wearing one of the business costumes Charlie had chosen for her before her mother’s funeral, she looked the part she was trying to portray. However, her nerves were tingling and her stomach was knotted. This was the moment of truth.
“You will do fine,” Roberts assured her. “Just keep you chin up and maintain eye contact. Remember that they work for you. Don’t let them intimidate you.”
The limousine entered an underground parking structure and stopped at some glass double doors. A tall, handsome man in suit and tie came out to greet them. He looked to be in his late forties and, his hair was just hinting at silver here and there. He was slim and looked like he enjoyed life. Overall, he looked friendly, yet still businesslike. He smiled at them as they exited the limousine. “Roberts, welcome back to New York,” the man shook Roberts’ and Michael’s hands and looked around at Jo and the Turners, waiting for an introduction to his new boss.
“Mr. Cline, this is Miss Becker, our new Chairperson. Miss Becker, may I introduce Mr. Richard Cline? He is the operations manager.” Jo stepped forward to take the offered hand.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Becker. I hope you had a pleasant trip?” he inquired politely. Jo nodded and smiled. “If you ever need anything that Roberts cannot or will not arrange, please allow me to be of assistance.” The friendly man’s eyes twinkled as he smiled. Jo smiled back. She thought she liked Mr. Cline already.
Mr. Cline led the six new arrivals to an elevator, and then took them to the top floor of the impressive building. Jo had yet to see the outside of the company structure. She knew there was time for that later, though.
They exited the elevators on what Mr. Cline explained was the Executive floor. There was a professionally attired woman waiting for them. She was tall and gave the impression that she knew what she was doing. If she hadn’t smiled, Jo might have been a little frightened of her. The smile, however, made her a little less imposing. The other four members of the security team were there as well.
“Miss Becker,” the woman stepped forward to greet Jo. “I am Director Sarah Johnson. I apologize for the way we had to hide our purpose from you until the appropriate time. I was hoping to avoid any additional risk. The fewer people who knew about you, the safer you would be.” She smiled as she took Jo’s hand and shook it. “Now that you know who we are and why we have brought you here, do you have any questions about your position in the company before I present you to your Board?”
Jo thought for a moment. Though she had a million questions, she realized most would be answered in time. “Are the Board Members aware that I was to arrive today?” she asked. At a nod in the affirmative, she asked another question. “Are they aware of my age?”
Director Johnson nodded again and smiled. “Yes, Miss Becker, and of course they are concerned with your lack of experience. I am sure that you are apprehensive as well. This is a big job you are undertaking. Roberts assures me, however, that you are up for the task.”
Jo smiled at Roberts, and he nodded back at her. He was in his business mode, she realized. She sighed and turned back to Director Johnson.
“Let’s get this over with,” she stated heavily.
Director Johnson nodded. She spoke to the three Turners. “If you would wait here, please. Miss Becker will not be long.”
Joanna Arianna Becker was presented to the Board of Directors of BeckFord Financial Corporation four days after her eighteenth birthday. She entered the boardroom nervously, but instinctively held her chin up and made eye contact with each member as she was introduced.
“You have met Mr. Richard Cline, the Chief Operation Officer.” Director Johnson began the introductions.
Jo nodded to the man as he took his seat.
“This is Mr. Gordon Fitzgerald, the Chief Financial Officer.” Director Johnson continued and indicated the man next to Mr. Cline.
Jo nodded at the man indicated. He frowned at her; it was apparent that he was not pleased to meet her.
“Next to him is Mr. Ian Stafford, the Chief Marketing Officer,” Director Johnson said.
Jo smiled at him, and he smiled back and nodded. Not too bad, Jo thought. Two out of three were tolerating her so far.
“Next we have Ms. Cynthia Grant, who is the Chief Information Officer.”
Jo smiled at her and the woman grinned back and gave a little wave. Jo’s face lit up. Maybe this wasn’t going to be too bad.
“Then you have Mr. Edward Lawrence, the Chief Technical Officer.”
Mr. Lawrence glared at Jo as she looked his way. Her first impression of him was that he looked evil.
“To his left is Ms. Nancy Moreno, the Vice President of Human Resources,” the Director continued.
Jo was greeted by a non-committal stare when she nodded to the VP.
Director Johnson led Jo to the head of the table. As Jo stood at the head, there was one man seated to her right who had not yet been introduced.
“Your right-hand man, both literally and figuratively, is Mr. Raymond Sherman, the Chief Executive Officer of Beckford Financial for the past six years.”
The man at Jo’s right stood and shook her hand. Jo knew from her economics class that this was the man who actually ran the company, top to bottom, and that they would be working together.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Becker,” the man spoke sincerely as he gave Jo a firm handshake. “I look forward to working with you.” The man sat back down, and Director Johnson indicated to Jo to take the seat she was standing behind. Then Director Johnson went to the far end of the table to an empty chair.
“I am on the Board as well, mostly in an advisory position,” Director Johnson explained as she took her seat.
Jo was now standing at the head of the table, eight very experienced businessmen and women watching her. Remembering Roberts’ advice, she looked at each one in turn, making and holding eye contact for a few seconds before moving to the next one.
“Thank you for the warm reception,” Jo began. She was unprepared to make a speech, but realized they were waiting for her to say something. “I, too, look forward to working with you, Mr. Sherman, and the rest of you as well. I am young, I realize, and inexperienced. With your guidance, I am positive we can keep this company moving forward as you have done under Mr. Hartford. I welcome your candor, and will do my best to live up to my father’s potential.” Jo was almost quaking by this time, having used up most of her bravado. She wondered if she should sit down before she passed out, but was saved by Ms. Grant.
“It will be fun having someone young to head us up,” Ms. Grant rose from her seat to walk to where Jo was barely able to stand. She put her arm around Jo in a sisterly fashion. “I just want to say for all of us that it was dreadful the way Mr. Hartford cheated you out of your inheritance. I am looking forward to seeing you blossom into the woman you would have been had your father lived.” The kind woman squeezed Jo’s arm. “Welcome home, Miss Becker. Please, let me know if I can do anything to help you get settled.”
Jo was truly indebted to Ms. Grant for her kindness. Her delighted smile filled her face and shone from her eyes. “Thank you for that gracious welcome, Ms. Grant,” Jo scored more points by remembering her name on the first try. “And I will.” A few of the other executives followed Ms. Grant’s lead and rose to shake hands with Jo. She smiled and greeted each warmly.
“Let’s all convene Monday at ten o’clock for our next meeting, team. I will see you all then,” the CEO Mr. Sherman announced. There was a lazy rustle of papers and retrieval of briefcases, and the room slowly emptied. Jo was led back into the anterior area where the three Turners were patiently waiting.
“Jo, were those the Board members?” Alex asked of the group of people that had passed them as they waited.
“Yes, that was them.”
“How did it go?” she persisted.
“Well, they didn’t eat me,” Jo laughed when Alex snorted in disgust. “Oh, all right. It went well. The CEO, Mr. Sherman, seemed really nice. He’s the one I have to work with the most, so as long as he’s okay working with a green kid, I think I will learn fast.”
Director Johnson stepped over next to Jo. “Miss Becker, if I could see you for a moment in my office, there are a few last minute details I need to discuss with you.”
Jo followed her into an office on the same floor, and when she entered, there was a young woman, just slightly older than Jo herself, already waiting on them.
“Miss Becker, this is Miss Tammy Reid. She will be your Personal Assistant temporarily until you find the one who suits you best. She will handle anything and everything, from picking up your dry cleaning to ordering your breakfast from the apartment restaurant. She will also help you keep track of your expenditures, both personal and business related, forwarding the receipts to your bookkeeper, and handle any cash transactions you may require.”
Jo smiled and shook the young woman’s hand. She had no idea why she needed a personal assistant. Why would you want someone else to order your breakfast, she wondered. Is it that hard to buy a box of cereal from the store?
“Call me Tammy,” the young assistant began. “I took the liberty of opening you a bank account, Miss Becker, I hope you don’t mind. I am sure you probably already have one, but you need one for New York, especially if you plan to write checks. Most businesses in New York will not accept out-of-state checks. Don’t worry about balancing your bankbook. Just keep all your receipts and I will make sure your bookkeeper gets them.”
Jo took the checkbook Tammy handed her and thanked her. It looked more like a thick wallet to Jo. It had a place for loose change, and she saw green bills in the area where cash would go.
“I also opened credit accounts at Barney’s, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman’s, and Tiffany’s. There is also a credit card if you choose to go to a different store,” the efficient assistant informed her. “Just use your California I.D. for now, until we can get you a New York I.D. card.”
Jo looked at her blankly. She had no idea what these stores were. She had heard of Bloomingdale’s and Tiffany’s, but the rest were a mystery. Why would she need a credit account at Tiffany’s? Was expensive jewelry a ‘must have’ in New York society?
“If you need anything at all, I am just a phone call away,” Tammy continued, and handed Jo a cell phone.
It was more like a mini computer, Jo gathered from looking at it. There were many icons on the front screen, and Jo wondered if she would ever figure them out.
“This is your personal planner. You touch the calendar icon to display your daily appointments and meetings,” Tammy demonstrated by touching the calendar. Nothing was listed for today, but she noticed Monday had ‘10 a.m. Board Meeting’ listed. “I am always available if you touch the phone icon on the front that says ‘call Tammy’.” She pushed a little phone icon and within a few seconds, a similar phone in her hand rang. She pushed a button to silence them both.
“Do you have an instruction manual for this thing?” Jo asked, holding up the phone. The bewildered assistant looked at her incredulously.
“I am sure I can find one, Miss Becker, if you wish. I assumed you would allow me to teach you how to use it.”
“Oh, that is okay, Miss Reid—“
“Please, it’s Tammy,” Tammy corrected her.
“Then you have to call me Jo,” Jo responded.
Director Johnson frowned and Tammy gasped. “I’m sorry, Miss Becker. I cannot do that,” Tammy told her. Jo realized that she had asked something inappropriate.
“All right, Tammy. I will wait for you to train me on how to use this. Meanwhile I call you by touching the phone button, and look at my schedule by touching the calendar. Anything else important I need to know right away?”
“No, ma’am. That should do it for now. If you want to go shopping this weekend, call me and I will set it up for you.”
Jo looked at her, puzzled. “Why can’t I just go shopping without it being set up?” Jo asked her.
Tammy looked up at Director Johnson, her eyes pleading for help. Tammy didn’t want to do anything to make her new boss fire her, but she was unclear how to handle Miss Becker.
“That will do it for today, Tammy. We will call you if we need you.” Director Johnson told her. Tammy thanked them and rushed from the room as if she was frightened. Director Johnson turned to Jo. “Miss Becker, I realize that this is not the life you are used to, and you have a lot of adjusting to do. The easiest way to do that is to let us all help you. If you need to do some shopping, Tammy will arrange the limo to be sent, and one of your security team will escort you.” The director stopped for a moment and looked at Jo intently. “I meant to ask, are you satisfied with your current security team? Or would you rather try a different team? I can honestly say that Roberts and Diaz are my two best agents.”
“No, no,” Jo hastened to reassure the director. “Roberts and his team are great. I don’t want a different team.” She paused, and then continued, “I’m sorry to seem so naïve, but I was wondering why I needed a team still? If I stay in the secure penthouse, and ride in the bulletproof limo, why do I still need people to protect me?”
“You forget that you are worth a fortune, Miss Becker