Chapter 119
9:35 AM CST Day four of 1260 Kansas City, Missouri - City Center Meeting Room, 2nd Floor
The meeting was progressing. We had discussed logistics regarding the use of Arrowhead, Royals Stadium and the Sprint Center. Then we covered the Jumbotrons and there placement, and general information regarding how to accommodate five million people. I had noticed that the Colonel said little and continued to stare at me. I looked him over myself, and what I saw was a career military man close to my age or maybe a bit older than me. He had a long face and short, military style gray hair. He had gray eyes and was not really that tall, maybe 5’10” or so. He had a scar running down the left side of his face, which I assumed was from injuries resulting from combat. He was dressed in Army fatigues and boots and sat ramrod straight. There was something about him though that bothered me and I was not sure what it was; but I knew he did interest me.
Madeline, the Mayor, was in her late 50’s, attractive and very intelligent. I thought that the people from the Pendergast machine of the 20s, would all be rolling over in their graves if they knew Kansas City had elected a female Mayor. She was all business and seemed to know her stuff. She was also pleasant and easy to talk to. You could tell she was firm. She had a knack for making sure she got her point across without being overwhelming. Good choice I thought. I would probably have voted for her if I still lived here.
The door opened and our insurance man, Roger, entered.
“I hope I am not interrupting anything?” he said.
Madeline turned to him and said, “No, we were just going over some details. Did you make your call?” she asked.
“Yes ma’am, I did,” as he went over to his seat and sat down.
“And?”
“I spoke with the chairman of the Board of our holding company. He has instructed me to accept the additional premium of a million dollars in lieu of the other amount that was suggested. Therefore, I wanted to pass this on to you and see if I could get it now. Then I will be on my way and you can continue your business.”
“Good Roger, and yes we can take care of that, I assume,” as she looked at me.
Hmm, I thought, she was ready to write out a check for 25 million a few minutes ago, and leave me with the other 75. Now, she wanted me to pay the million.
“Not a problem,” I said to Roger. “But I don’t keep checks with me. If you like,” as I pulled out my wallet, “you can charge it to my bank card and I can get some more air miles.”
“A million dollars on a card?” he asked.
“It’s either that or give my attorney Mark here an invoice and he will fax it to the office today. They can either wire the money or send a check; whichever you would prefer.”
“I can write an invoice,” he said as he opened his briefcase, pulled out a form, and started filling it out.
Madeline then said, “It’s a good time for a break if everyone else is in agreement. Let’s say we meet back here around 10:15 or so.”
We all agreed and the participants started drifting out the door. I looked over at Veronica and asked, “Is it okay, do you think, if I go down to the restaurant. I would like to and get some fresh coffee or something, or am I still a prisoner?” I then pulled a pair of big sunglasses out of my pocket, and put them on. “I got a real good disguise.”
The remaining people, including Roger, the insurance man, laughed. Veronica, smiling, said, “We will go with you Jack,” and off we went.