Chapter One
Iwould like to thank the FBI for clearing me of the charges that were brought against me. It shows that my faith in the justice system has not been misplaced,” David Ramesly smiled in satisfaction as he stood in front of a podium, reporters crowding in to ask questions.
“It pleases me to announce that I’ve been reinstated as the head of Ramesly Pharmaceuticals. The first thing I will do is to undo the damage that my son Michael has wrought in our balance sheets. We will cooperate fully with the federal investigation into money laundering. We will weather any fines that are imposed against the company. Ramesly Pharma will continue to strengthen as a business once we move past this. We will continue to provide necessary lifesaving medications to the people you love. We will continue our all-important research work to create leading data to treat and cure conditions and diseases that affect so many people.”
The reporters bombarded him with questions. David held up his hands. “Please, one at a time.”
“Was it the board decision unanimous?” a reporter asked.
“No,” David had an apologetic look. “There were a couple of people who felt that personal vendettas were more important than the health of the company.”
“How do you feel about your son Noah’s resignation?” another questioned.
“Noah has a young growing family with five sons,” David said diplomatically. “I will miss working with my son, but he believes that it is more important to take time with my grandchildren at this point in his life.”
“Some sources claim that Noah’s resignation was a direct result of your being re-elected to the board,” a reporter stated.
“I have a great love for all my sons,” David responded. “We don’t always agree on everything and I am saddened by my oldest, Michael’s actions which has caused such instability in Ramesly Pharma. Rest assured, I will be bringing the company forward into a strong future. Thank you for your time.”
David smoothed down his tie as he left the stage, reporters clamoring after him.
“Stocks for Ramesly Pharmaceuticals have trended upward on the news of David Ramesly’s return to the helm of the company,” the business news anchor said on the television screen. “Stocks had previously sunk perilously low after the arrests of mogul David who was later cleared of all charges against him. Michael Ramesly continues to remain in custody, awaiting trial. He’s been charged with international drug smuggling and laundering drug money through Ramesly Pharmaceutical.
“Noah Ramesly released his own statement earlier today.”
Noah appeared on the screen behind the anchor. He read his carefully prepared statement from a sheet of paper. “I was dismayed and discouraged to learn that the board was considering returning my father, David Ramesly, as head of the board of Ramesly Pharmaceuticals. It is my firm belief that this is not the direction the company should take. It is short sighted to trade stability of share prices for the leadership of a man who I believe to be guilty of the original charges levelled against him by the FBI. As a result, I have handed in my resignation. I reiterate my position that Michael is innocent. Thank you for your time.”
“Maxwell Ramesly also released a statement on the return of his father to the company,” the anchor informed viewers.
Max sighed deeply on screen. “I believe it was an illegal vote that brought my father back into the Ramesly Pharmaceutical fold. While the vote was publicized to all members, not all members could attend because of extenuating circumstances. If all members had been able to attend, the motion would never have passed. As a result, I am also resigning from the board as a show of solidarity with my brother Noah.”
“Why couldn’t all members be at the meeting?” a reporter asked Max. “What could be considered extenuating circumstances? Couldn’t the vote be made in absentia?”
“Normally a vote would be made in absentia during an emergency meeting of the board,” Max explained patiently. “However, Ann Schaeffer Ramesly, who owns a controlling thirty percent of the vote was aware of the meeting despite repeated attempts to contact her. Ann could not be reached to give her vote because she was in labor at the time.”
“Will Ann be resigning from the board as well?” another reporter wanted to know.
“I am not going to speak for Ann. However, I will be pursuing all avenues to have the meeting investigated to determine if it is illegal,” Max told them. “Thank you, I’m done answering questions.”
The anchor brought on a consulting specialist to discuss the news regarding the company.
Molson shut off his phone. He didn’t care if Ramesly Pharma stocks tanked or rose.
He did care that David Ramesly had been restored to his previous position like nothing had happened. It made him angry because the man deserved to be in jail.
Molson knew that because David had basically confessed to him that he had framed Michael. Part of the conversation was recorded on Molson’s phone.
“I wanted to thank you,” the voice said.
Molson stumbled to a stop on the steps, grabbing the railing. He gripped the phone a little harder before asking cautiously, “What for?”
“For what you said to the psychiatrist,” David Ramesly continued. “Telling her to inform on us to save herself.”
“You’re not gonna hurt her or nothing, are you?” Molson looked around the empty stairwell.
“No. There’s no point. Dr. Urshman can’t touch me,” David chuckled. “Neither can Bethany. It was her father that was so worried about her. Now neither Ted nor his daughter can touch me. I suppose you can tell your brother his heart’s desire is safe.”
“What do you mean by Ted can’t touch you?” Molson activated the voice recorder on his phone. He hoped that it would make a clear recording from the call.
