“Knock it off. I’ve got a conference call. I’ll touch base when it’s over.” Kieran hung up.
Kip opened his desk drawer and removed his new Tom Ford specs. He shook his head and dialed Mia Donnelly. “Hey, can you come up to my office?” He followed the call with one to Tobey O’Mara.
The former CIA operator was an enigma to him. Ian asked him to make the offer. Mia’s dad had passed away, and her mom needed care but didn’t want to leave New Orleans. Mia had been flying down every other week. She was too proud to ask Ian to transfer. Kip was no fool—she was a gifted addition to his staff.
“Boss.” Mia stood with Elin until he waved her in.
“Come sit a minute. How are you? Settled?”
She smiled. “Getting there. My niece is flying in, and she’ll take my mom to Houston. Then I’ll be able to focus.”
“You’re sure? If you need to be with her,” Kip said.
“Thank you, but I need to be here, and Mom loves my niece.” She looked down. “Ian asked you to make this job offer.”
“No. He told me your situation and that he’d let you go if you wanted to come. I jumped at the chance to have you as my assistant executive director.”
“I need to thank both of you.” Mia looked at her hands.
“Don’t thank me. You are an important asset to this place. With you and Tobey—there is no way to topple over. Tell me how to use these glasses.” He handed her the pair, a sheepish look on his face.
“Wow, cool. State of the art.” She proceeded to show him.
“Thanks, Mia.”
Tobey joined them.
“The Sommerstones are notifying their staff at 1900 hours they are selling,” Kip said.
“After close of business. Great?” Sarcasm dripped from Tobey’s lips.
“From what I understand, Chase Care filed the intent to purchase in March as a friendly takeover. The Sommerstones issued a statement they were exploring a new future for the corporation. In April, they tried to run from the deal. It was a split board. At that point, Chase Care’s board initiated a hostile takeover.
“Sommerstone Corporation fought with every anti-takeover measure they could afford. When that was exhausted, they made frequent contract changes, and the final delay tactic was stalling the regulatory review.
“In order to do this, Chase Legal assembled a big team of analysts and managers—none worked together. Crash and burn. Kieran made a quick U-turn, but the Sommerstones made more changes.
“Finally, Kieran verbally walked from the deal. Rene called begging. That was seven days ago. The regulatory review came in while we were at lunch. So here we are.
“That’s why we need to put together a preliminary notification to their staff. Requirements to stay, salary schedule, and some of the benefits. We are looking at four thousand personnel I don’t want to leave hanging with no idea of their future. We also need to find evacuation space for non-essential staff and family of essential staff.”
“You got it, Boss,” Tobey said.
Mia frowned. “Why did they suddenly grow cooperative?”
“I’m not sure. Thanks to the Sommerstone’s demands, the acquisition price rose to eight hundred million. With the renovation, supply and staffing issues, we are looking at a one billion dollar investment.
“I’m not signing any paperwork until we have all the requested documents. But with the staff knowing, I’d like to do a walkthrough of each facility before word spreads, otherwise we will be ambushed with questions. I’ll take downstairs. I’ll ask Bruce to look at the Manor. Rich will take the hospital. Tobey, work out a schedule with our physical plant staff. I want generator function, fuel storage and security of the generator evaluated for all our New Orleans assets completed by Saturday. Overtime is approved.”
Chapter 11
“Mmm.” Harper closed her eyes. “I don’t know what they do to get these muffins so gooey. Channy and I have tried.”
“I think they use molasses. But whatever it is, it’ll almost keep my mood up for the rest of our shift. Harp, at the end of the day, I’m going to ask Lourdes for a transfer back to the hospital. It will get me away from these pharmaceutical people. That bimbo Beverly is here. She’s up Jerrold’s ass.” Adelaide took a sip of coffee and a bite of the chocolate muffin.
“You should think about getting out too. I don’t think Jerrold has changed one bit.” Adelaide sighed.
“I’ll think about it.”
