Michael,” Hamilton said, “We can’t have you at risk for this business.”
Hamilton waited, measuring the heart of his attorney!
“It takes more than a slashed tire for this Brooklyn boy, and lawyers are famous for taking the heat; we love the kitchen!” he said
The lone dinner thought, “We’ll burn yours down you Hymie prick”.
“We have drawn the line in the sand, and it is the right thing to do, but we are not above making political contributions, Michael, as long as they are not onerous or illegal!” Thad told him.
The lone dinner, scribbled the word, onerous as best he could. Was it like fiduciary?
Pearlman went on, “Surely you understand that political extortion is a way of life in these counties, and most especially Lake County. Remember, all the real crooks fled Gary in the 60’s with the white flight. These are the heir apparent to guys who bury their victims in waste dumps, under run- ways, or just anchor them to the bottom of Lake Michigan where the catfish make quick work of their bodies.”
“They don’t bother me. They’re the nickel and dimmers seeking a spot in the penny ante game. My concern is not the under card, but the main event, the heavyweights who make their home across the street from your office, Michael, they are the operatives that do concern me!” Hamilton said.
The lone dinner made a note!
Pearlman sat his fork down, politely wiped his mouth with the impeccably pressed napkins with the logo of the Republican Party. He glanced around the room at all those muscle marked up captains of industry, power- lunching on the morsels of economic delight.
The lone dinner was gone!
Pearlman said, “We wait for the thrust, my friend!”
It wasn’t long in coming. Thad’s private unlisted phone rang about 11:15 pm. Thad reached for the phone and glanced at Eleanor. She didn’t move.
He listened as the caller had asked him to do. The caller told Hamilton factiously that he too had to remain anonymous, just as Pearlman had requested. Thad tried to interrupt.
“Listen smart-ass, you and that tight ass lawyer got one chance, and only one chance to wise up. We saw you and your shyster lawyer at lunch. We know all about Mid-West Engineers, and your children’s school. You’re fond of those kids, aren’t you?”
Now Thad was frightened, at the mention of his kids, and he got very angry!
“Wait a minute, you bas…” Thad tried to get into the discussion, but the caller cut him short.
“You don’t make the ‘A’ team without practice and sweat on the balls. Get me? This ingenious little plan you and your wise guys have developed will work under only one scenario. You be in the Capitol rotunda at noon tomorrow, wise guy, and you’ll get the recipe!”
“But how will I know…”? Thad asked.
“We know you, dickhead!”
The dial tone lasted until the recorded operator said, “If you wish to make a call, hang up…”
Thad complied.
Thad immediately called the partners and Michael Pearlman to inform them of the call and the impending rendezvous at the Capitol. A meeting was arranged at Pearlman’s office at 7:30 am.
Eleanor, awaken by the call, brought Thad a glass of sherry. She thought he needed some color. He would need more than sherry Thad thought; maybe he should dust off the Smith & Wesson! But at that hour, sweet Eleanor had other ideas, she brushed off Erectus and he rose to the occasion.
“Do you remember when we were in West Palm Beach last February Thad?”
She inquired.
“Yes, wasn’t that when you were just so horney, I thought I would have to call in the recruits’” he laughed.
“Thad…my darling, my sweetheart, my main man, my only squeeze…this language of yours is the only flaw in your beautiful armor. I am praying that it is not genetic. I am a lot of things but I am not ever in horney, in heat, in ache…I am in fact, madly in love with you and blessed that you happened into my life.
“I was so turned on when we made love on the beach…by the pier,” she said.
“Something about doing it in public…there against the backdrop of raw nature…the waves pounding…my heart keeping time…your sweet breath on my cliterous…I was driven wild by just the thought of you…I could have climaxed with you across the street…but you are maddening…you wicked man…you know that?” she cooed.
What a woman…just what the doctor ordered. She sensed a moment of need in this man she adored and filled it with an emotion unique to the species. They made love and Hamilton forgot about the call…later they slept like babies cradled in the arms of warmth and love.
At the early morning meeting which had been arranged after the call, Thad informed all of each detail of the phone conversation: its ugly, threatening mood, coupled with the Pearlman’s tire-slashing episode at Lake County gave pause to all and the opportunity to discover something of the character and intent of the partners. Regardless of all its implications for the community, it was obvious that the politicians were not going to let go of the spoils without a major fight, and everyone within earshot of Lake County knew most political fights produce casualties. Arms are broken, reputations are ruined but the politicians make appropriate excuses and they rarely lose when it comes to the exchange of cash.
Dr. Belini was in favor of forgetting about the deal. His position could have been expected. He was a tenured professor and mentor of Prolano, now on sabbatical with every intention to return to teaching. A brilliant and respected academian, who had stepped outside the embryonic environment of the university at the insistence of Prolano. The opportunity, he had envisioned, for his dear friend to put classroom theory into practice in the field… and, at the very least provide the laboratory for revealing research on the real world which could be translated into a published work. Satisfying forever the requirement, albeit understated…that a professor must publish or perish!
“Don’t get me wrong, I think what has been devised is brilliant and the most practical application for a quasi-business/government relationship for the ultimate good of the community, but maybe we should try it in a county less well-known for violence… nothing is worth these kinds of criminalistic threats!” he said.
Prolano was less inclined to let go.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime; it’s a brilliant plan for our careers, the community and the state. Surely, there is some way we can make it less difficult for the ward pros and political bosses to accept.”
“Are you willing to take a chance with the County Council naming the construction component or the plant’s management team?” Pearlman inquired of no one in particular.
“I’d be happy if we could salvage what we have been licensed to do, and has been our professional goal…doing the engineering,” Prolano said.
“Prolano and I”…Belini coughed, emotionally charged, finding difficulty speaking, “and I would as well…you know Thad and Mr. Pearlman, we are both so very grateful for your effort…this
