Young barely had a chance to write down the number provided before the call was terminated. He decided to contact the other business that Jun had referred to him before pursuing this "representative" character.
"East-West Imports. May I help you?" Again the accent of the person answering the phone did not meet Young's expectations. This time he started out with English.
"Put Park on the phone," Young ordered.
"I'm sorry, do you want me to put the phone on hold?"
Young was losing his temper, which had a short fuse to begin with. "Put the owner, Dae Park on the phone!" he screamed
"Sir, I believe you have been misinformed. The owner's name is not Park."
"Since when?" asked Young, losing some of his bravado.
"I wouldn't know sir, but there is a representative of the new owner available to speak with you at 678-438-0987."
This time Young terminated the call. He considered informing Jun Kim of these developments, but then decided he should have more information first. He dialed the number provided to him.
"G'Day, this is Elliott Greer."
The accent of this person really confused Young because he couldn't distinguish whether it was British, Australian, or maybe even New Zealander.
"My name is Kai Young with Tri-Star Partners..."
"Good afternoon Mr. Young. I have been expecting your call."
"Why have you been expecting my call?" asked Young. "How do you know me?"
"I don't know you, Mr. Young," replied Greer. "I know of Tri-Star Partners and expected a call from someone in the organization once the acquisitions of the companies you manage became known to you."
"What do you mean? You cannot buy companies managed by Tri-Star Partners without our approval. It is in the management contract," replied Young.
"I'm afraid you need to read your contracts a little closer next time, Mr. Young. They clearly stipulate that sale or transfer of ownership requires approval by Tri-Star except when the purchaser is a foreign individual or corporation. Your lawyers were smart enough to place that clause in the contract so they would not violate numerous free-trade agreements that the United States is signatory to, and since the company I represent is a foreign corporation, our actions are very defensible in any court of law, here or there."
"Is your life worth owning a chain of laundromats and a small import-export business?" asked Young.
"No worries Mr. Young. G'Day."
While Kai Young held a disconnected cell phone in his hand, Elliott Greer used his own phone to send an e-mail to Amanda Wallace updating her on his conversation and on their progress with other Tri-Star Partner accounts. Elliott had anticipated the Korean owned businesses to be the most willing to accept the offer of acquisition by Wallace Holdings and he had been right. The traditional oriental owned business seldom employed anyone not in the immediate family, which placed them all in greater risk when gangs started extorting money through threats and intimidation. Offering these family businesses a way to get out from under the threat, while providing them the resources required to relocate or start a new venture was just too good for them to pass up. Reports from his team were that all but one of the Korean owned businesses had accepted the offer within hours, and the remaining one was simply waiting for one of the family members to return from a trip to Charlotte before also accepting.
Tri-Star partners would soon learn that more than sixty percent of the targeted accounts had been acquired by Wallace Holdings in a single day, and Elliott anticipated that his team would exceed a ninety-five percent success rate or better after two days. The business owners on the target list purposely excluded any of the known accounts of Tri-Star Partners controlled by DeMarcus Steele. This fact would also become very clear to the three partners very quickly.
The American and Hispanic business owners contacted so far were controlled by Kim or Mota and all had been very receptive of the offer, but most were more circumspect and cautious in their deliberations. Several claimed that they wanted time to verify the validity of the offer, but Elliott suspected these owners wanted to seek the counsel of a spouse or other trusted advisor prior to accepting. Tomorrow would be a busy day for Tri-Star Partners.
***
"Are we okay meeting here?" asked Sean.
Rick Acosta understood Sean's concern. They were sitting in a conference room at the Mitchell County Sherriff's office in Camilla, approximately five miles from the Jimmy Autry Correctional Institute.
"We're good. You are a property owner who is a victim of arson which may be related to an ongoing Federal investigation. No one will question why you and I are meeting here.
"Okay then," said Sean. "Fill me in what you've learned.
Acosta spent the next fifteen minutes detailing the information he had been provided and answering Sean's questions.
"How reliable do you rate this information?" asked Sean.
"Highest reliability," said Rick Acosta. "Most of it came from guards at the prison, but the details we really need came from an undercover FBI agent who has infiltrated the Black gang run by Ellis inside the place."
"Their proximity to Constance Lake could prove beneficial..." thought Sean aloud. He looked at the clock on the wall, which read just after five thirty in the afternoon. "I can definitely be there before nightfall."
"Will you need my assistance?" asked Acosta.
"Just where we've already discussed about the prison schedule," replied Sean. "Other than that, keeping the locals distracted with the on-going investigation should be enough."
"You won't need help with any clean-up?"
"No," confirmed Sean. "I already have plans on how to keep everything covert. I had a lot of practice disguising black mission activities so the enemy never suspected that the events were targeted against them. The same principles can be utilized to disguise my actions from local authorities."
"Okay then," said Acosta. "The Ford F250 with the camper shell in the parking lot has everything you requested. Here are the keys. Leave it wherever is convenient and I'll arrange for it to be returned."
Rising from his chair and heading out of the conference room, Sean asked over his shoulder, "Does the truck have hands-free Bluetooth?"
Following Sean out of the conference room towards the building exit, Acosta chuckled, "Not likely. You requested something at least ten years old."
Locating the truck and approaching it, Sean pulled an earpiece out of his shirt pocket, "No problem, I brought my own. Expect my call between midnight and one. Thanks again."
Acosta simply nodded as he shook Sean's hand and then walked away towards his own car. Sean unlocked the cab of the truck and climbed behind the wheel.
The truck's interior was significantly cleaner than the exterior, which suited Sean just fine. Knowing he would have little time before losing cell coverage on the drive south, he called Amanda before pulling out of the parking lot.
"Hi Sean!" Amanda's voice and obvious excitement over his calling brought a lump to Sean's throat. He hated being away from her.
"Hi Amanda. I probably have only a few minutes before the cell signal gets flaky, so I wanted to spend it with you if you can fit me in."
"You are, and will always be my priority Mr. Wallace. Is everything going to plan so far?"
"As you know, my plans were fluid pending the information that Rick Acosta was able to obtain. What he provided has definitely allowed me to firm the plans up. I intend to gather more information tonight which should finalize my plans for the remainder of the operation. How is your plan holding up?"
"Oh Sean, things couldn't be going better. Elliott is having great success and I expect fireworks to start at Tri-Star Partners within a day or two. I doubt that any of them will be thinking of anything other than each other, which should leave your path clear. Is there anything further I can do to assist you?"
"Just stay safe and keep your security close. I don't want to be worried about you."
"I'll keep my promise, Sean. I understand your concerns and I won't do anything that runs contrary to what you and I have already agreed to where security for me or anyone else is concerned. Trust me."
"I do trust you, Amanda. If you can arrange it, I can probably move my base of operations back to the Atlanta area day after tomorrow. Can you get setup to work at Prestonwood for a couple of days later this week?"
"Of course, Sean. Would you want me to fly down or drive?"
"Probably best to fly because that would make things more flexible from a timing perspective. Is Jeannie Sexton still on call for you up there?"
"She is," answered Amanda. "I can have Samuel pick me up in Atlanta when I arrive."
"Run this by Gail Bennett and make sure she is okay with security for you during the trip. If she has any concerns or suggestions, please share them with me the next time we talk."
"As you wish, Sean. Please call me whenever it is most convenient for you. Don't worry about waking me or interrupting anything. Will you agree to do that?"
"That's a deal, my love. In fact, I'll probably call you before breakfast just to hear your voice again. I miss you."
"I miss you too, Sean. Please take care of my guy and I'll keep taking care of your girl."
"Consider it done, Amanda. I love you."
"I love you too Sean. Talk to you soon."
***
Stephan Mota saw the two police officers entering the restaurant on one of the cameras in his office but didn't give their arrival a second thought. It was not uncommon for local law enforcement officers to eat their meals in his restaurant, and since it was just past the busiest dinner time, it was natural that these officers would pick this time for their own meals.
When there was a knock on his office door a few minutes later, Mota opened it to see his bodyguard flanked by the two officers. There was a third man in a business suit who Mota had taken no notice of previously entering the building.
"Yes?" Mota inquired to his bodyguard.
One of the officers answered before the bodyguard, "Stephan Mota?"
"I am Stephan Mota. How may I assist you officer?"
"Actually sir, it's Deputy. Deputy John Marin. This is my partner Deputy Franks, and this is Levi Acker representing the owner of this property."
Levi Acker stepped around Deputy Franks and presented a document to Stephan Mota. Mota took the document as Acker spoke, "Mr. Mota you have just been served with an eviction notice. You have until the end of the month to vacate this property."
Mota glanced down at the document and chuckled, "You can't evict me. I have a lease..."
Acker interrupted him, "The terms of your lease allow new ownership the right to modify, or terminate at any time. My client has chosen to exercise the option to terminate your lease."
"There is no new owner because a transfer of ownership would require approval of Tri-Star Partners, the management agent for the owner of this property, and I can assure you that such approval has not, and will not be granted."
Acker extracted a folded document from his inside suit coat pocket and presented it to Mota. "Do you recognize this document, Mr. Mota?"
After only a brief glance at the document's front page, Mota smiled and said, "Of course I do. It is the management contract between Paramount Properties and Tri-Star Partners that I just mentioned." Turning a few pages, Mota continued, "I bring your attention to Paragraph eight, Sub-Section two, which clearly states that transfer of ownership or sale of Paramount Properties requires approval of Tri-Star Partners."
Mota attempted to hand the document back, but Acker held up his hand and said, "Please read Paragraph eleven, Sub-Section six Mr. Mota."
Mota turned to the relevant section and quickly read it. He looked puzzled when he raised his eyes again to meet Acker's. "The 'Foreign Person Clause'?"
Acker nodded. "Per Section 26, subtitle 7701 of the US Code, Foreign persons includes individuals who are not U.S. citizens or resident aliens, corporations organized outside the United States, and nonresident estates and trusts. My client meets this definition under the law, and the Judge signing the eviction order just presented to you had no difficulty ruling that the sale of Paramount Properties did not require approval under the management agreement with Tri-Star Partners."
Mota turned and retrieved the eviction notice from the bookshelf next to the door where he had placed it. Quickly finding the relevant line, he saw that a Gwinnett County Judge had in fact signed the order. Not just any Judge, however. Mota recognized the signature of Lucero Menéndez.
"Who is the foreign person who bought Paramount Properties?" asked Mota. "I would like to discuss this transaction with him. Perhaps we can come to some arrangement that would allow me to keep my restaurant at this location."
"I will let my client know of your interest in discussing the transaction, but I would not delay making arrangements to vacate this property by the end of the month."
A smiled returned to Mota's face as he said, "I can be quite persuasive, Mr. Acker."
"So can Amanda Wallace," replied Acker. The smile fell from Mota's face as Levi Acker and the two Deputies turned and left his soon to be closed restaurant.
Mota closed the door to his office and returned to his desk with both the eviction notice and the Paramount Properties management agreement in his hands. Placing them in separate locations on the surface, he glanced between the two documents for several minutes reviewing in his mind the interaction he had just had with Levi Acker.
The management agreement was boilerplate. He had drafted it himself soon after Kim, Steele and he had decided to form Tri-Star Partners. He had assumed correctly that the threats of physical harm to the business owners or their families carried more weight in maintaining control than the words on the management agreement, and it was through confidence in his and his partner's methods of intimidation that he had relied. He realized now that someone, maybe even Amanda Wallace as Acker had mentioned, had persuaded the owner of Paramount Properties, Greg Torrance that once the company was sold Tri-Star would pose no threat. Well, if he needed to set an example for other business owners, Greg Torrance would see how wrong he was to use some legal loop-hole to escape Stephan Mota.
First, however Mota wanted to have a conversation with Judge Menéndez. He pulled a throw-away cell phone from his desk and dialed a number from a card in his Rolodex.
"Good evening Stephan. I'm glad to see that you are thinking straight enough to use these phones," answered Gwinnett County Judge Menéndez on his own similar cell phone.
"You've got some explaining to do Lucero. After all I have done to get you elected and then keep you there for the past eight years..."
"What did you do Stephan?" interrupted Menéndez. "I have never seen such enmity directed towards a company as I am seeing with Tri-Star Partners and for me to be caught up in it due to our association. You have apparently made a very powerful enemy, my friend."
"What are you talking about, Lucero? I want to know why you agreed to approve the sale of Paramount Properties and then signed the eviction order for my restaurant."
"I had no choice, Stephan. Since this afternoon, when I initially refused to meet with the lawyers representing the new owner of Paramount Properties, I now have the Justice Department pouring over my campaign finances for the past three elections, and have the threat of a complete judicial review hanging over my head. The Bar Association has already scheduled a hearing for next week on ethics violations, so I ask you again, Stephan, what did you do?"
"I'll let you know when I figure it out," said Mota. "Do you agree that these actions seem extreme to gain ownership of Paramount Properties? What is the attraction?"
"You seriously don't know?" asked Menéndez.
"I already told you I don't know..."
"I'm not talking about knowing why this is happening," interrupted the Judge. "I'm talking about knowing the scope of what has happened."
"I don't understand," admitted Mota.
"Stephan, while I was being threatened in chambers over signing the eviction order, my own Clerk was being used to notarize the title transfers for every business in Gwinnett County managed by Tri-Star Partners. Stephan, the same person who acquired Paramount Properties and is having you evicted has gained ownership of all the businesses you manage, at least in Gwinnett County. I can't speak for DeKalb, Fulton or the other surrounding counties, but it would not surprise me if that was also the case in these."
"Mi Dios," moaned Mota. "Who is this man, Lucero?"
"It is not a man, my friend. Her name is Amanda Wallace."
***
Amanda picked her ringing cell phone up from the floor beside where she and Merlin had been playing with one of his rope toys. Realizing it was still too early for Sean's next phone call, she smiled when she saw the number displayed on the screen. How predictable Mr. Steele was.
"Hello," Amanda answered, implying that she didn't already know who was calling at this late hour.
"Good evening, Mrs. Wallace. This is DeMarcus Steele. I apologize for calling so late..."
"Oh don't apologize, and please call me Amanda,"
"Only if you call me DeMarcus." Steele had been vacillating all day on which persona he wanted to use when he finally responded to Amanda Wallace's request for a phone call. He was undecided up to the time when he dialed her number, when his professional Black gentleman persona won out.
"I would be honored, DeMarcus. Thank you for responding to my message. I was afraid that after our last conversation that you would be unreceptive to us arranging to meet in person."
"Not at all, Amanda," Steele threw in a forced chuckle. "I was thrilled to get you message, and I am even more thrilled at the prospect of finally meeting you. Did you have any date or location in mind, or would you like me to suggest something?"
"I am so glad to hear that, DeMarcus. If you are free tomorrow, I would love for you to be my guest for lunch. Would that be convenient for you?"
"Just name a place and time, Amanda. I will be there."
"Oh wonderful! If you could be at Peachtree-DeKalb Airport tomorrow at 11AM, I will have a jet arranged to fly you up here. We'll have much more privacy at my home here than in some restaurant."
"That sounds nice, Amanda." It was anything but nice since it would mean his chance to capture this Bitch would likely have to wait, but he maintained his charade. "Was there anything in particular that you want to discuss over lunch?"
"Most definitely, DeMarcus. The subject of a certain shipment was raised during our last conversation. You may not be aware of this, but I know where the shipment is, and I would like you to consider allowing me to buy the entire shipment from you. I'm sure I could meet your price if we can come to terms on the transaction."
Steele hadn't thought he could get more intrigued by Amanda Wallace, but now he was. "What about Sean Wallace?" he asked.
"What about Sean?" Amanda replied.
"Will he be joining us for lunch?"
Amanda forced her own chuckle this time, "Oh heavens no. Sean is out hunting or trapping, or something. Plus, he isn't really interested in such dealings as this. Sean is an excellent hunter, and an exceptional businessman, but he is not quite a 'husband' if you catch my meaning. It will be just you and me if that's alright with you DeMarcus."
"I'm sure you and I can have a very enjoyable time alone together," DeMarcus said. Was he hearing this Bitch right?
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