The Merger Mogul Read online

  Chapter 3

  “Umm, good,” groaned Daniel in pleasure as a pair of strong feminine hands manipulated the tense muscles in his shoulders. They drifted down to his lower back, kneading his muscles on the way down and continued their probing and soothing for another fifteen minutes. Daniel was practically asleep by this time.

  “You were really tense,” the masseuse told him. “Spend fifteen minutes in the sauna and then take a cold plunge in the pool – you’ll feel wonderful.”

  “I feel wonderful already, thanks to you,’ said Daniel, reluctantly getting up from the massage table. He wrapped the towel around his slim hips and headed to the sauna.

  The team was scheduled to get together, in about an hour, to start their session. He hoped he wouldn’t be asleep by then since his body felt like limp spaghetti. He definitely needed that cold plunge to wake him up.

  “Ok team, I hope you enjoyed the massage and sauna as much as I did.” There were murmurs of appreciation all around. Daniel sat with his team of consultants in a conference room they’d rented for this purpose.

  There was Bryan Hardt who had been to law school with him and was one of his few real friends, Ian Bane who was an investment banker, Claire Morgan, an MBA with a specialty in Finance, Benjamin Kreiger, who was a tax specialist and Harold Kellerman, an accountant. All except Ben had been with him for the last four years, when he had to expand the business to handle the work that started flooding his office. Ben joined the group earlier in the year, so this was his first retreat.

  They were a good team – young, bright, ambitious and willing to think outside the box. He paid them well and they were loyal to the company, at least as loyal as most employees could be expected to be these days. Most of them, like him, were married to their work and that’s the way he liked it. The only exception was Harold who had been married for about ten years.

  “As you all know, the M&A market has started to slow down again which tends to happen with a recession. In addition to that the numbers show that a third of the mergers in the past have failed outright (like Shellbury) and almost as many haven’t lived up to their objectives. Bottom line is we need to come up with some new services for the business so that we won’t be so exposed. We’ve got a lot more overheads than when I started out eight years ago so we need some more baskets to put our eggs in, so to speak. Any suggestions?” asked Daniel.

  “Perhaps the best place to start is with what we already have,” suggested Claire. “We can take an inventory of what skills we have in-house and how we can use them differently.”

  “That’s what I was thinking as well,” agreed Daniel. “Then we can determine if we need to bring someone on board to make up our deficiency. That person doesn’t have to be a permanent part of the team either; we can buy in the skills if we need them.”

  “We should probably look at our client list and the contacts we’ve got at our clients and what we know about them since their merger,” offered Brian.

  “Good idea. Claire, can you be the scribe? Who’s going to transcribe this and put it in some sort of order?”

  “Harold!” Everyone else said. They knew their strengths and weaknesses and that was Harold’s strength. He nodded in agreement.

  After they’d been at it for about two hours, Daniel said: “OK! We created an inventory of our skills, listed our clients and the main contacts in their businesses and now we need to find out which ones are having post merger issues by talking with them, figure out what’s causing the issues and how we can help them and ourselves at the same time. Have you got all that Claire?”

  “Yeah, in hieroglyphics. Harold, I may have to translate some of this stuff for you. My arms are aching. Is this a good time for a coffee break, boss?”

  “Yes. There should be a coffee break set up just outside the door. Let’s come back together in 20 minutes.”

  Two hours later, Daniel let himself into his room. His body was still relaxed from the massage but he was mentally exhausted. They had identified some of the issues that they thought could be the cause of post merger problems, but they hadn’t been able to come up with possible strategies to fix them yet. In any case, that would depend on what they found by talking to their clients. His head was now aching again. He had asked the front desk to call him in a couple of hours so that he could get ready for dinner with the team, so he kicked off his shoes, dropped across the king-size bed and was asleep in minutes.

  The sound of the telephone woke him. He groped for the offending instrument and dragged it to his ear, growling “Hello!”

  “Mr. Tennant this is your wake-up call,” said a cheerful voice on the other end.

  “Thanks,” he muttered and hung up. He sat on the side of the bed, rubbed his hands over his face, felt his day-old stubble and headed for the bathroom. Twenty minutes later, freshly shaved and feeling refreshed he was dressed and heading downstairs to the restaurant where the group was meeting for dinner.

  “Here boss!” waved Ben from across the room. He looked refreshed, excited and full of youthful enthusiasm.

  Daniel made his way to the table set for six, followed by several pairs of female eyes, and sat down.

  “Hi, Ben. You’re early. Did you manage to grab some sleep?”

  “Nah, I worked out in the gym and then went for a swim.”

  “Oh, to have half of your energy! What did you think of the retreat?” asked Daniel.

  “It was great! I really enjoyed the way everyone tossed out ideas and no idea was considered too stupid, even my suggestions, though I’m the new kid on the block. And I like the fact that we all bring different skills to the business so that we have a good mix of possible services we can offer.”

  “That was my thought when I started to expand the company. We just need to figure out how to fix the problems in the merged companies and we’ll be smiling all the way to the bank.”

  The rest of the team joined them and they spent the next couple of hours enjoying a good meal and talking about what they needed to do when they got back to the office the following week.

  “I’ll get my part done by Tuesday and e-mail it to everyone,” said Harold.

  “Thanks Harold. Then we can begin to set up meetings with our clients and see what their issues are and what services we can offer them,” said Daniel. “Brian, your idea to focus on our existing clients first makes good sense, since we already have relationships with them and know their business. I’m glad we have this balance in the team because my tendency is always to be looking for newer and greener pastures rather than grazing old grass, excuse the bad pun.”

  “Yeah, we know,” joked Claire, referring to Daniel’s short term relationships with various women. They all laughed as Daniel rolled his eyes and tossed back his gin and tonic.

  “What are you doing for the rest of the weekend, Dan?” asked Bryan. “I can’t believe you let Margaret book you here with us for company on a Friday night.”

  “Margaret is hoping to reform me,” said Daniel, “so I let her have her way tonight since I didn’t feel like fighting through the weekend traffic either. I’ll use the time to rest for a date I have tomorrow night.”

  It was Claire’s turn to roll her eyes. “One day, boss, you’re going to fall hard for someone and you’ll be running to the altar to create your own merger without even having a prenupt and Brian will be running behind you waving one shouting: Daniel, you forgot this!” Everyone was in stitches at the visual Claire described, especially since Bryan, being a lawyer, was always focused on having all the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed before they did anything.

  “The day that happens you’ll know I’ve lost it,” replied Daniel cynically, “so just call the nearest Psych ward to come and pick me up.”

  “Don’t underestimate the power of love!” Claire said, claiming the last word.

  The power of love, Daniel thought remembering Claire’s words as he turned off the Art Deco bedside lamp next to his king-size bed. Love would never have power over him. Acco
rding to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which he remembered studying at university, once you had food, shelter and sex you were off to a good start. He made sure that he had the best of the first two and plenty of the third so he was doing OK. He couldn’t remember all the other levels but he was pretty sure that he’d covered all of them. After all he was successful and had a great life; a luxurious penthouse apartment, a successful business and his choice of beautiful and willing women. What else did he need?

  Chapter 4

  Saturday night at eight o’clock sharp found Daniel stepping off the elevator on Angela’s floor. He found Apt. 9, rang the bell and waited for a few seconds for Angela to open the door.

  “Well hello,” he drawled as she opened the door.

  “Hello yourself.” She stood to one side and said, “Come in. Welcome to my humble abode.”

  Daniel offered the bouquet of flowers and the box of Belgian chocolates he held in his hands and touched his lips to the corner of her mouth as he entered the apartment.

  “These are beautiful, thank you. And I love chocolates.”

  “You are beautiful,” Daniel said. “I like your dress.”

  That wasn’t surprising since Angela had chosen it strategically. It was soft and flowing with a halter top and a scandalous neckline. It was on the dressy side for a dinner at home, but it certainly whet Daniel’s appetite, as it was meant to.

  “Thank you, sir,” said Angela coquettishly as she led him to the sitting room which was lit by vanilla scented candles on the coffee table and on two floating shelves. The room was small compared to the living room in his penthouse apartment, but tastefully furnished in shades of taupe with turquoise accents. The whole atmosphere shouted “Seduction!” which was just fine by Daniel. His body stirred in anticipation.

  “Can I get you a Tanqueray and tonic before dinner?” offered Angela, as Daniel sank into the couch and leaned back against the well-padded arm so that he could see her as she walked to the kitchen.

  “That sounds great,” he replied watching the sway of her hips as she walked and her dark hair bouncing against her bare back.

  “How did the retreat go?” Angela asked as she entered the small kitchen. He could see her through the open partition as she got glasses, ice and poured the drinks; a gin and tonic for him and water for her.

  “It was good – very productive. We came up with some ideas that I hope will take the company to the next level,” said Daniel. “I also got some good rest so I really should thank Margaret for booking us overnight.”

  “I shall have to thank her as well,” smiled Angela as she handed Daniel his drink and joined him on the couch.

  “You’re not drinking?” asked Daniel.

  “I want to keep a clear head so that I don’t ruin the food,” smiled Angela “but I’ll have some wine with dinner.”

  She raised her glass and said: “To the next level.”

  “To the next level,” he repeated and gently knocked his glass against hers. He didn’t have to figure out if she was referring to his company or to them because as soon as they took a sip, she put down her glass and leaned towards him, her body pressing against his chest and resting one hand on his firm thigh. The muscles clenched under her fingers as she nuzzled his lips with hers, tasting the gin and tonic he had just sipped.

  “Yum,” she murmured, “Gin and tonic never tasted so good. I need another taste.”

  He smiled and complied, letting her have her way. It was her apartment and her show and he was willing to be the supporting actor, to a point. Daniel buried his hands in her vibrant hair, holding her head in place as he shared the taste of his gin and tonic and then traced the contours of her back which was left bare by the halter top, feeling her shudder as he did so.

  Riiinnng! The bell for the oven sounded, jolting them back to reality.

  “Sounds like dinner is ready,” whispered Daniel.

  “That’s the main course,” replied Angela, “but I’m enjoying the appetizer.” She reluctantly pulled back. “I’d better take it out before it gets ruined.”

  Daniel picked up his drink and finished it before the ice watered it down too much. “Need any help?” Not that he really knew his way around a kitchen.

  “No thanks, I’ve got everything under control,” replied Angela. She pulled a pan out of the oven and placed it on top of the stove. She took an interesting looking salad out of the fridge and put it on the bar as Daniel sauntered over. Next she took two wide-mouth cocktail glasses with shrimp hanging around the rims from the fridge and finally a bottle of homemade salad dressing.

  “Would you like some wine with dinner? I’ve got this wonderful Pinot Grigio that will go great with the shrimp and salad,” she said waving the bottle.

  “Sounds good,” said Daniel. “Here, I’ll open it for you.”

  He expertly uncorked the bottle and poured generous amounts of wine into the oversized glasses on the bar.

  “Bon appétit,” she said as they clinked glasses for a second time that night.

  “Mm, good wine,” approved Daniel. He leaned towards Angela and sipped at her lips. “Even better,” he said stroking her lips apart. She was breathing a bit faster when he pulled back a few minutes later.

  “We’d better eat or we’ll never make it to the main course, far less dessert,” suggested Angela.

  They sat beside each other at the small bar and sampled their starters. “This is delicious,” said Daniel as he tasted the salad with her homemade dressing. ‘You’re obviously a woman of many talents. I’m looking forward to experiencing some of the others.”

  She smiled seductively and said: “Ditto.”

  The appetizers were followed by the main course of chicken breasts stuffed with chopped mushrooms, herbs and cheeses. They were tender and perfectly cooked and accompanied by crisp vegetables and scalloped potatoes.

  “This is as good as the food at The Bridge Café,” complimented Daniel.

  “Thank you, sir. I’ve done a few gourmet cooking classes and I love to cook,” smiled Angela, obviously pleased. Daniel refilled their glasses.

  “And now for dessert,” said Angela as they finished their meal. She took a plate from the fridge. “I made one plate for us to share – strawberries dipped in dark chocolate.”

  “Mm, my favorite,” said Daniel, “How did you know?”

  “Feminine intuition,” said Angela as she led the way to the couch with the plate of strawberries. “Actually, I asked Margaret yesterday,” she confessed. Daniel followed with the bottle of wine and remarked: “Thorough too!”

  Daniel leaned back against the couch while Angela kicked off her shoes and draped herself across his lap, with one hand free to reach the strawberries. “I’ll feed you,” she offered.

  She popped a small firm chocolate covered strawberry into his mouth. He closed his eyes and savored it and then held her thumb and forefinger and slowly sucked the melting chocolate from them, starting an ache deep inside her.

  “Umm,” she moaned. “Let’s eat the rest later.”

  “I agree,” said Daniel huskily as he picked her up. “Where’s your room?”

  Chapter 5

  Margaret looked up as Daniel pushed open the glass door with Tennant Consulting etched on it. He smiled at the receptionist and waved cheerfully to the staff as he passed their cubicles. He was obviously in a good mood.

  “Good morning, Margaret!” he said with a broad smile that was rare for him at that time of the morning or, truth be told, any time of the day.

  “Good morning,” Margaret replied looking him up and down cautiously. “Who are you and what have you done with my boss?”

  Daniel laughed. “Really Marg, surely I’m not as bad as all that!”

  “I plead the fifth. You look like the cat that ate the canary,” she commented.

  “Or something!” he replied with another smile, heading to his office.

  Margaret rolled her eyes. He was acting like a schoolboy! “I take it your date with Angela went
well.”

  “It was just what the doctor ordered,” he said as he entered his office and closed the door. He turned on his computer and his wall-mounted TV which was always tuned to one of the business channels. While the computer was booting up he checked his Blackberry for appointments. Good, nothing until 10.30. He picked up the copy of the NY Times that Margaret had left on his desk and scanned the financial pages. No earth shattering news today. At least he hadn’t made any comments to offend anyone. Not that he lost any sleep over offending people.

  He was just turning back to his computer when his Blackberry rang. The caller was identified as Angela Pierce.

  “Good morning, Angel,” drawled Daniel on making the connection.

  “Hi, Daniel. Saturday night was amazing! I spent most of yesterday in bed recovering and I’m finding it very hard to concentrate on my work today,” she sighed.

  Daniel laughed huskily. He didn’t have that problem. Work came first with him. “Do you want to go to a show tonight? I have some comp tickets here on my desk for Phantom of the Opera at 9.00. I know you’ve probably seen it already.”

  “No problem. I haven’t seen it recently and never with you. Shall I meet you there?”

  “No I can pick you up around 7.30. That way I can take you back home.”

  “Looking forward to it, Mogul,” said Angela suggestively.

  Daniel smiled, said goodbye and hung up. He was still smiling reminiscently when Margaret came in with his coffee and a serious look on her face.

  “Don’t say it, Margaret,” he cautioned.

  “Don’t say what? I was not going to comment on your empty, self-gratifying love life, although love has nothing to do with it…”