Friends and Family Series
The Dirk Devlin Story
By:
Ron Robbins
(© 2011 by the author)
Editor:
Frank Perry
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent. Comments are appreciated at...
Chapter 6
Dirk was delighted when his travel agent was able to book him on the four o'clock flight into JFK. This allowed him to then catch the commuter flight out to Suffolk County Airport. He wanted to surprise Brett when he arrived home. Brett was not happy with Dirk spending so much time on the road, even though Dirk was traveling around to his oil refineries.
However, with this trip out of the way, Dirk would be able to spend more time at home, at least for the next three months. He knew Brett and Molly would be happy when he told them of his new reorganization plan. Finally, he has succeeded in streamlining the management staff at Harcourt Oil. The hard part was behind; now all he needed was to pull all the figures together for the Board. Dirk knew Brett was not going to be happy about dumping the Board and felt confident that Molly and Brett would support his plan. Brett was too nice for his own good and had no stomach to fire anyone, not even for just cause. Business was business, and Dirk did not allow sentiment to interfere with sound business judgment. Anyway, he was fed up with the Board trying to block them at every turn. They needed new blood on the Board, not this bunch of conservative thinkers who were left over from Brett Sr.'s days. Brett had bent over backwards to keep the Board happy, but Dirk was going to put an end to it.
Finally, he felt confident that he could handle the job as President of Harcourt Oil. He was excited about the reorganization and at the prospects of building a stronger company. He was not going to let this Board push Brett around any longer. He wanted to pick his own Board.
The only part of the job he regretted was the trips that kept him away from Brett and the kids. Being a family man, he loved his family and being home every night.
Dirk was working at his desk in the library when Robert tapped lightly on the open door.
"Yes, Robert?"
"Master Dirk, there's a police officer in the foyer asking to see you, sir."
Dirk had a soft spot for the Police Department and gladly gave his financial support for their fund drives. Therefore, he was not surprised when an officer came to call. "Good evening, officer, what worthy cause can I help you with tonight?" Dirk could sense from the policeman's attitude that this call was not for a charity drive. He recognized that look on the police officer's face. He had that same somber look when he had made similar calls as a police officer. An alarm had sounded in his brain and his whole body tensed waiting for an answer. The officer tried his best to soften the blow, but there was no way easy way to report bad news.
"Mr. Harcourt, I regret to inform you that your brother, Brett Harcourt, and his pilot were killed two hours ago when his plane crashed into Long Island Sound. The bodies have been recovered by your own security people and they have positively identified them as your brother and his pilot. I was dispatched to give you the bad news in person."
The blow hit Dirk hard. He did not respond right away. In a hardly audible voice, he thanked the officer and saw him out. Dirk walked slowly back to the library. Robert followed him and could see that he was in shock. Robert rang Molly on the house phone and asked her to come down immediately.
Molly rushed into the library, took one look at Dirk and turned to Robert, "What happened, Robert?"
"I don't know," Robert said. "A policeman spoke to him for a few minutes and left."
Molly walked over to Dirk and shook him. "What did that policeman tell you? For God's sake, say something, Dirk."
"He's dead, Molly, Brett is gone!"
"Oh, my God, not Brett, please God . . . not my baby. Robert, call the doctor. Then help me to take Dirk up to his bedroom suite; he is in shock."
Dirk sat in the armchair by the fireplace in a catatonic state. He stared at the logs burning in the fireplace. The doctor found him in that state when he arrived. He examined him and gave him a shot that would knock him out. Robert undressed him and got him into bed.
Dirk thrashed and groaned the entire night. He awoke at five the following morning still groggy from the medication. The reality of last night's tragic news slowly crept back into his brain when he woke up alone in their bed. "It wasn't a bad nightmare after all;" he said to himself, the nightmare was the real thing. The wonderful life they shared together was over. Dirk wanted nothing more than to be alone to mourn his tragic loss, but he knew Molly and the children would need him now more than ever before. He would have to do his mourning after this was all over. He showered, dressed and visited the children in the nursery before joining Molly for breakfast. He stopped in the library to begin the unpleasant task that lay ahead. His first call was to his secretary asking her to drive out to Harcourt Hall to handle all his calls. He asked her to contact the Public Relations Director and have him handle all inquiries from the corporate end.
His next call was to Mike Lee. Dirk hired his firm to investigate the crash, regardless of what the FAA or the law enforcement agency did. He returned Mac's call and accepted his offer of help.
Ian Ramsey, Brett's security chief walked into the library.
"What the hell happened, Ian?"
"I wish I had the answers for you, but I don't know," Ian said. His eyes began filling with tears as he spoke. He cleared his throat and continued, "I checked that helicopter over very carefully before the boss took off last night, and it was clean. Last night I drove Brett to the bird and waited until he took off. The reason I was not on that flight with him last night was because he insisted that I drive your new present home."
"Relax, Ian, sit down," Dirk said. "I'm sorry I shouted. Thank God you were not with them. Do me a favor; keep his gift out of my sight for now. I will lose it for sure, if I were to see it now. I'm going to need every ounce of strength to get through the next few weeks."
"I'll need to get away by myself after the funeral. Make sure everything is secure and in order at Harcourt Place. Find an all-around houseman who can come in and take care of everything. As soon as this is over, I plan to head for Harcourt Place."
"Everything will be ready for you," Ian said.
"Get together with Mike and find a replacement helicopter and a qualified pilot. We also are going to need to develop a better security system to prevent this from happening again. Think about building a hanger on the estate to house our helicopters. I'll call Alex Savage, at Stonewall Engineering and let him handle that. I'm appointing you as my chief of security," Dirk said.
Dirk called Robert in and instructed him to assemble the entire staff in the den. A few minutes later Robert was back. "The staff is the den, sir."
Dirk walked into the den with Robert. "I called you all together to thank you for your condolences and for your loyalty to Brett. These next few weeks are going to be hard for all of us, and in particularly for my mother. We have suffered a tragic loss and we must do all we can to comfort one another at a time like this. Try to maintain a calm and pleasant atmosphere for my mother and the children. Be particularly alert to any strangers wandering about the house. You are to stay alert at all times and report anything out of the ordinary to Ian. I've appointed him to handle all security matters for the family from now on, so please cooperate with him. Again, thank you all."
Dirk left and headed back to the library. He placed a call to the funeral director and arranged for them to pick up Brett's body from the coroner and to schedule the viewing at the funeral home. "I want the burial scheduled for Tuesday right after the eleven o'clock church ceremony. The actual internment will be a private service for family and friends. Donations may be made to the Brett Harcourt Scholarship Foundation."
Next, he called Brett's attorneys to set up a Scholarship Foundation in Brett's memory and instructed them to handle the release of Brett's body to the funeral director. He also asked that the attorney handling Brett's estate meet with him that afternoon.
Molly walked into the library and asked that Dirk join her in the morning room. He rose and kissed her on the cheek, put his arm around her waist and walked with her into the morning room.
"I'm so sorry, Molly. I was heading for the morning room until I was waylaid by a telephone call. Forgive me for not being here for you last night. It will not happen again. My brain could not take the shock. I had spoken to Brett before he left the office. He was all excited about a wonderful surprise he had for me. Now, of course, I'll never know."
"You've got to let go, Dirk," Molly said. "I can see the pain in your eyes, don't fight it. You are not a machine. I'm worried about you. I have never seen you like this before. If you don't accept Brett's death, you will have a breakdown. The children and I need you, Dirk. You're all the family I have left and I couldn't bear to lose you too."
"Molly, I will do my grieving for Brett after he is laid to rest Tuesday; in the meantime I must do what is necessary. I've asked our attorneys to drop by this afternoon to read Brett's Trust. to save us the trouble. As unpleasant as that is, I must know how Brett wanted me to handle his affairs. The calls are pouring into the office and I must have answers for these people."
"I'm beefing up our security from now on, Molly, I don't feel that crash was an accident and I'm having it investigated by our own people."
"Why would anyone want to kill Brett?"
I told her of the plot to take control of Harcourt Oil Company.
"My God, they would take my son's life for a company they can never control?" Molly asked. "Brett and I own the company, how could anyone think they could get control, even if we both died?"
"It's really quite easy, Molly. They would see to it that their people were promoted into strategic positions in the company. Once that was done, they would take control of the company from within, eventually forcing you to sell the company."
"If we discover that the crash was deliberate, I promise you that I will hunt down every man responsible and destroy him for killing Brett. I hate whoever is responsible for this and I'll never rest until Brett's murder is avenged."
"Promise me that you will not let this hatred become a crusade, Dirk. You have the children to consider now and they come first. The funeral arrangements are acceptable with me. I would like to have this all behind me. I don't want anyone returning to Harcourt Hall after the service. We can hire one the restaurants in town for the buffet after the service. I couldn't face any well-wishers here."
Saturday Afternoon
The attorneys arrived and were shown into the drawing room. Molly and Dirk were waiting for them. After the introductions, the senior partner wasted no time in getting down to business. He opened his briefcase, removed a rather bulky folder, and began to read Brett's Trust and the Last Will and Testament contained in it.
"To my brother, Dirk Harcourt, I leave my entire estate and guardianship of my children. In the event of his sudden death, my estate will revert to our children and be held in trust until they reach maturity.
"Mr. Harcourt, your brother addresses this section of his Last Will and Testament to you.
"Dirk, my estate consists of all my worldly possessions and the residual of the estate left to me by my father. My attorneys will instruct you on all the details and the full extent of this estate.
"I know your feelings about making your Last Will and Testament, Dirk, but you now have a heavy responsibility to my mother and the children. They must be protected at all costs. I have instructed our attorneys to help you update your Trust and all Documents therein. I know you will understand my reasoning after you read the attached documents my lawyer will hand you today.
"It is my wish that you succeed me as Chairman of Harcourt Oil, and to continue the investigation I started four years ago. If you elect not to take over my duties, or if you wish to step down, I ask that you chair the committee to select my replacement.
"Should you and Mother decide to sell the company, I ask that you consult with our good friend, Mac Stevens. Mac has my complete trust.
"My lawyer has an envelope addressed to each of you. I've also recorded several video tapes and DVDs over the past two years for the children. This will serve as a visual record for them so that they would know who I was. Young children tend to forget quickly and they may wish to see the tapes and videos when they are older."
The lawyer closed the folder, "That concludes the reading of the Last Will and Testament," the lawyer said. "Mr. Harcourt, your stock certificates had been officially registered as of this morning. The assets of the Harcourt Oil Company are presently worth about twenty billion dollars. Your personal holdings are estimated at three billion dollars. I have disbursed one billion to your account. Since everything is contained within the Living Trust, there will be no probate, and all titles to properties, both real and otherwise, will be transferred within no more than two months, being so stated in the Last Will and Testament."
The attorney handed each of them a sealed envelope. Dirk's envelope was marked, to be opened in private.
"I regret the circumstances that brought me to your door, Mr. Harcourt, but your brother's instructions were very specific. We had to inform you of his Last Will and Testament within twenty-four hours of his death. He revised this current Trust Documents just last week when he added the attached envelope.
"I'm leaving a copy of your inheritance with you. I don't wish to alarm you, but you must not delay in signing your own Documents before the news hits the media."
"Let's get together tomorrow morning," Dirk said, "say nine o'clock tomorrow morning, if that's a convenient time for you?"
"That suits me fine, Mr. Harcourt." He handed Dirk the documents and left.
Dirk turned to Molly, "Did you know about this, Molly?"
"Yes, Dear, Brett discussed it with me some time ago."
"I had no idea Brett was so wealthy. I remember him telling me once that he was wealthy on paper and that he was not concerned about his wealth. The important thing, he said, was the power he had.
"Forgive me, Molly, for what I'm about to say, but Brett was not a shark or ruthless enough to play the game the way these men play it. He was out of his league running Harcourt. He was a gentle man who placated his management and took the path of least resistance. He really loved the boating business and enjoyed the one-on-one rapport he had with his customers. He had a gentle nature and would never hurt another human being.
"I feel guilty for letting that wonderful, gentle human being fall to his death. I should have come to you earlier to warn you of what he was up against." The tears were running down Dirk's face as he spoke. "I loved him so much, Molly. The reality of never seeing him or holding him is the most difficult thing for me to accept.
"What the hell did he need Harcourt Oil for, anyway? He had all that money sitting there. Two months ago, he told me he hated his job, and he did not want to run Harcourt Oil any longer. He wanted to sell the company in two years and retire. We were all going to travel the world and raise our family. If I had only known about his wealth, I have dragged him out of that office and let him go back to selling boats where we were happy.
"How do you think I feel," Molly said. "I knew what he was worth and I'm the one who forced him to take over Harcourt Oil; my guilt is much harder to bear."
"You've made the right decision, Molly. Don't blame yourself. Look, I need some quiet time right now. I'll be in my bedroom if you need me."
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Molly was concerned about Dirk. He had been in his bedroom suite all afternoon. It was not like him to stay shut up like that. She decided to find out why. The door to Dirk's sitting room was open. Molly knocked on the bedroom door, hearing no response she opened the door and walked in. Molly saw Dirk seated in a chair facing the window. He was staring out across the front lawn. She walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder.
Dirk said, "I remember the first day we were in this room together. It was shortly after we became a couple. Brett was standing in this very spot staring out over the lawn. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around him. Tears were running down his cheeks. I asked him why he was crying. He told me they were tears of joy, because he was so happy, because now his life was wonderful. He said he had finally found the happiness that had eluded him all his life. Brett said he didn't care if he died tomorrow, because we would be together forever.
"I was happier than I ever thought possible, because Brett loved me, and I could return the love he needed," Dirk said. "I will always cherish the happy years we had together. Forgive me for being so inconsiderate of your feelings, Molly. I know how difficult this is for you. I promise to be more of a son and more responsive to your needs in the future."
"I did all my crying last night and I can't cry anymore," Molly said. "Spending the day with the children made the pain easer to bear. Brett lives on in his daughters. We have four sweet children to raise, Dirk. They will help to ease the pain and fill our lives with joy.
"You said earlier that Brett didn't have the stomach to do what had to be done. What do you plan to do now that you are in control?"
"The first thing on the list is to fire the Board of Directors and replace them with my own people. After that, I plan to trim the fat at all levels. We're top heavy with administrative staff and short on line management people. I am going to move corporate headquarters from Manhattan to a town nearby. I'll be transferring all the regional managers back into the refineries where they belong.
"Those Directors who made Brett's life difficult are history. I will not tolerate any dissension at Harcourt. I'll be instituting a stock option plan for all our employees. If they own a piece of the company, they will take better care of our investment. I'm going to clean house and force these senior executives out and promote some of the talented men who have been passed over. Harcourt is going to be a streamlined, lean organization, that's going to grow and be a leader in our field.
"And finally, I am going to find the men responsible for Brett's murder and make them pay for his death — have no fear of that."
Molly said, "Brett warned me you could be a frightening adversary if provoked. He also felt you would succeed at anything you touched. Did he tell you that he was going to turn the reins of Harcourt Oil over to you and that he was going to go back to run Harcourt Marine?"
"No, but he told me he planned to resign from Harcourt Oil," Dirk said. "He never said anything about me running the company. Naturally, he knew I would never deny him anything.
"You know, Molly, I've always suspected that Brett and Glen Lambert engineered my promotion to President of Harcourt. I always had the feeling that Glen did not intend to return to Harcourt after his heart operation. However, knowing what Brett was up against with that Board of his, he took that opportunity to ease me into the President's chair without opposition. I give Brett a lot of credit for the way he maneuvered the Board. He knew I wouldn't refuse the job and figured that his directors would not object to me sitting in for Glen temporally. If I didn't work out, Brett could ease me out without embarrassment."
"You're pretty smart yourself," Molly said. "You're right, of course; that is exactly what Brett did. I'm glad you are running Harcourt Oil, Dirk. If I were in your place, I would want to avenge Brett's death. Instead, I am a tired old woman who has survived the two men she loved. You are my son and I love you the same as I loved Brett," Molly said. "I could not bear to lose you, too, so make sure you protect yourself at all costs, don't leave me with the responsibility of raising your children alone. As I said before, you and my grandchildren are my only family now, and I need you to take care of me. You have my support if you want to run the company, but please, God, be careful."
"I love you, Molly, and I will be careful." He told her of his plans to maintain closer ties with the MacDonald-Stevens Corporation and of his need to get away to Harcourt Place in the mountains after the new Board was installed. He told her he would keep her informed about everything.
"Brett always said you had a talent for finding a good deal in real estate, Molly. How would you like to take on the job of finding a suitable spot for relocating our new headquarters?"
"I'd like that. I'll tell you what — you give me your requirements, and I'll take care of everything from finding the land to decorating the offices; it should be fun."
"Great, maybe you'll stick around the house more often and help me raise the kids."
Molly kissed him on the forehead and left, closing the door behind her. Dirk opened Brett's letter.
My Dearest,
It was my hope that you would never have to read this letter, because it means you are alone. This was a difficult letter for me to write, because there is so much I want to say to comfort you now, but that is impossible. Our life together has been beautiful and you have succeeded in filling my heart with joy and happiness.
I always felt that my years in this world would be short, yet always with the hope that we could grow old together. Of course, you knew my thoughts on this matter.
It saddens me to think that you will be alone, and my heart aches as I write this letter thinking of what you may be going through now. However, I'm relieved that I went first, because I would be devastated if I lost you.
You, my beloved, are much stronger than I was and will find the strength to go on to raise our children. I regret the suffering my poor mother will be going through now, but, we have no control over our fate.
Please don't think badly of me about forcing you to update your Trust, but I know you too well, my love, and you will wait until it's too late. Forgive me, but I am doing this to protect our children. It's something you must do.
You don't have to take over Harcourt Oil if you don't feel up to it, but I want you to make the company strong before you and mother sell it. I know we've had discussions about how the company should be run. Although I have not always agreed with your suggestions, I have come around to your approach. If you decide to stay and run the company your way.
Please spend whatever it takes to look into the cause of my death should it be accidental as I'm in perfect health at this time. You know what I mean, my love.
I've had several discussions with Mac Stevens as he has my complete trust. He would be the only one I would trust if you feel you need counseling. He may even prove to be the ideal guardian for the children if anything happens to you. It is something to think about.
I want you to marry again. I was your first love and that love will never die. Our love will transcend our lives on earth. It will never change. However, you're alive and young and will need companionship. You need a companion to share your life with and someone who will love you. I will try to steer someone your way, someone who I approve.
Please always keep me alive in your heart and in your memory. We will be together again, the next time for eternity. I've gone ahead to find our special place in heaven for that eternity.
One last thing, my father left me some papers that I've never had the desire to open. He made a statement to me some time ago, that the company should only be run by the male side of the family. I assume that is what is in the envelope. I've always felt this was a dumb rule and I had no intention of carrying on with that tradition. All our children should share in the running of the company if this is their desire.
Well, my love, what more can I say. I feel we have lived for one another and shared a beautiful life together. We gave our love freely, and lived every day in the best possible way and have nothing to regret when we meet our maker.
I love you now, and will love you throughout eternity.
Your spouse and lover,
Brett.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Dirk cried himself to sleep. He woke up at six o'clock, took a cold shower, and dressed for dinner.
Molly was in the drawing room having a cocktail when Dirk joined her. "You look a lot better. How do you feel?"
"Much better, I guess it's all this crying that does the trick."
"Can you share any part of Brett's letter with me?" Molly asked.
Dirk told Molly everything that was in the letter except for his father's papers. "Needless to say, I bawled again until I fell asleep."
"His letter to me was about the same; he wanted me to make sure you did not take the law into your own hands because of the children. I know you're smart enough to have realized that on your own," Molly said.
"I agree with Brett, you're still young and you should marry again. Don't make the same mistake I did. It's not going to be easy, but it's the right thing to do. Don't feel uncomfortable about bringing another man under this roof. Anyone you find will be welcome. I'm sure you would feel the same way if our situations were reversed."
"Yes, Mother. If that day ever comes, I will bring him home for your approval, just like Brett did with me."
Molly smiled, "See that you do."
Ian was waiting for Dirk when he returned from dinner. "Sorry I'm late, but this has been one hell of a day," Dirk said. "What have you got for me?"
"Mike Lee will be here tomorrow to discuss his investigation into the plane crash. Mike said preliminary results point to sabotage."
"The new security team is in place. We had a meeting with the household staff and we're all set with the security procedures. We will be conducting a daily meeting until everyone is fully trained. If you and your mother can give me some time tomorrow, I want to introduce your new security detail and brief you on your new security system."
"You seem to have everything under control," Dirk said.
"Mike ordered your new bird and will be sending over two pilots for your approval. He is loaning you a bird from his own fleet until yours is on line. Alex Savage returned your call and said he will be attending the funeral and will chat with you then about the new building."
"Well, you have accomplished a lot," Dirk said. "I'm pleased.
"Now, Ian, this is for your ears only. I've have taken over control of Harcourt Oil as of this afternoon. My mother has giving me her blessing."
"We have a lot to accomplish between now and Wednesday morning. We will plan our strategies with Mike tomorrow, so be prepared. I want you to hire an assistant to help you to coordinate everything here. I will need you to concentrate all your energies on my security, and the operations at Harcourt Oil. Let us plan to have breakfast tomorrow at six. Please call Mike and ask him to join us if he is free."
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Dirk made a call to Mac on his secure line. He briefed Mac on everything from the crash up to the decision he had made to take over the firm. He explained his plans for the board and restructuring the company.
"Brett told me to seek your advice, because he trusted you and Drew. I mistrust everyone at Harcourt Oil at this point. Maybe, my judgment is flawed because of Brett's death, but my overall plan has been on the drawing boards for some time.
"Mac, if I live to be a hundred, I will always love Brett. The letter he left me is the most heart rending and beautiful letter I have ever read. The shock of losing your spouse is devastating, but to read that particular love letter from his heart was hard to take. The fact that I'm a billionaire is so meaningless to me now. I would give up everything I own and dig ditches, if I could have Brett back. I'm sure you would feel the same if anything happened to Drew."
"I admire your strength," Mac said. "Brett was a wonderful person and he will be missed. I empathize with your painful loss. Brett did discuss his problems at Harcourt Oil, but only in general terms. The last time we spoke, he told me that he was putting your plan into operation and had bought you a new car to celebrate the event."
"Oh, my God, I forgot about the car." Dirk went on to explain the significance of a car in their relationship.
"If there is no conflict of interest, I would like to ask you, Drew, Noel, Scott, Mike, Karl, Chip, Charles, Alex, Greg and Pete to sit on my Board of Directors. I wanted to get your approval first, before I did anything."
"I will gladly sit on your board," Mac said. "I see no conflict if Drew, or any of my other directors sit on the Harcourt Board. You have my full support. They are excellent choices. Hold on a minute. Let me ask Drew to pick up the extension phone."
"Drew, Dirk is on the line and would like to speak to you," Mac said.
"Good to hear your voice again," Drew said. "Do you need my help, Dirk?"
"I would like you to sit on the Board of Harcourt Oil."
"I'd be happy to serve on your Board," Drew said. "I could use the money."
Dirk laughed, "Saving for your old age, are you? I'm glad you are both on the line together, because I have one last request to make. I would like to appoint you both as my children's legal guardians in my Last Will and Testament."
Both agreed to become the children's guardians.
"You don't know how much better I feel now," Dirk said. "You are good friends, thank you."
Dirk reached the other men on his list and they all agreed to serve as Directors. He had saved the call to Noel to the very last. Noel and Scott had become very close friends over the years. Scott found the surrogate mothers for their children and helped them through the early stages of the adoption. They also were their best men at their wedding ceremony in Hawaii. Dirk chatted with Scott for a few minutes about the children until Noel spoke up. "There is nothing I can say that is going to comfort you at this point; when you're ready, we'll get together. I know what you're going through; that is, unless you feel you want to talk now?"
"I can't, Noel, we're too close, I know I'll breakdown," Dirk said. "I called to ask you and Scott to serve on my Board of Directors at Harcourt Oil." He told him the whole story about the crash, Brett's Last Will and Testament, and the sabotage going on in the company.
"Scott and I will be happy to sit on the Board. Don't worry; we'll get the bastards that did this, even if we have to shoot the mothers ourselves."
"You're a man after my own heart, Noel," Dirk said. "Give an extra hug to Scott and save one for yourself, I love you both."
Dirk found Molly in her sitting room and gave her the run down on what he had accomplished so far.
"You've accomplished a lot today. You have picked the cream of the crop to sit on our Board, but I don't remember meeting Karl Landsdorf," Molly said. "That name sounds familiar to me."
"Karl's family is better known in Europe, they also figure importantly in the Boston social circles as well. They're listed in the social register in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Karl is a VP and a division president with MacDonald-Stevens. He was that college kid who was kidnapped several years ago by a terrorist gang in Germany."
"Of course, now I remember. Yes, I met his parents many times at charity affairs at the Metropolitan."
"Today has been the most depressing day of my life," Dirk said. "I pray to God that we will never have to face another day like this again.
"My older daughters took the news very badly," Dirk said. "They cried so hard I couldn't finish the conversation. They want to come to the funeral. Frankly, I did not know how to answer them. I left it up in the air and told them I would let them know after I talked with you. I'll be too busy with the funeral arrangements to spend any time with them, Molly."
"They should come; they loved Brett, and I'll take care of them."
"Whatever you say; I've got a heavy day tomorrow so I going to take my pill like a good little boy and try to get some sleep. Good night, Mother." He kissed Molly on the cheek and left.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Monday morning Dirk sent letters out addressed to all the Directors of Harcourt Oil notifying them that a stockholders meeting would take place at eight o'clock, Wednesday morning, at Westhampton Yacht Club.
The Board of Directors were annoyed when they heard of the early hour of the meeting. They called Dirk's secretary to have the time moved back to ten because of the inconvenience of traveling so early in the morning.
Dirk's secretary called them back to inform them that Mr. Harcourt said the meeting time would not be changed. If they found it inconvenient to travel in the morning, they could stay overnight at the Westhampton Inn, or take the helicopter from Manhattan early Wednesday morning.
The Westhampton Inn
Two large meeting rooms were reserved for the occasion. One room was set up for a buffet breakfast and the other for the actual meeting. Naturally, everyone ate a hearty breakfast. They were awaiting the start of the meeting that was in the adjoining room.
At 7:50, two waiters opened the two large sliding doors allowing them to file into the meeting room. The Board members were surprised to see that the room was already filled with people as they walked in.
The table that the Board was to use was shaped like a large "T." At the top of the "T" sat Dirk, Molly and their corporate counsel. The ten Directors of the Board sat at each side of the 'T'.
The chief council called the meeting to order and read a brief statement. "Ladies and gentlemen, this meeting has been called by our majority stock holders to elect a new chairman and CEO for Harcourt Oil. As you all know, the family owns ninety-percent of the Harcourt Oil stock. The stock held by Brett Harcourt, Jr. has been willed over to his brother, Dirk. At the stockholders' meeting on Saturday, Dirk Harcourt was appointed and has accepted the Chairmanship and CEO of Harcourt Oil. Mr. Harcourt will now address you."
"Thank you for your time, gentlemen," Dirk said, "We appreciate you making the effort to be here with us this morning. You all know the rules governing the Board of Directors of the Harcourt Oil Corporation. Your term as Directors expires when a Chairman steps down, or is removed. You serve at the pleasure of the Chairman."
"I want to thank the Board for your past service to Harcourt Oil, and to let you know that your services are no longer required. I will be appointing a new slate of Directors of my own choosing. My staff is standing by to make arrangements to take you back to the airport, or wherever you wish to go."
There was a look of absolute shock on the faces of the entire Board, they could not believe their ears and made no effort to move.
Albert Shaal, the bombastic director who gave Brett the most trouble, started with his litany of abuse and said, "I think it is unfair and absolutely outrageous to treat the Board members this way. I have never been summarily dismissed like this in my life. You, Mr. Harcourt, know nothing about this business and you need this Board to guide you in running this giant corporation. I suggest you reconsider this blunder and reinstate this Board."
The rest of the Board nodded their heads in agreement, and Albert had a big smirk on his face.
Dirk stared at the each board member before he spoke. "Mr. Shaal, must I remind you again that you serve at the discretion of the Chairman. As it so happens, my mother and I control this corporation, and not the Board. You, Mr. Shaal, have been the most obstructive member of this Board, and I am fully aware of your little power games. I wanted Brett to kick you off the Board a long time ago. Brett felt he owed you something; however, I don't.
"You men were picked for your experience at running a large corporation, yet the company suffered under your expert guidance. You owed your loyalty to Brett and were paid well to be supportive to help us grow. Instead, you fought us at every turn. This Board should have been ashamed to accept our money for your shabby efforts. Actually, you should reimburse us for the losses we suffered under your guidance.
"If I did nothing as CEO of this company, we would be further ahead than any help or guidance from your wealth of experience. You, Mr. Shaal, have some gall to sit there and tell me anything. I am the owner of this company, and I hold all the cards in this game. You are pathetic, without any power, other than that big loud mouth of yours. Now, since you are no longer associated with Harcourt Oil, you have no reason to be in this room. I want you and the rest of your cronies to leave this room or I will have you forcefully removed."
Ten dejected, tongued lashed Directors stood up without another word, and left the room. When they left Dirk said, "Ladies and gentlemen please forgive me for that outburst, but they deserved that."
"I lost my temper when I saw how arrogant they were after all the grief they caused Brett. Albert Shaal was their ringleader."
Everyone in the room clapped. "Thank you, my friends," Dirk said. "Now, as I read off your names will you please come up and take a chair." The names were read in alphabetical order and the new Directors took their chairs. After the Harcourt company oath was taken, Dirk said, "I make a motion that the present Board be accepted." Molly seconded the motion.
The lawyer said, "The motion is approved. "Gentlemen will you please each read and sign one copy of the documents in front of you and retain a copy for you own file."
"Before we proceed," Dirk said, "I ask that the room be cleared, with the exception of the Board of Directors and my mother."
When the room cleared Dirk said, "My friends, we are beginning a long and frustrating journey to try to right a wrong that has taken Brett's life and that of his pilot. We have evidence that these deaths were not accidental. We are looking into the murders of two innocent men. I fear that the people responsible for their death may still be around pulling the strings. It is my intention to find them and to see that they are brought to justice."
"I have asked you, my friends, to serve on this Board because you are all successful businessmen in your own companies and because you were all friends of Brett and Molly. I am sure that you are as outraged at these senseless murders as we are. Brett's death has taught me that we can never take life for granted. If the same fate befalls me, I ask you to support my mother in the event I am murdered like Brett."
He outlined his plans for the future of the company and how he intended to restructure Harcourt Oil. He told them he intended to keep his enemies off balance and at the same time, build confidence with his staff and his employees. It was his intention to visit all the refineries and distribution centers to observe first hand, how his new operations plans were working. Dirk told them he expected a certain amount of opposition and downright resentment from the old-timers in the beginning. That is why it would be necessary for him be there to explain the new plan and how it would enable them to earn a better living in the long run.
"Knowing that you are here to watch my back is a great comfort to me. I propose that we meet again next month to evaluate the work in progress, and to discuss any new business plans. Now, I'm going to call my staff back in and go through all the usual motions."
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Molly and Dirk were seated in the limo on the drive back to Harcourt Hall. "I learn more about you every day, Dirk. You should have been running Harcourt Oil from the start. Listening to you at the meeting today brought back memories of my husband. I liked the way you handled that meeting and the way you dismissed Albert and friends. I felt like giving him a kick in the butt, myself. I'll admit I was a little skeptical of the praises Brett heaped on you. However, he was right and I was wrong. You handled yourself like the executive you are. I'm proud to call you my son."
"That is quite a compliment, Molly, thank you."
"Molly, as soon as I clear the decks, I'm going to start visiting our refineries. Can you stay with the children while I'm out of town? I'll try to be home on the weekends but that's about it. The children won't suffer too much with you around, but I must do this, or we won't have a company to worry about."
"I'm going to take off to Harcourt Place for a few days to talk to Brett. Will you hold down the fort while I'm gone?"
"You go and talk to Brett, and tell him I miss him, too."
To be continued...
Posted: 05/11/12