Shell Game (Stand Alone 2) Read Free

expected a bigger battle. None of the bankers even hesitated in offering to write off the loans if Katherine signed the properties over to them. He scratched his head and wondered if there was something sinister behind their decisions. Even the banks holding Frank’s First Savings Bank stock were quick to strike a deal in return for Katherine signing away her interest in the stock. Normally, the stock would have had significant equity over and above the loans against the shares. But First Savings Bank’s loan portfolio had deteriorated with the real estate depression brought on by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, so its stock value had declined as well.
    Paul told himself he would have to look into all of this at some point. Maybe after things were settled for Katherine and her children.

THURSDAY
    JULY 14, 2011

CHAPTER ONE
    Katherine Winter looked up at the dais and felt warmth of pride in her son course through her. Twenty-two years had passed since her husband had died, and her son had not wasted one minute on self-pity, nor used his father’s death as an excuse for not giving his best.
    Edward attended Central High School, finishing at the top of his class. Then he attended the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship, and received his MBA from Harvard Business School, again on a full ride. And he’d always held down a job, even while in school, to cover his out of pocket expenses. Carrie too, had soared, earning her own scholarship. The money Katherine had put aside for their educations had not been needed.
    After graduate school, Edward joined the U.S. Army, went to Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and graduated first in his officer candidate class. His three-year hitch was almost up when Islamic extremists crashed airplanes into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon on September 11th. He extended his tour for one year and was assigned to Iraq, where he earned two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Meritorious Service Medal.
    The night Edward returned to Philadelphia and civilian life from Iraq, Katherine disclosed to her children she had $425,000, half for each of them. She’d invested the money from Frank’s insurance wisely. But neither of them wanted the money. Katherine was adamant, however. “Just tell me when you want it and it’s yours,” she told them.
    Two months later, Edward and Carrie came to her with a proposal. The family of one of Edward’s Harvard classmates owned a chain of fast food restaurants named Hot N’ Chili, specializing in Mexican food in the New Mexico style. Edward’s friend, Peter Mora, had worked in the company’s Santa Fe headquarters since he’d graduated from Harvard and was now in charge of national franchising. Mora had contacted Edward with a proposal to take over the franchise rights for all of Pennsylvania, along with two restaurants that were floundering. He made them a sweetheart deal, waiving the franchise fees in return for them assuming two $250,000 delinquent loans at a local bank covering the costs of the two existing restaurant locations.
    Carrie partnered with Edward in the restaurant investment, and both of them agreed to take the money from Katherine only if she joined them as a one-third partner. That was in January 2002.
    Carrie worked in the business for two years, but then decided it wasn’t what she wanted. The business was just starting to take off when she announced she was going to join the Army. She went to Officer Candidate School, graduated with her commission as a Second Lieutenant, and was recruited by Special Forces, being promoted to First Lieutenant within the year. She had quickly earned her green beret, jump wings, and a reputation as a rising star. After a year of language training in Arabic, she was assigned to Iraq in an intelligence role. Although women were not permitted to serve in Special Operations assignments, she came as close to being a Special Ops officer as a woman could.
    A noise brought