The Gatekeeper's Son Read Free Page A

ready, James,” Grandpa said. “And don’t look so worried. I’m not planning on dying anytime soon.”
    A thousand thoughts stampeded through my mind, most of them not good. Somehow, the words I managed to force out of my mouth surprised me.
    “I’d be honored.”
    Grandpa laughed. “You know, some people would regard this as a curse.”
    My dad looked up. “You’re right.”
    Grandpa’s face fell. Slowly, he slumped into his chair. The room went silent, everyone’s breath held.
    “You understand, don’t you, James?” He stared at me. “I don’t want my work to die with me.”
    The awkward silence continued until Ms. Lin finally broke it. “Edward, perhaps James should open his present.”
    I grabbed the box, happy for the distraction. As I fought with the wrapping, I glanced at Ms. Lin. “Must own a tape company.”
    Someone laughed and the tension broke.
    “Do I, Walter?” Grandpa asked.
    “We own one in Minnesota.” More laughter.
    When I finally opened the box, a gold watch sat coiled like a snake in a cradle of blue velvet. It was beautiful, gleaming gold and crystal, with James and the Thompson Group logo engraved under the crown at twelve o’clock. I looked up at Grandpa.
    “Put in on, boy. It won’t bite you.”
    I reluctantly pushed my hand through the band. It fit as snugly as a handcuff.
    “Do you like it?”
    “Thank you, Grandpa. It’s awesome.” I forced a smile. “It’s … is it gold?”
    He nodded. “Very special gold.”
    I stared down at it. “This seems … maybe too much for me.”
    “Nonsense. That watch marks an important milestone in your life. You’re stepping into manhood, and into my shoes.”

    Ms. Lin set the domestic staff and the bodyguards free, but when my dad pushed his chair back, Grandpa stopped him.
    “Robert, I want you to hear this, too.”
    Dad sighed but sat back down.
    “Something unexpected happened this morning,” Grandpa said, “that puts us in a serious situation.” He took a deep breath. “My biggest investors have backed out, which means the Bayview Complex project is in peril.”
    Loud conversation broke out around the table. The Bayview Complex was Grandpa’s biggest project ever, his dream, ten years in the planning: three towers, one a Thompson Hotel with luxury condominiums on the top floors, and two office towers. He’d even talked about moving into one of the penthouses.
    “The committee has never refused you,” Walter said.
    I frowned. “What’s the committee?”
    Grandpa glared at Walter. “A group of international partners,” he said. “It’s … an investment club of sorts.”
    I heard Dad cough.
    “Are they crazy?” Mark said. “They’re guaranteed a huge return on investment—not to mention they’re breaching a contract. We’ll kill them in court.”
    “We also lost most of our bank credit lines this week,” Walter said, “the ones we use to operate our divisions.”
    Grandpa swore. “Then this is about more than just the Bayview.”
    “You’re damn right!” Walter’s face reddened. “And I can’t be expected to factor personal attacks into my financial plans!”
    “What does Mr. Roacks mean by personal , Chairman?” It was a woman I didn’t know.
    Grandpa hesitated. “He means, Barbara, that I’ve been blacklisted at the highest levels—the very highest. They mean to destroy me.”
    Something didn’t add up.
    “Wait a minute.” I turned to Grandpa. “You’re a billionaire. Why do you need to borrow money?”
    Walter sighed. “We have billions in assets . We don’t keep it in a vault in the basement like Scrooge McDuck.”
    I wanted to stick out my tongue at him.
    Ms. Lin spoke up. “Chairman, isn’t there something you can do?”
    Grandpa gazed at his hands. “Of course, I could call Geneva—”
    Someone swore—my dad. He looked mad, and he never got mad.
    “You mean Bartholomew, don’t you?” he said in a tone I didn’t recognize.
    When Grandpa didn’t reply, Dad pushed his