Villiers Touch Read Free Page A

Isher snapped the case shut and stood up. “How far do I go? I mean, if we’re going all the way, it means you pounce, close the firm down, and sell out the assets. You take a quick profit, but you gut the company in the bargain. Is that how it’ll be?”
    â€œJust set them up for the buy,” Villiers said. “Let me worry about what happens afterward.”
    Isher looked sour. “And what about the Melbard family?”
    â€œIf they go for it, they’re suckers—marks. There’s no way to stop them from giving it away. All you can do is try to be first in line when they’re handing it out.”
    â€œMaybe. But it’s got a sick smell to it.”
    â€œThat conscience of yours will make trouble sometime, Sidney.”
    â€œWhat about yours?”
    â€œMine means about as much as my tonsils—which were removed twenty years ago.” Villiers smiled a little. When Isher turned toward the door, he said, “Aren’t you forgetting one thing?”
    It turned Isher back. “Which?”
    â€œWhat’s yesterday’s closing price on Melbard stock?”
    â€œFive and an eighth. But I told you, it’s undervalued. The family knows that.” Isher nodded quickly. “Oh, I see. All right—how high do you want me to go?”
    â€œStart at seven. Go up as high as twelve if you have to.”
    â€œTwelve dollars?”
    â€œYou heard me.”
    â€œYou’ll lose your ass. You can’t afford to pay more than eight. At twelve, it’d cost you nine million dollars to buy a controlling interest—and you can’t sell Melbard’s assets for anything like that.”
    â€œDon’t waste money. Get it at eight if they’ll go for it. But get it. Go to twelve if you have to. But let me know if there’s any sign of NCI bidding us up.”
    Isher shook his head and said dryly, “Yassuh, boss. Anything else?”
    â€œFind out exactly who the two directors are that Elliot Judd has on Melbard’s board. And find out which members of Melbard’s family own what percentage of the stock.”
    â€œDon’t you think I’ve already done that? How long have you been taking me for an irresponsible fool?”
    â€œSidney, if you get that steamed up at this hour, you’ll boil over before noon. How’d you find out about the family personalities?”
    â€œTook their plant manager to lunch. Amazing how often you can get somebody to reveal inside information just by wining and dining him—expensive restaurant, good food, plenty of martinis, an attentive companion. I asked a few leading questions—all it took.”
    â€œGood work.”
    Isher smiled.
    Villiers said, “One thing—don’t volunteer Diane Hastings’ name too easily. Make them fight and scratch to get it. That way, when they get her name they’ll think they’ve got the real buyer. They won’t look any farther.”
    â€œSmart.”
    â€œI’ll get back to you some time.”
    â€œHave Mrs. Hastings call me. Reach you here at the hotel?”
    â€œLeave a message if I’m not here.”
    â€œWhich is probably most of the time,” Isher said, and went.
    When the door closed, Villiers was smiling slightly. He had won the points he intended to win, and at the same time left Isher with the feeling—which the lawyer needed badly—that he had achieved a victory. Isher was a good corporation-law man, a spectacular tax attorney, and a timid businessman. He needed pushing; he needed flattery. Villiers provided him with his needs. He reminded himself to have some token jewelry sent to Isher’s wife.
    He sat smoking by the window, withdrawn deep into thought. It was just as well to keep Isher in the dark; Isher only needed to know he was to take over Melbard. He might balk if he knew the move against Melbard was only a prelude.
    Mason Villiers had raided companies bigger than