“I see Gerardo has taken care of the wine. I called ahead to have him choose something I thought would be to your liking.”
“It’s quite nice.” The man twirled the red Sangiovese liquid in the balloon glass. “You seem to be very popular here.”
“I try to come here once a week when I’m not out on the island.” People in the know understood that “the island” embedded in the phrase “on the island” was Long Island, not Fire Island or Coney Island. Exactly where on the island was usually noted in the next sentence. “In Sag Harbor.” God forbid someone thought he lived in Hempstead, where the school system was rife with complaints about misappropriations and where the charges of police corruption had resulted in the chief of police being fired. Of course, his own business was as corrupt as anything that happened in Hempstead. But his corruption swindled only the rich and took private money, not the taxes everyone had to pay. Nor was any violence involved.
“Been out there for a golf outing a few times.” The man’s name was Leffert, as in one of the biggest tobacco families in the country. Because the market for cigarettes was in decline, tobacco companies were investigating new sources of revenue. The CBD business was a natural for them. “Lovely restaurant, too, by the way.” Leffert glanced around the room and recognized the CEO of TD Ameritrade and the CFO of Home Depot. A gathering of the rich and powerful.
Gerardo returned with a glass for Corbett and poured from the $275 bottle of wine. “One of my favorites.” Corbett lifted the glass and inspected its contents, swirled it in his mouth, and gave Gerardo a thumbs-up.
Trying to break the ice, Corbett engaged in some informal conversation. Sports mostly. Safe subject, for the most part. Manolo approached the table and began to recite the specials for the day, beginning with appetizers, then moving on to entrées. There had to be a dozen specials, all of which Manolo could articulate from memory. And if you missed any of the scrumptious dishes, he would go over the list again, this time in reverse order. That performance in itself was worth the money it cost to dine there. You could tell this was Manolo’s passion. Corbett wondered what his own passion was, besides having prestige and money. After Manolo completed his presentation, he handed them menus, bowed, and returned to his station near the entrance.
“What do you recommend?” Leffert asked, displaying his Southern drawl.
“I usually start with the burrata with prosciutto and figs, then the fettuccine with shaved truffles.” It was noted as “market price” on the menu, which meant very expensive.
Leffert perused the menu and motioned for Manolo to return to the table. “Can you fix me a veal chop? Rare?”
Manolo nodded and turned to Corbett.
“I’ll have my usual.”
Then, turning back to Leffert, Manolo said, “Signore, would you care to start with an appetizer?”
“Caesar salad, please.”
“Grazie mille.” Once again, Manolo gave a short bow and moved away from the table.
Corbett wondered if he should start the conversation, but Leffert was already there. He lowered his voice and leaned in slightly. “Tell me about this property you have in mind for a grow house.”
Corbett almost choked on his expensive Brunello wine. He had not been expecting that question at the beginning of the conversation.
“Ah, yes. As I mentioned in our previous discussion, I became aware of Leffert Industries expanding into the CBD business. I have a very large piece of property in Michigan, not far from the border with Canada. The building is over thirty-six thousand square feet and could easily be converted into a grow house.”
“The government isn’t making it easy as far as legalization, and we’re investing in real estate where growing marijuana is legal,” Leffert said matter-of-factly.
“Of course. Very smart move. I am not necessarily looking to sell the property but perhaps to partner with a company looking for the same benefits.” Corbett knew he could get a half million for the land and building, but he was looking for something more long range. Something that would keep bringing in the cash.
“I see.” Leffert paused. “What kind of partnership did you have in mind?”
“Lease option? Percentage of profits? What exactly are you looking for?” Corbett was trying not to be cocky or anxious.
“Can you get me a survey of the property? I’d like to see the location and the schematic for the building.”