less risky than a start-up.
“So, you’re saying with a little capital for a new truck or two, your business would be in a position to expand.”
“It would,” Nico confirmed.
“You ever think about taking on a partner?”
Nico blinked.
“I mean a minor shareholder. A silent partner.”
“I don’t understand.”
Reed rested his hand on the top of the open truck door, assuming a casual pose. “One of the reasons I’m in New York is possibly to invest in some business opportunities.”
“You’re interested in a bakery?”
“Maybe. Do you know what the real estate’s worth? Have the annual gross and net handy?”
“Is this some scam?”
“No.”
“You an eccentric rich guy?”
“No. I’m a rancher. But if we can make a deal, I’ll kick in enough cash for a couple of new trucks. You cut me in for an appropriate percentage, and maybe we both win.”
“So you’re looking to diversify?” Nico nodded thoughtfully.
“I’m looking to diversify,” Reed agreed. “I’ve got this sharp, prissy lady lawyer who wants me to sit in her office and review balance sheets all day long.”
Nico grinned.
“But I don’t want to invest in companies,” said Reed. “I’d rather invest in people. And I’d rather invest in your pastries, Nico. They’re damn fine.”
“It’s a secret family recipe.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“Come inside and take a look?” asked Rico.
“Absolutely,” Reed agreed. “And, can you give me the name of a good tailor who works fast?”
Rico grinned and hopped out of the truck. “Salvatore’s. Around the corner. He’ll fix you up.”
Salvatore turned out to be one heck of a tailor. And he had a business-expansion idea that sounded as promising as Nico’s. So Reed left the store with two new suits, half a dozen dress shirts and another potential business investment.
Back at the Royal Globe Towers, he called Danielle, and her assistant put him straight through.
“Good afternoon, Reed,” her crisp voice came on the line. “How can I help you?”
“I just spent half a million dollars.”
“On a sports car?”
“No.” Reed unzipped one of the suit covers as he talked. “A bakery and a tailor shop.”
There was a long moment of silence. “Reed?”
“Yes?”
“I have a law degree from Harvard, but you’ve got me confused.”
Reed retrieved the charcoal-gray suit. Salvatore had told him he could dress it up with a white shirt or down with steel blue and a diamond-pattern tie. “I need the money to buy a percentage of a bakery and a tailor shop in Brooklyn.”
“Oh. Okay. Give me the company names. I’ll start an investigation.”
“I don’t need some bureaucratic investigation. I just need a check.”
“I don’t follow.”
“I met the guys today. I saw their operations. I looked into their eyes and shook their hands. The deal’s done. Gianni Bakery and Imperial Tailors.”
“How did you meet them?”
“I was hungry.”
“You’re losing me again, Reed.”
“Nico sells some excellent pastries, but he needs a new delivery truck. Well, two new delivery trucks.” Reed stripped off the plastic covering and stepped back. He really did like this suit.
“You ate a pastry today, and now you want to invest in his business?” Danielle confirmed.
“Pretty much.”
“Reed, wandering around Brooklyn is not a reasonable investment strategy. You can’t do things that way.”
“It appears I can.”
“Reed.”
“Danielle, it’s my money.”
She gave a long-suffering sigh. “Fine. Okay. I hear you. But I’m looking at their financials before we cut the check. That’s not negotiable. And if you’re going to spend any more than this, you have got to talk to me.”
“Sure,” Reed agreed easily, holding the diamond-patterned tie against the steel-blue shirt then the white one.
“You keep saying yes, and then you go ahead and do whatever you want.”
“Funny how that works.” Reed decided to go with the blue.
“You are impossible.”
“Know any good restaurants in Manhattan?”
“Dozens. What do you have in mind? Please tell me you’re not buying one.”
“I’m eating at one.”
“Good. Steak? Seafood? Greek? Thai?”
“What about French?” French was elegant. Then again, he was going with the blue shirt. “Greek. Make it Greek.”
“What part of town?”
“Midtown.”
“Try…Flavian’s. It’s near the Park, around Sixty-Fourth.”
“I will. Thanks, Danielle.”
“You’re keeping me awake nights.”
He chuckled and hung up the phone, then stripped off his cotton shirt and headed for the enormous shower that had two massive showerheads in the ceiling and six more jets in the walls. Ridiculous. He didn’t think any man needed to be that clean.
He stripped down, adjusted the water temperature and chose a small bottle of shampoo. There were still a couple of hours before he was meeting Katrina, but his stomach hitched in anticipation. He couldn’t help hoping she liked his suit.
On the other hand, he couldn’t help hoping