a televised press conference.”
Wolfe nodded. “There was talk of a lawsuit.”
“Yes, but fortunately it blew over after the strike got settled. That’s just one example of how David handles himself under pressure.”
“He knows your feelings about his abilities?”
“He most certainly does. He also knows he’ll never get any of my holding in the Gazette. On my death, my shares will go into a trust to be administered by Elliot here, plus Carl Bishop and a man named Fitzpatrick from the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. That fact is not widely known, and I would appreciate your discretion.”
“You have it,” Wolfe said as Dean squirmed in his chair. His face was turning fuchsia, he wanted to cut in so badly. He made a few more noises, but confined himself to groping for his mustache. I was beginning to feel sorry for the guy.
“It has always been my hope that I would eventually get David and Donna to sell their shares to the trust. And my nephew Scott, too. He has a ten-percent holding. But until this MacLaren business came up, there didn’t seem to be that much of a hurry.”
“How do your stepchildren feel about the trust?”
Harriet studied Wolfe coolly for a second, then decided to be candid.
“Donna seemed pretty neutral when I first told her about it six months ago. Of course she didn’t know then that she’d have a chance to make a lot more money—the kind MacLaren apparently is offering.”
“In either case, she’d stand to make a great deal, wouldn’t she?”
“Donna may not care about the Gazette, but she does care about money, Mr. Wolfe. She’s a shrewd businesswoman, and if I were betting, I’d give odds that she’ll sell to him rather than to the trust. I don’t like to hear myself saying it, but there you are.” She took a deep breath as Wolfe resettled himself. Maybe it was my imagination, but I was beginning to see stress lines on her regal face.
“What about your stepson? Will he sell? Indeed, has he already?”
“It wouldn’t surprise me in the least. For the last several days, I’ve been pressing him to find out what, if anything, he’s done, and he keeps avoiding me. He’s barely been in the office at all. But I’m bringing things to a head on Friday. I’ve called a special board meeting for that morning—it’s one of the reasons I have to reach Donna tomorrow. I’m going to make a plea that everyone hold onto their shares, at least for now. Although I honestly don’t know what good it will do. In some cases, it may already be too late. And I’ve asked MacLaren to come and see me that afternoon as well.”
Dean couldn’t hold back any longer. “Harriet, you didn’t tell me about MacLaren!” he rasped. “How can I function as your adviser when I don’t even know what’s going on half the time?”
“I’m sorry, I was going to tell you on the way over here, but I forgot,” Harriet said, showing no regret. “I only made the appointment this morning.”
Elliot resumed both his slump and his pout.
“You mentioned your nephew,” Wolfe said. “What part does he play?”
“Scott is the son of my husband’s younger brother, Lucas. When Lucas died, Scott inherited his holding, which is almost exactly ten percent. He’s general manager of the company now. He wants more than that, but like David, he has his limitations.”
“Such as?”
“He’s extremely ambitious, which in itself is all well and good. But Scott hasn’t got the . . . well, the vision, to run a large newspaper. I know that must sound arrogant, because it’s tantamount to saying that I do have the vision.”
“As you do,” Dean cut in. I resisted the urge to pick him up by the collar and deposit him on the stoop. Harriet Haverhill was some lady, but a body can take just so much grovelling.
“The fact is, except for Wilkins, the Haverhill men just haven’t been strong,” Harriet said, ignoring him. “I’d personally take Scott over David, but both their wives would make better executives than they are, particularly Carolyn—David’s wife. Now, there’s a dynamo.
I sometimes wish she were my daughter instead of my daughter-in-law.”
“Does she have an active role at the Gazette?”
“No. She’s all wound up in charitable activities around town. She’s made quite a name for herself in fund-raisers, and I think David is jealous of her popularity, which I’m sure is why he’s always kept her away from any kind of role at the paper. As