Chương 15: The Clean Slate (03/14/1980)

DATE: Friday, March 14, 1980 LOCATION: San Diego, California LOCAL TIME: 03: 15 PM John E. Patterson walked into the Coastal Equities bullpen carrying two thick manila folders. His leather shoes struck the cheap linoleum with a steady, metronomic rhythm, drawing the eyes of every broker in the room. The receptionist's polite smile vanished before he even reached her desk.

"John Patterson," he said, bypassing the sign-in sheet.

"I have a three-fifteen with Phil Jauregui." Thirty seconds later, he closed the door to Phil's office. The man behind the desk had dark bags under his eyes and a tie loosened two inches below his collar.

"Mr. Jauregui." Patterson didn't offer his hand.

"I'll get straight to the point. Archstone Capital has acquired all outstanding debt and equity of Coastal Equities. Effective immediately, you no longer own this firm." Phil's face lost all its color.

"I… I don't understand."

"You don't need to." Patterson dropped one of the folders directly onto Phil's blotter.

"These documents transfer full ownership to Archstone. You will remain on the letterhead as nominal CEO for appearance's sake, but you will not authorize a single financial decision without my written approval. Is that clear?" Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Phil stared at the paperwork as if it might catch fire. Patterson pressed the intercom button on the console phone.

"Ms. Shankle, step into Mr. Jauregui's office." The door opened. Eva walked in with a bright, practiced smile that died the moment she registered the tension in the room.

"Ms. Shankle," Patterson said, his voice dropping into a flat, corporate monotone.

"Your employment with Coastal Equities is terminated, effective immediately." He slid a thick envelope across the desk.

"This contains three months' severance and a strict non-disclosure agreement. You have twenty-four hours to sign it. If you don't, the severance is revoked." Eva's face flushed deep red.

"Phil? Are you really going to let this asshole fire me?" Phil stared firmly at his own hands.

"This is no longer Mr. Jauregui's company," Patterson said, holding her gaze.

"Archstone does not require your services. Take the envelope and leave the building." The silence in the office stretched out, heavy and suffocating. Eva snatched the envelope, shot one final, venomous look at Phil, and stormed out. The glass pane rattled in the door frame as it slammed shut. Patterson turned back to the desk.

"Congratulations on your new partner, Mr. Jauregui. I'll be in touch." He picked up his briefcase and walked out. Outside in the afternoon sun, Bob Yauney leaned against the hood of a sedan, arms crossed. He raised an eyebrow as Patterson approached.

"Done?" Patterson adjusted his cuffs.

"Archstone Capital is officially operating. Shankle is gone." Bob looked past him toward the Coastal Equities sign, then gave a single nod.

"Good."