An Understated Dominance novel · Chapter 14 of 24
Chapter 14: The Man From Summit
The call came at nine the next morning.
It wasn't from the bank, and it wasn't from a lawyer.
It was from the head buyer at Summit Outfitters, my biggest customer, a woman who had never once phoned me before noon.
"Thea," she said. "I need to see you today."
"I'm free whenever."
"Three o'clock. Our office."
"Can I ask what this is about?"
The buyer paused.
"I'd rather say it to your face," she said.
I called Bev.
"That's the one that can't go wrong," Bev said. "Summit is twenty-two percent of our revenue."
"I know."
"If they leave, you're done."
"I know, Bev."
"Do you want me to come?"
"No. Take the others. I'll go alone."
Summit's headquarters stood in a converted brewery in Boulder, all exposed brick and reclaimed beams.
The buyer met me in a conference room with a long walnut table and a bowl of apples.
She was sixty-one, with a grey braid down her back, and she had hiked more miles than I would ever see.
She also had company.
A man in a navy suit sat at the end of the table with a leather portfolio.
"This is a lawyer," she said. "He's here on behalf of a client."
"I'm sure he is."
"Ms. Forsberg." The lawyer rose. "I represent a freight and logistics concern that would like to enter a preferred-supplier relationship with Summit."
"Under terms you'll find extremely favorable."
"Let me guess. Merrow Freight."
He didn't blink.
"My client prefers to remain unnamed."
"Your client's name is on your cufflinks," I said.
He glanced down.
His cufflinks bore a tiny silver M.
The buyer hid a smile behind her hand.
"Here is the offer," the lawyer said, recovering.
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