have this proposal before them, or if you intend to make additional presentations?”
Pearlman responded, “I am not at liberty to say specifically, but I think it would be prudent for my client to have other alternatives, and to that end I remind you all that this proposal and its attendant Letter of Credit is good for a period of ten days from this date”.
“And Councilor, may I ask if your client is open,” he stammered, “that is to say, you know, open to negotiate the issue of the selection process for the professionals to be employed to perform each of the tasks on this project”?
There it was! Pearlman thought. Took enough time to expose the real issue, you slime- ball.
“I understand your question, sir”, Pearlman responded. “Permit me to answer respectfully by saying that this proposal is wholly dependent upon the management teams proper assembly of professionals, in which they have the confidence they will be able to meet the goals… deadlines, budgets, quality under the correct business climate necessary to produce a facility which will serve the needs of this community for many years to come” he paused, “To be clear, sir, there is no room for negotiations on the selection of those entities. This is a package, but again, I say respectfully that each entity will be open for review and professional oversight by this council as to their legal status and qualification to perform the job”.
Pearlman was confident as he left the meeting that he had fairly represented his client, and in the best interest of the community and the state. Outside the county building, he removed an expensive Havana, clipped the tip, and slowly lit the cigar. He would savor this treat on his return to the office in Indianapolis. But when he got to his car, all four tires had been slashed. Welcome to Lake County, he thought. The war had been joined!
The day after his return from Lake County, Pearlman had lunch with Hamilton at the old Republican Club across from the Federal Building on Meridian Street, the very place where many of its infamous members had been indicted! Down the street there was an equally impressive club for the democrats whose membership contained the names of individuals whose taste ran to horizontal striped suits as well. He went over each detail of the meeting with the county council and discussed the major obstacles to the contract. A call had been made to Pearlman’s office, a rather urgent from the Attorney General’s office. The caller was informed that Pearlman was away for a luncheon meeting. The caller implored the receptionist to understand that he too was supposed to be at this meeting and had not received the message as to where it was being held. In the absence of anyone to take the call, she informed the caller that he was at the Republican Club. He wasn’t invited but at a distance within earshot the anonymous caller participated nonetheless.
“You were correct, Thad,” Pearlman stated, “The only issue standing in the way of this transaction is the selection process of the engineer and construction company. Your proposal has dried up the political sewage in the hopes of solving the human waste problem. They are seething, cunning and I believe potentially dangerous!”
He told Thad of the tire-slashing incident “No accident, a warning”.
Nearby a lone dinner ate and listened for any information.
“Look Michael,” Hamilton said, “We can’t have you at risk for this business.”
Hamilton waited, measuring the heart of his attorney!
“It takes more than a slashed tire for this Brooklyn boy, and lawyers are famous for taking the heat; we love the kitchen!” he said
The lone dinner thought, “We’ll burn yours down you Hymie prick”.
“We have drawn the line in the sand, and it is the right thing to do, but we are not above making political contributions, Michael, as long as they are not onerous or illegal!” Thad told him.
The lone dinner, scribbled the word, onerous as best he could. Was it like fiduciary?
Pearlman went on, “Surely you understand that political extortion is a way of life in these counties, and most especially Lake County. Remember, all the real crooks fled Gary in the 60’s with the white flight. These are the heir apparent to guys who bury their victims in waste dumps, under run- ways, or just anchor them to the bottom of Lake Michigan where the catfish make quick work of their bodies.”
“They don’t bother me. They’re the nickel and dimmers seeking a spot in the penny ante game. My concern is not the under card, but the main event, the heavyweights who make their home across the street from your office, Michael, they are the operatives that do concern me!” Hamilton said.
The lone dinner made a note!
Pearlman sat his fork down, politely wiped his mouth with the impeccably pressed napkins with the logo of the Republican Party. He glanced around the room at all those muscle marked up captains of industry, power- lunching on the morsels of economic delight.
The lone dinner was gone!
Pearlman said, “We wait for the thrust, my friend!”
It wasn’t long in coming. Thad’s private unlisted phone rang about 11:15 pm. Thad reached for the phone and glanced at Eleanor. She didn’t move.
He listened as the caller had asked him to do. The caller told Hamilton factiously that he too had to remain anonymous, just as Pearlman had requested. Thad tried to interrupt.
“Listen smart-ass, you and that tight ass lawyer got one chance, and only one chance to wise up. We saw you and your shyster lawyer at lunch. We know all about Mid-West Engineers, and your children’s school. You’re fond of those kids, aren’t you?”
Now Thad was frightened, at the mention of his kids, and he got very angry!
“Wait a minute, you bas…” Thad tried to get into the discussion, but the caller cut him short.
“You don’t make the ‘A’ team without practice and sweat on the balls. Get me? This ingenious little plan you and your wise guys have developed will work under only one scenario. You be in the Capitol rotunda at noon tomorrow, wise guy, and you’ll get the recipe!”
“But how will I know…”? Thad asked.
“We know you, dickhead!”
The dial tone lasted until the recorded operator said, “If you wish to make a call, hang up…”
Thad complied.
Thad immediately called the partners and Michael Pearlman to inform them of the call and the impending rendezvous at the Capitol. A meeting was arranged at Pearlman’s office at 7:30 am.
Eleanor, awaken by the call, brought Thad a glass of sherry. She thought he needed some color. He would need more than sherry Thad thought; maybe he should dust off the Smith & Wesson! But at that hour, sweet Eleanor had other ideas, she brushed off Erectus and he rose to the occasion.
“Do you remember when we were in West Palm Beach last February Thad?”
She inquired.
“Yes, wasn’t that when you were just so horney, I thought I would have to call in the recruits’” he laughed.
“Thad…my darling, my sweetheart, my main man, my only squeeze…this language of yours is the only flaw in your beautiful armor. I am praying that it is not genetic. I am a lot of things but I am not ever in horney, in heat, in ache…I am in fact, madly in love with you and blessed that you happened into my life.
“I was so turned on when we made love on the beach…by the pier,” she said.
“Something about doing it in public…there against the backdrop of raw nature…the waves pounding…my heart keeping time…your sweet breath on my cliterous…I was driven wild by just the thought of you…I could have climaxed with you across the street…but you are maddening…you wicked man…you know that?” she cooed.
What a woman…just what the doctor ordered. She sensed a moment of need in this man she adored and filled it with an emotion unique to the species. They made love and Hamilton