Page 69 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

My mother shook her head at me. I was only breaking about a hundred rules of this dinner table, including rudeness to guests and talking about money. But this was important, damn it.

He glared, and I wondered if he was even going to answer me. “Yes, I had to make a financial settlement. But the details of both the suit and settlement are confidential so I would appreciate you not blabbing this everywhere.”

Now I was getting really angry. “Believe me, I’m already keeping enough of your secrets to last a lifetime. However, the real point is that you told us that her suit was baseless. If that was true, then why did you have to make a settlement?”

Uncle Thomas threw up his hands. “It’s all a negotiation. Both sides have to give up something to settle. You’re too inexperienced to understand that.”

My mother interrupted. “Actually, Thomas, Amanda has been very diligent about keeping me informed about the team situation in a way I never heard from you.”

“I had no idea that you wanted to hear about the hockey business, Jeannie. Quite the contrary.”

“But I do want to hear about the state of my investments. You know that I stay on top of my portfolio, and apparently the Vice are one of my weaker holdings. Amanda has explained all the difficulties of running an AHL team without the support of a larger organization. It’s made me reconsider things.”

My uncle raised an eyebrow. “And?”

“And I’ve decided that I want to sell my share of the team to the Millionaires. Amanda and Gregory both agree with this decision. So, unfortunately, that triggers the sale—even without your approval.”

I was shocked. But clearly everything I told her about Stella and the state of the team had affected her decision. She said she was going to make up her mind after the gala, and she didn’t waste any time.

Uncle Thomas remained remarkably calm. “That’s quite the opposite of how you felt before. And what price are they offering?”

My mother waved a dismissive hand. “We haven’t worked out the details yet. But Christopher Luczak is a decent fellow. I’m sure it will be fair.”

Uncle Thomas shook his head. “I’m sure it will be low. Poor Vince. He always prided himself on turning businesses around and boasted that he had never taken a loss on a big purchase.”

Anger surged up in me. And whose fault was that? While my father was there, the Vice had never gone into debt and the team was competitive. I opened my mouth to point this out, but my mother spoke first.

“Unfortunately, Vince is no longer here to turn the team around.” Her simple remark pointed out every insult I had wanted to hurl.

He leaned back. “What about your promises, Jeannie? You said you put family first, and you were willing to back me until I could return to work. The mediation has now been settled, and I’m now free to return to work.”

A tiny furrow appeared between her eyebrows. “When I made those promises, Thomas, I based them on everything you had told me. But you neglected to tell me about how much debt the team had.”

“That debt is merely a bookkeeping issue.”

I broke in, “No, the debt is an ongoing problem. It’s only going to get worse because the team revenues are in free fall. The only solution is a large infusion of cash and ongoing support, which the Millionaires would provide.”

His lips tightened. “That’s your opinion.”

My mother continued, “The main issue is one of trust. When I find that someone has misled me, I begin to wonder what else he may have misrepresented.”

My uncle wiped his mouth on his napkin, then placed it on the table. “I have never lied to you. But I can see that others are influencing you right now. Whatever you choose to do with your ownership position is completely your right, and I will respect it. Of course, I’m disappointed, but—” He shrugged elegantly. Then he leaned towards my mother. “Jeannie, if Amanda and I could have a moment together. There’s some Vice business that we need to discuss.”

My mother looked between the two of us. “I don’t understand why I can’t listen in as well. I’m as involved in this sale as either of you.”

“Please, Jeannie.” He lowered his voice, and a shadow of sadness passed over her face. He sounded exactly like Daddy, and she had heard it too.

She nodded. “I’ll just go and see about some tea.”

Uncle Thomas watched her leave and then turned to me. “Amanda, I can see that you’re driving the decisions around the team now.” He smiled. “I’m sure your father would be extremely proud of that.”

“Thank you.” I felt flattered, but wary.

He looked up at the ceiling, and his voice was pensive. “You’ve always been such an idealist, Amanda. Going off to teach children in third-world countries—very noble and admirable. Vince was proud of that side of you, but he did hope that someday you would return to Vancouver and work for Richardson-Whittaker.”

It was easy to see how Uncle Thomas could excel at his human resources position for so long. He had a knack for understanding people—what their real dreams and hopes were. He had touched on my one huge regret—that I never had the chance to acknowledge what a great man my father was. But the fact that he could identify people’s vulnerabilities only made him more dangerous as a manager.

I tried to hide how much emotion I was feeling. “Well, selling the family firm guaranteed that wasn’t going to happen.”

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