CHAPTER 1: THE BBC OPPORTUNITY
"Joni Mathers?"
I turned at the voice. I was exiting the main lobby of Farnum Industries where I worked as the Executive Assistant to Mr. Farnum, the corporate CEO. Well... Executive Assistant was part of what I did for Mr. Farnum and the three Senior Vice Presidents in their exclusive office suite. The man I found leaning casually against the building wall seemed comfortable, self assured, but non-threatening.
"Do I know you?" I asked.
"I doubt it and I just barely know who you are," he responded.
"What do you want, then?"
"My intention is not to frighten or bother you. I'm someone who does things for other people. Mostly I learn things and pass that on to those who want to know. In this case, I was paid to determine if certain rumors were true and, if so, to learn as much more as possible. After accomplishing that, I was asked to deliver a message to you... and that is all."
I glanced around me as people working for the corporation continued to pass around me and him. What could be so important that someone was paying for this man to dig into all the information he could find? And what were the rumors he had referred to?
"What's the message?" I finally asked.
He reached inside his jacket and removed an envelop. "Are you familiar with The Arches downtown?" I nodded. It was a very high-end restaurant. He handed me the envelop. "I am told that his business card and cab fair is inside this. He suggested 7:00 PM tonight."
I chuckled. "You're saying someone I don't know is inviting me to dinner at one of the nicest restaurants in Miami. To what end?"
He held up his hands. "At this point, you now know as much as I do. But... if it has anything to do with the information I learned and reported to him, I think you will find it interesting."
With that message delivered, he turned and walked away down the sidewalk. I watched him for a moment until he was lost in the crowd crossing the street. How odd, I thought. What's the harm, though? Mr. Farnum is out of town so my evening is open. I slipped the envelop into my purse and started off in the opposite direction.
* * * *
The Arches was everything I had heard it was so I was glad I chose to dress to impress. A little black dress that stopped at mid-thigh, backless, and a plunging bodice. Thigh-high stockings, 4" heels, simple pearl earrings and necklace completed my outfit.
Exiting the cab, I smiled at the doorman who I was sure had a glimpse of the top of my stockings... maybe more. My time with Mr. Farnum had taught me the excitement available from exhibitionism and teasing. If I hadn't been still thinking more about who I was meeting and why, I might have thought to flash a bit more.
Approaching the podium inside, "I am joining a Mr. Tatum," I announced. She smiled, nodded, and led me into the restaurant. I was being led deep into the restaurant and as we continued I scanned ahead for a table with a single man. At a far corner booth sat a single black man. A quite large single black man who was focused on our approach.
He was out of the booth and offering his hand as we arrived. "Ms. Mathers, thank you for meeting with me." His hand was massive around mine and his grasp was strong while still gentle. He appeared to be in his early 40's (I would learn him to be 42) though he seemed younger due to being in obviously magnificent shape. I guessed his height at six and a half (6'-5" as it turned out) and he was... muscular. Even dressed in dress slacks, white shirt open at the collar, and business jacket, his massive body was evident. And, very black with deep dark eyes and short-cut black hair. So this was Jason Tatum, president of Ebony Enterprises LLC and retired NFL defensive end after 12 very successful years. Yes, I did my own quick internet search. We must have appeared as an example of contrast with me being a decade younger, white, barely 5' tall, and him weighing probably 2.5 times my 110 pounds.
"You have me at a great disadvantage, Mr. Tatum. But, I admit, I was too curious after talking to the other man. I needed to know what this was all about."
"Please," he offered, "call me Jason. May I call you Joni?" I nodded acceptance. "I promise, you will want to hear this. Let's have a nice dinner and I'll do what I can to explain everything."
He eased his way through the telling of the information he acquired and he was correct that it was information I definitely needed to hear. He started with a background and weaved his way through some details without rushing while gauging my reactions. His NFL career was long and lucrative. When he retired, he was set financially to do whatever he wanted, the result of a sound financial manager. With his college degree, he bought into a development firm and soon bought it fully. He downsized it to do only the projects he was most interested in. Along the way, he bought into a couple other diverse companies that interested him to form Ebony Enterprises. Development was his personal interest and it was that angle that led him and an associate to Farnum Industries who own some property that might possibly be developed. As discussions progressed, it was decided the property wouldn't work for them but by that time they had heard the internal rumors. A junior legal representative let slip some information pending and strategic manipulation uncovered a major investigation against the top officers of the corporation.
"Wait... what?" I stammered out. "Top officers? You mean...?" He nodded.
Rumors and innuendo came increasingly to the attention of HR and Legal. The tipping point, though, was when two outside people were found who provided the first real evidence of severe ethical misconduct that could threaten the trust, image, and brand of the corporation. The Board confidentially authorized the installation of surveillance cameras inside the executive suite.
"Oh God, no!" I blurted out with my face sinking into my hands. The next words were mumbled, "They know everything." I looked up suddenly, "Why are you telling me all this?"