A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 8

As promised, Lawson called Sidney on Monday from his hotel room. "Hey, things look promising, and there is a slight chance I can come home early." 

"That's great, Lawson, I hope you do. I miss you."

"I miss you too. Listen, I have a meeting, but I'll call you tonight."

"Alright, love you."

"Love you too." After he disconnected the call, Lawson drove to the meeting.

It was a boring conversation with a group of men who had nothing better to do with their lives than sitting in board meetings in expensive suits. He sat there half paying attention to their concerns while the small team that traveled with him handled the details. Finally, he could take no more of it.

"Why don't we just cut the crap," Lawson finally spoke. "None of this is being recorded. It's just us in here. All these fancy euphemisms and code words are not necessary. You want the trucks to keep rolling and your supplies to arrive on time, right? When have we ever failed to deliver that for you? We can get as technical as you want, but we know what's going on at the end of the day."

"Mr. Pierson," a balding man who had no life outside the executive suite, "the matter is not so clear cut. Growing expenses, money transfers, and various sundry details must be ironed out if we are to continue doing business. Our clients..."

"Want their things as fast as possible. They're worried about the bottom line, profits, right?" He got up and walked to where the man was sitting and got uncomfortably close to him. "That's what we want too, Tom. It is Tom, right?" He smiled his winning smile, but there was something dark behind that smile that not only Tom could see, but the entire room could also. The room grew silent as if hushed by an unseen hand. "You can always try to ship your merchandise with somebody else, but that means changes. It means possible screw-ups, and honestly, who wants that with such high-value cargo?" He let the question hang for a moment. "Not to mention your 'customers,' as you call them, your real 'customers' aren't people who put up with screw-ups for long now, are they?"

He gave a small laugh that was both charming and sickening at the same time to those who heard it. "You should know that my father raised me to be firm but fair. He also raised me to know when someone is trying to bullshit their way to get more out of you than what is due." He got up and walked menacingly around the room, smiling, making eye contact with each person sitting there. "Tell me, are your profits down? No? Are we always on time and deliver as promised? We are, aren't we? I see no problem, then. So shall we sign the contracts now, or should we wait until we have a stop in your supply chain?" Lawson stopped and looked back at the visibly shaken, sweat-covered, balding man. "What do you say, Tom? Have we got a deal? Of course, we do, don't we?" Tom nodded his head and wiped his brow. "You see, easy enough. Oh, calm down, Tom. Why don't I buy you a nice lunch to celebrate? Do you like a good steak? I know just the place."

That evening, Lawson first called his father. "Father, the deal is done. There's still a few details to work out, but we're good."

"Very good. Did you find our customers compliant?"

"Let's just say I gave them the old Pierson charm."

"Good finish up there and return as soon as possible. I want you to settle this wedding date as soon as possible."

"What's the hurry? There's plenty of time for that."

"Because, son, your engagement is big news, and this needs to be a spectacular event befitting a Pierson. That requires planning."

"Did Sidney talk to you about this? Because that's exactly what she said."

"Of course not; she doesn't need to. Set the date quickly."

"Yes, Father. We're supposed to take the yacht out on Saturday. I promise by the end of the weekend, we will have a date."

"Good. See that you do," and Leonard hung up.

Lawson changed in his room and went to Tavern on the Rocks, his favorite Seattle hangout. He dialed Sidney's number to check in on her before entering the tavern. They talked briefly about their days and how much he missed her. Before ending the conversation, he said he loved her and couldn't wait to see her Friday evening. Walking through the door, he put his phone in his pocket and went to the bar.

He ordered a drink and began to survey the bar's occupants. At the far end sat a blond woman with slightly curled hair. He approached her, smiling as they locked eyes. "You must be Ashley," he said, sitting beside her. "I must say your picture doesn't do you justice."

"You must be Lawson. It's great to meet you face to face. Are you going to be in town long?"

"Long enough," he said. "You want another drink?"

"Sure," she said as she finished the cocktail and set the glass on the bar. He ordered another drink and turned his attention back to Ashley. "So, how long have you used the dating app?" she asked him.

Lawson gave a sarcastic laugh, "Dating app? You could call it that, but a few years off and on. You?"

"About three months. Like you, not very often, but it's nice when you want no-strings-attached attention, right?"

"My thoughts exactly," Lawson said as he finished his drink. They stayed at the bar for about an hour before taking a cab to his hotel room.