Searching for my Identity

Chapter 24 Business Talk

Ladies the next chapter is waiting  for you I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy new year.  Stay healthy and I want to thank my beta reader again for so many things.  Just to let you know you're doing great 

"Logan, I'm glad that you're here. How's your family?" Sam inquired as the men sat together at the five-star restaurant, Plachutta. 
It was well known as one of the most beautiful locations in Vienna. They were chatting and catching up while waiting for Katherine Hoffmann, his best chief editor.  

"The kids and Rory are doing great. Jacob is attending preschool now.  I can't believe the baby is in school! But he really enjoys it.
He loves math best of all. Clearly, he gets that from me," Logan joked.
He continued updating Sam, "Grace and Nathalie are both attending the prep school Chilton.
Nathalie has an own column on the Franklin, the school paper in the school. I am very proud of her," Logan paused to sip his wine.
"Grace is my soft-hearted one. She helps out a lot at the local animal shelter and tutors other kids in math."  He paused again before finishing, "And Rory is currently developing ideas for a new book series. How are you and your family?"

"Wow, you have a lot going on!" Sam said smiling. "How I'm doing? Well, my daughter Lilly gave birth to a precious little girl.
Her name is Sarah. They are both doing great!  I'm a Grandpa!" Sam sat back and proudly laughed.
His eyes focused on someone entering the restaurant. "Ah, one of my most valuable employees has finally arrived," grinned Sam and pointed with a nod at his colleague.

The men stood up as the dark-haired woman approached them.

"Sorry for being late Sam, but I was detained in the office. Mr. Huntzberger, sorry for the delay. Did you have a good flight?" Kate asked smiling, put her bag down and held out her hand to Logan, who shook her side immediately.

"Hi Ms Hoffman. Yes, I had a pleasant flight. Thanks for asking. It's nice to finally get to meet you in person," Logan smiled.

"A pleasure for me too, Mr Huntzberger," Kate said warmly.

"Please call me Logan. After all, we've been talking so much these past few weeks, I already feel like old friends," Logan said pleasantly.

"Likewise Logan. Please call me Kathy or Kate," she responded before getting down to business.  
"Forgive me for jumping right to it, but I am really curious how we will save the Vienna Chronicle.
It will be a shame if the Waldorf Group buys out our beloved paper.  I mean...oh excuse me..." she said distractedly as her phone chimed. She fished out her smartphone from her purse.

A little smile appeared on her lips as she read her daughter Emma's name on display.  
She gave the men an apologetic smile and answered the call. "Hey, honey, what's up? I hope it's important because I have an appointment right now," Kate greeted her lovingly.

"Sorry to interrupt, Mom. Do you have a clue where my lucky outfit is? I can't find it!  And I want to wear it this evening for dinner tonight with Liam's father and his godfather. Please, it's very important..." Emma began to talk while she was looking through her closet once more to find her lucky outfit.

"Emma, sweetheart, I believe it is with the rest of the dry cleaning in the hall closet.
I didn't have a chance to put it away yet. Please look there, dear.  Now, I am sorry, but I really must go," Kate said to her daughter.

She hung up the phone and slipped it back into her purse. She looked at the two men who thankfully looked amused rather than annoyed at the interruption.  
"I sincerely apologize, gentleman. You both have children. You understand how teenage emergencies take precedence over all other matters," she joked.

Logan laughed and said, "Oh, trust me, I know!  If my Nathalie misplaces something, the whole world must stop what they are doing to help her find it!"

Kate laughed at Logan's comment and asked, "So you have a teenage daughter too?"

"Actually, I have two teenage daughters and a younger son.  I assure you, I understand the phone call!
And I hope your Emma finds what she was looking for. I would love to meet her while I am in town," Logan said.

"We'll see if we can arrange that at some point," Kate answered and then she opened her briefcase and restarted the business portion of the meeting.  
"So, as I began to ask, do you have a plan to save our little paper?"

"Well, I don't want to buy it,"  Logan said plainly. "I have toured the newsroom and your facilities. I have also read many back issues and interviewed several employees. You have a very strong staff of talented writers and employees."

"Thank you. It has taken us years to assemble the staff we currently have. I agree with you that there are many talented individuals.
I would hate to see them in the unemployment line.
I would also hate to see someone come in and reorganize the whole operation.
The reason it works so well and we are able to put out such quality publications is because of the ensemble of people we have working together in their respective roles,"  Kate explained.

"I completely agree with you, Kate.  It takes years to find individuals that can work together so well and compliment each other so well,"  Logan paused and sipped his wine. "But, I have also taken a look at your financial status. I won't cream coat it. It is not pretty.
The downward turn of the economy hit your paper very hard. I don't think you would survive another year with the given state of your accounts."

"Yes," Sam said in a depressed tone. "I know. I realize we may not have a choice other than to sell."

"You have another choice. You could merge with HPG. Of course, you would still own a big stake in your paper, but HPG would own a large portion as well,"  Logan said.
He went on to explain, "I do this rather often.  Sometimes, I will merge with a paper and insist on a complete overhaul of the operation.
This is normally necessary because of bad management.  But that is not the case for your paper.
Your paper is running efficiently and well.
The economy hurt you, not management.
So, in your case, I would insist on a larger stake, but make it part of the terms of the agreement that it keeps running exactly as is.
This would mean I would need contracts from your managers, writers, and any integral members of staff for a minimum of five years.
HPG would fund the paper until the economy turns and it is more able to stand on its own again.
Oh, and of course we would want our name added to the letterhead."

Kate and Sam sat shocked. This was a better deal than either of them expected. They thought for sure Logan would simply buy them out. They had feared they would lose most of their staff and all of their power.
But instead, Logan was offering them the chance to keep their beloved paper as it was with the stipulation that he owns the most amount of stock.

Kate couldn't control her grin.  She grabbed Logan's hand and excitedly said, "Deal! Deal!  We have a deal!"

Sam was equally excited but kept his composure a bit better.  He said, "Logan, this is the saving grace we were hoping for. I think we are both very much in favor of your proposal."

Logan grinned at them. He said, "Excellent!  I will have the papers drawn up and sent over in the next day or two.
I will want to meet with all the staff and tour the facility again more thoroughly as well."

As the two nodded, he continued, "Wonderful.  Now I apologize for cutting this meeting short, but I have a dinner appointment this evening.
I am meeting with a good friend of mine and his son and his son's girlfriend. I have been looking forward to seeing my godson for a while.
And I can't wait to meet this girl! With a teenage girl of your own, Kate, I am sure you understand young love and how cute it is to see."

"Oh yes, I understand. My Emma has a boyfriend now. They are just darling together.
You go and have fun. I will arrange for the staff to be assembled for your inspection in the morning, boss,"  Kate joked.

Logan laughed as he rose from the table. "It's been very productive noon, Sam and Kate.  I'll see you tomorrow."