Hampton Manor (8 page)

Adam III waited for his father, sitting in an overstuffed leather chair that was a duplicate of the chairs in his own den. A bar was set up in one corner of the room. Shots of alcohol, brands favored by both father and son, liqueurs and beer are dispensed by an elaborate machine installed to control Adam II’s alcohol consumption which is strictly limited by his doctors to prevent interactions with the medications he must take daily. Adam III can override the system for his own use and is reminded by a flashing message on the monitor to reset the dispenser when he is finished. As he waited he mixed a rusty-nail, dropped in a few ice cubes, swirled the drink around a few times and took a sip. He smiled as he allowed the fluid to roll over his tongue and slide gently down his throat. He slumped back in the chair as he allowed his thoughts to drift,
I see Marcia again tonight. I wonder how her day has been going with that loser Masterson. I picked the right person for the job. She can bust chops with the best of them when she sets her mind to it.

He looked down at the glass in his hand and reprehended himself,
I’ll have to be on my best behavior tonight. If I don’t watch myself I’ll be giving away the company. I’ll order the recommended wine with the meal and I won’t have more than one of these at her place for a nightcap. I’m sure I can find something better to do when I’m with her, than to suck these things down..
The possibilities that came to his mind produced a big smile and a gentle stirring in his loins.

Adam looked at his watch. He had been waiting twenty minutes already. As he rose to check on things, John opened the door poked his head in the room and announced, “Your father will be ready in about five minutes. When he heard he had a visitor, he insisted on getting dressed in a suit and tie. There was no arguing the point with him. It took Barry a while to get your father to decide on the right suit, shirt, tie and shoes.”

As he spoke, Bootsy and Flopsy squeezed their way into the den. Adam wondered if the two beagles might have been the real cause for the delay. His father missed the dogs and relished the “kisses” and enthusiastic greeting they always gave him. They nudged him whenever he stopped scratching their bellies or behind their ears. Adam finished his drink and was preparing to refresh it when the door opened and Adam Hampton II made his grand appearance.

In the doorway stood a more portly version of the man that as few as four years ago was universally regarded as one of the world’s most successful corporate executives. A man feared by friend and foe alike. A man who made up new rules when the existing ones didn’t fit into his plans. This was not the broken man that he visited two weeks earlier. Adam couldn’t help but think,
The doctors might be right. The new medicine appears to have reversed or eliminated some of the overt behavior so common to Alzheimer’s disease.
Dad looks to be his old self.

Adam II’s eyes lit up as he saw Adam. “I’m so happy you’re here. It’s been a while.” He rushed over to his son and gave him a big bear hug.

“It’s great seeing you, too,” Adam III said, trying, unsuccessfully, to hold back the tears. He took out a white handkerchief and blotted both eyes. “Have a seat, I have some really great news to share with you. First, can I get you something to drink?”

“The usual, please. Three fingers of Johnny Blue, neat,” he answered as he settled into the other leather chair. Johnny Walker Blue Label was his favorite drink.

Adam returned with his father’s drink and his second rusty-nail. He raised his glass in a toast, “Here’s to finally reaching our most sought after goal.”

They clinked their glasses and settled back into the chairs as they sipped their drinks. A quizzical look appeared on his father’s face as he asked, “What goal is that?”
 

Adam hesitated a moment. He had hoped that his father would immediately figure out what he was alluding to. That was probably too much to expect. He reached for his wallet and removed a yellowed newspaper clipping. He unfolded it carefully and handed it to his father. It was a picture of a jubilant Kane Masterson taken at the Preston Industries stockholder meeting that voted down Adam II’s offer to acquire the company.

“I remember this man. That was a dark day for Hampton Industries.” His voice quivered, “This is the man who was responsible for the biggest failure in my life. I’ll never forget that smug look on his face.” He refolded the clipping and returned it. “Why are you showing me this?”

Once again Adam was disappointed that his father hadn’t connected the dots. He grinned as he answered. “Because, as of yesterday, Hampton Industries owns Preston Industries, lock, stock and barrel.” He hesitated for a moment, seeking some sign of recognition. Nothing yet, so he continued. “I swore that I wouldn’t rest until we brought them down, Kane Masterson included. The battle is at last over and we are the victors.”

His father finally showed some emotion. At first he seemed disturbed as if he had recalled something that had been deeply buried for some time. Then his mood did a one-eighty as he said excitedly, “Why, that’s great news. I’ll need to get to the office right away. Their going to need me. Tell them not to do anything until I get there.”

His father’s response was totally unexpected. The son fumbled for a response, finally settling on, “I think it would be best if we let the lawyers finish their work first. We don’t want to jeopardize any of the delicate last minute negotiations.”

That seemed to work. “Perhaps you’re right. I’m just so anxious to wipe the smile off that man’s face. To think, after all these years, he finally tripped up.” He offered his empty glass to Adam. “This calls for a celebration. I’ll have another of the same.”

Adam glanced at John, who was shaking his head from side to side. “I’m afraid the bar is closed.”

“What are you talking about? It’s still early. What kind of a place is this anyway, refusing to serve a man when he’s celebrating a great victory?

Adam nodded his head as a signal to John, who immediately rushed up to Adam II, leaned over and whispered into his ear, “You’re needed in the other room, Mister Hampton. We need to go right away.”

Adam Hampton II rose and extended his hand to his son. “It looks like I can’t have that drink after all. I have to go. now. Some pressing matters that need my attention. Thanks for bringing me the good news.” He hesitated for a second and added, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”

Adam III was more surprised than hurt by his father’s remark. During their conversation there had been no indication that his father didn’t recognize who he was. He recovered sufficiently to reply, “Names aren’t really important, Mister Hampton. I just wanted to bring you the news, personally.”

“Well I’m sure glad you did. It looks like I have to go now. You have a good day, sir.”

John escorted his father from the room as Adam looked at the empty is glass in his hand and pondered refilling it. Any other day he would have had at least one more, but a mental picture of Marcia Bloom, sans her filmy silk robe was sufficient to overcome the temptation.

John stopped him as he and the dogs prepared to leave the ante-room. “I’m really sorry about that, sir. I neglected to tell him who was visiting. I apologize.”

“It’s not your fault, John. I’m not sure it would have made any difference anyway. This is just a reminder that Alzheimer’s is often more distressful for loved ones than it seems to be for the patient. I think we’re all expecting miracles with that new medicine. We need to give it time. I’m just pleased that he decided to get dressed up for the meeting and he certainly brightened up when I gave him the news about Preston Industries. I sensed that he was able to recall the situation. You know, John, there was a period a few years back where he lived and breathed acquiring Preston Industries. Those memories must be deeply ingrained in his mind. I think bringing them to the surface will be of help for his.recovery.”

“I’ll make sure that the recordings of what went on are given to his doctors.”

“Thanks, John. Come on girls, it’s time to go.”

Adam returned to his den. The glowing fire relaxed him as he went over the events of the last half hour.
I wonder if sharing the news about Preston Industries with him might cause some problems down the line. I was certainly surprised by his wanting to get back to his job right away. That medicine may be too good. I’m going have to monitor his progress closer in the future so I don’t get blindsided.

Chapter 13

Adam arrived at the Sedgwick Arms Suites a little before 7 p.m. The gated community of sixty upper class town houses rested in a cozy suburb north of Old Brooking. He entered her house code into the keypad and waited for her answer.

“Is that you Adam?”

“Yes, it is”

The panel buzzed and the twenty foot iron gate began to swing open. He drove down the right fork about a quarter of a mile and parked his Buick Lucerne in front of the Brighton Suite sign.

Marcia was at the door waiting for him. “Come on in,” she said as he walked up the short entryway, through the door and into her living room. “I made some hors dourves in keeping with the theme for tonight’s dinner. We have a little time, don’t we?”

“I’m sure we can spare fifteen or twenty minutes. What culinary surprise do you have for me?”

“I have mini-quiche Lorraine and a liver pate and garlic/onion crackers. I don’t know about you, but I just had half of a roast beef sandwich around noon, and I’m really famished. Can I get you a drink?”

“I think I’ll wait until we get to the restaurant.” He was pleased by his self-control. “I had a few drinks earlier when I met with dad.” He placed a quiche, a scoop of pate and some crackers on a plate, grabbed a napkin and took a seat at the end of the leather couch.

She filled her plate and joined him on the couch. “That’s right, you were planning to break the good news to your father. How did that go?”

“I got mixed signals. On the one hand, the new medicine has transformed the man. He has come out of the shell that Adam Hampton II has been hiding in and is once again exhibiting many of the characteristics that made him a ‘Captain of Industry’. On the other hand, there was one incident that occurred when I was leaving that shook me up a bit.” Adam stopped for a minute to gather his thoughts, “During our time together he gave every indication that he understood about our takeover of Preston. He even wanted to go to the office to manage the details.”

Again he hesitated, “Then, as I was leaving, he asked me for my name.” Tears began welling up in Adam’s eyes. “He actually thought I was a messenger from the office, bringing him the good news.” His voice cracked as he got the last part out.

“You poor man. I guess it’s going to take a bit more time.” She patted him gently on the hand. It does sound as though he is making some progress, though”

“I suppose you‘re right. He left our meeting with a smile on his face. That was good to see.”

It was time for Adam to change the mood. He reached for the knife and “pate’d” a cracker. He took a bite and immediately voiced his approval. “Wow! This is great. What did you put in this?”

“It’s a new recipe I got out of a gourmet magazine. It’s got veal and chicken livers ground together with onion, bacon bits and a touch of garlic. It’s a great recipe, isn‘t it?”

“I could stay here and enjoy these all night.

Ten minutes later the snacks were finished and they left for the restaurant. They pulled into the restaurant parking lot with ten minutes to spare. Adam handed the keys to the valet and they walked into the Champs Elysees. The five star restaurant is usually booked three to four weeks in advance. The Hampton name had a way of cutting through all that.

“Monsieur Hampton, it’s a pleasure to see you again. Your table is waiting, please follow me.” He led them to a quiet little table in the corner and handed them a one page menu. “Your waiter will be Henri. He’ll be right with you.”

There were only four entrées on the menu. They decided to wait until the waiter showed up to make their choices.

There was nothing French about Henri. He was really just a “Henry“, with a phony accent and an abundance of pretense, or at least that was how he came across.

“Have you had a chance to select your dinners, monsieur.

Playing along, Adam said, “Yes, Henri, we have. We’re both having the halibut with parsley-lemon sauce, roasted potatoes and green beans. We’ll skip the appetizers and salads today. We would like an appropriate bottle of wine.”

“May I recommend the Domaine Seguin-Manuel Puligny Montrachet?”

Adam quipped, “You may and that’s fine as long as I don’t have to repeat it.”

Marcia gave him a big smile, but Henri, remained stoic.

“Very well, sir. I’ll be right back with your wine.”

When the wine arrived, Adam sniffed the cork, swirled the wine around in the glass and sniffed the aroma
. So far, so good. Two can play this game
. He took a small sip and let it roll over his tongue as he swallowed it. It had the bouquet and taste of hazelnuts and flowers with a slight lemon acidity. All in all, a thoroughly fine tasting wine. Adam gave Henri an approving nod. With an exaggerated flourish, Henri poured their glasses, re-corked the bottle, nested it in the ice bucket and headed back to the kitchen.

Adam looked at Marcia and the two burst into laughter. He shook his head as he said, “It seems that good food comes at a greater price than just the dollar amount listed on the menu. Why is it necessary to have to endure all the pomp and ceremony? You know, one of these days I’m going to reject a bottle just to see how they’d handle it.