Chapter 8 - THE PRICE OF SAYING NO
The alternative financing came from Harbor State Bank.
Not generous.
Not easy.
A ninety-day covenant bridge.
Conditions:
$3 million owner capital contribution.
Sale of North Yard warehouse within sixty days.
Temporary suspension of family distributions.
Independent turnaround officer.
No executive bonuses.
Weekly cash reporting.
The bridge would preserve Riverport while allowing a full valuation and broader financing process.
Nathan stared at the proposal.
“You want three million dollars from us now.”
Sarah nodded.
“Collectively.”
Margaret laughed without humor.
“From what?”
Margaret’s liquid assets were substantial but not unlimited.
Nathan was already personally exposed.
Luke’s branch had investments, but Sarah could not raid Emily’s trust share casually.
Employee trust could not contribute enough.
Rebecca calculated a lawful structure.
Margaret: $1.2 million.
Nathan: $600,000.
Luke branch: $720,000.
Employee trust and senior managers: $480,000 combined.
Sarah said:
“We can do it.”
Margaret replied:
“You can risk Luke’s money while he is missing?”
“It’s his company.”
“And if he comes back and says you were wrong?”
Sarah swallowed.
“Then I answer to him.”
Nathan looked at the bridge terms.
“No executive bonuses.”
Sarah looked back.
“Yes.”
He knew what that meant.
His Easton retention package disappeared.
He said:
“So this alternative costs me personally, strips compensation, and leaves my guarantee in place.”
“For ninety days.”
“And if North Yard doesn’t sell?”
“Then Easton comes back to the table.”
Nathan leaned back.
“You call my deal self-interested. Yours lets you say you saved the family company while I absorb the risk.”
Sarah answered:
“That’s why you don’t vote alone and neither do I.”
Julian Croft, an outside governance adviser brought in by Rebecca, finally spoke.
“Independent committee.”
Nathan nodded slowly.
“Fine.”
Margaret did not.
She said:
“Every day you delay increases the chance there is nothing left for Luke to come home to.”
Then Sarah’s phone rang.
Major Hayes.
She stepped outside.
His voice was controlled.
“We found part of the convoy.”
Sarah pressed her hand to the wall.
“Luke?”
“We found his equipment.”
Not him.
His helmet.
Blood.
A damaged radio.
And evidence suggesting at least two people had moved away from the impact site on foot.
Luke might have survived.
Or might have been injured and carried.
No one knew.
Sarah returned to the room.
Margaret saw her face.
For once, the company disappeared.
“Is he alive?”
Sarah answered:
“They don’t know.”
Then Margaret reached for Sarah’s hand.
May you like
Sarah almost pulled away.
Almost.
