Stone Barrington 27 - Doing Hard Time

Pete Genaro. Pete?”
    Genaro stood up and smiled at the group. “Gentlemen, I know that you have all become aware of the events of the past few days, during which two FBI agents were murdered on our property by bodyguards of Mr. Majorov, and a few minutes later, when those two bodyguards were murdered by Mr. Majorov himself.”
    “They were not murdered,” Majorov shouted, slamming his hand on the conference table. “It was self-defense!”
    “The police may have bought that,” Genaro said. “I don’t.”
    Majorov sprang to his feet. “Have you forgotten the importance of my investment in this property?”
    The chairman gaveled him into silence and told him to sit down and be quiet. “Please continue, Pete.”
    “I am also aware that Mr. Majorov has twice attempted to murder a valued customer of our casino. Gentlemen,” Pete said, “these actions hark back to a day when a different element held sway in this town, when a casino was not looked upon as a legitimate business. That day is past, and we must act to preserve our reputation as honest businessmen.”
    There was a murmur of assent around the table.
    “As you know, gentlemen, our bylaws provide for the buyout and removal of any investor whose conduct brings our corporation into disrepute. Today, I wish to make a personal offer, backed by the Las Vegas Investment and Trust Company, to purchase the shares owned by Mr. Majorov, valuing them by the formula stated in the bylaws, and simultaneously, I wish to move for Mr. Majorov’s removal from further ownership participation and immediate expulsion from these premises.” Genaro sat down.
    “Second the motion,” Albert Hegelman said.
    “Move the question,” Abby Greenbaum echoed.
    “With no further discussion,” Stein said, “the board will vote.” Greenbaum called the roll, and the vote was unanimous in favor, except for the vote of Majorov. “The motion having carried, Mr. Genaro will be treated henceforth as owner of the shares formerly owned by Mr. Majorov, and the paperwork is ready for signature in the adjoining room. Mr. Majorov, you are excused from this meeting.”
    Majorov stood and glowered at the gathering. “There will be blood,” he said.
    “If so, sir,” Stein said, “it will be yours.”
    “Hear! Hear!” everyone shouted.
    Genaro walked around the table, took Majorov by the elbow, and escorted him from the conference room. The two security men assigned to him awaited.
    On a table in the room were two documents and a cashier’s check. Genaro handed Majorov his pen. “Sign both documents,” he said.
    Majorov hesitated for a moment, then sagged. He signed both documents and received the check.
    “Gentlemen,” Genaro said, “please escort this gentleman from the premises. Housekeeping has already packed his bags and they are waiting for him, as is a car to drive him to the airport. Put him aboard his airplane, and watch it take off before you leave the airport.”
    Majorov leaned close. “I will kill you for this,” he hissed.
    Genaro leaned in, too. “If you want to get to the airport alive, you’d better shut your mouth and get out of here, you miserable son of a bitch.”
    He returned to the boardroom and got a round of applause from his fellow directors.
    “Pete,” Stein said, “in your brief absence the board has accepted my resignation as CEO and appointed you as my replacement. I will remain as chairman, of course.”
    “Thank you all, gentlemen,” Genaro said.
    •   •   •
    At the airport, Majorov got out of the car and boarded his airplane, while the pilots loaded his luggage.
    The pilots got back aboard. “We’re ready to start engines, Mr. Majorov,” the captain said, “and we’ve filed for Moscow with a fuel stop in Iceland.”
    “Scrub that,” Majorov said. “Refile for Teterboro, New Jersey.”

Teddy was done with his work in the armory by noon the following day. After lunch in the commissary, he dropped his car at his apartment building and took a taxi to Hawthorne Airport. He inspected the new paint on his airplane and, finding it excellent, paid the shop, then flew to Santa Monica.
    He taxied to Atlantic Aviation and spoke with the chief lineman about any hangar that might be available for purchase.
    “I heard a rumor that Craig Livingston, the rock star, might be selling his hangar,” the chief said. “I know for a fact he’s already sold two of his three airplanes. His chief pilot has an office in the hangar. You