He took out a pack of makin's and began to roll a cigarette.
I turned back to McAllister.
"I'm going to need a lot of help," I said. McAllister showed his interest with his eyes. He didn't speak. "I’ll need an adviser, a consultant and a lawyer," I continued. "Are you available?" He spoke slowly.
"I don't know whether I can find the time, Jonas," he said. "I've got a pretty heavy practice."
"How heavy?"
"I gross about sixty thousand a year."
"Would a hundred thousand move you to Nevada?"
His answer came quick. "If you let me draw the contract."
I took out a pack of cigarettes and offered him one.
He took it and I stuck one in my mouth. I struck a match and held it for him.
"O.K.," I said.
He stopped in the middle of the light. He looked at me quizzically.
"How do you know you can afford to pay me that kind of money?"
I lit my own cigarette and smiled. "I didn't know until you took the job.
Then I was sure."
A returning smile flashed across his face and vanished.
Then he was all business.
"The first thing we have to do is call a meeting of the board of directors and have you officially elected president of the company.
Do you think there might be any trouble on that score?"
I shook my head. "I don't think so. My father didn't believe in sharing.
He kept ninety per cent of the stock in his own name and according to his will, it comes to me on his death."
"Do you have a copy of the will?"
"No," I answered. "But Denby must.
He has a record of everything my father ever did."
I hit the buzzer and Denby came in.
"Get me a copy of my father's will," I ordered.
A moment later, it was on the desk – all official, with a blue lawyer's binding.
I pushed it over to McAllister. He flipped through it quickly.
"It's in order," he said. "The stock is yours all right.
We better get it probated right away."
I turned to Denby questioningly.
Denby couldn't wait to answer. The words came tumbling out.
"Judge Haskell in Reno has it on file."
"Call him and tell him to move on it right away," I said. Denby started out. I stopped him. "And when you get through with him, call the directors and tell him I'm having a special meeting of the board at breakfast tomorrow.
At my house." Denby went out and I turned back to McAllister. "Is there anything else I ought to do, Mac?"
He shook his head slowly. "No, not right now. There's only the German contract.
I don't know too much about it but I heard your father say it was a great opportunity.
It's got something to do with a new kind of product.
Plastics, I think he called it."
I ground out my cigarette in the ash tray on the desk.
"Have Denby give you the file on it. You look at it tonight and give me a breakdown tomorrow morning before the board meeting.
I’ll be up at five o'clock."
A strange look began to come over McAllister's face.
For a moment, I didn't know what it was, then I recognized it.
Respect.
"I'll be there at five, Jonas."
He got up and started for the door. I called to him before he reached it,
"While you're at it, Mac, have Denby give you a list of the other stockholders in the company.
I think I ought to know their names before the meeting."
The look of respect on his face grew deeper.