Shell Game (Stand Alone 2) by Joseph Badal Page A

you. Are we still on for tomorrow?”
    “That’s what I’m calling about. By the way, I have you on speaker in my car. Our CFO, Nick Scarfatti, is here with me.”
    “Hi Mr. Scarfatti,” Deakyne said. “What can I do for you?”
    “We’ve been reading and hearing a lot about banks not wanting to make commercial real estate loans because of pressure from banking regulators. Our financing needs are heavily real estate oriented. We wanted to make sure this wouldn’t be a problem for you. We didn’t want to waste your time.”
    Deakyne paused, as though gathering his thoughts. Edward expected to hear that there was no point in visiting with them the next day. “I very much appreciate your courtesy in calling me, but, unlike most of the banks in our area, we don’t have a big exposure to commercial real estate. When other banks were participating in the real estate boom, we took the conservative route. As a result, we have money to lend and feel that real estate values have pretty much hit bottom. We would be pleased to consider your loan request.”
    Edward and Nick looked at one another with expressions of ecstatic shock. “That’s good to hear, Mr. Deakyne. We’ll be there at 10 in the morning.”
    “Looking forward to seeing you, gentlemen.”
    Edward took his phone back from Nick, terminating the call and giving Nick a high five with his right hand. “Just when you think there’s no hope, opportunity raises its beautiful head.”
    “I’m not deviating from my current negative mindset until you sign loan papers and I see the payoff confirmation from Broad Street Bank,” Nick said, although Edward could hear relief in his voice.
    “Kiljoy.”
    “Realist. After what we heard today, I didn’t think there was a bank in America that could help us.”
    Edward looked at the dashboard clock and said, “4 o’clock. Even though I’m tempted to stop at McNally’s Tavern and get one drink short of plastered, I’m going to the office. You want me to drop you off at your house first?”
    “No, I’ve got a couple hours of work to do too. I’ll need a ride home later.”
    “Just let me know when you’re ready to leave. By the way, we ought to process the checks and credit card receipts in the vault. We can’t hold onto them forever. Even if we find another bank, it will take weeks to get the legal work completed.”
    “Already taken care of. We opened an account at Third Community Bank, that little bank down the street from the office. The branch manager nearly had a heart attack. A $600,000 deposit of checks and credit card payments is a lot of paper for a little bank.”
    “They shouldn’t get too attached to that money. We’re going to move it as soon as we find a new lender.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    Gerald Folsom entered the board room at Broad Street National Bank and sat at the head of the table. This was the first meeting he’d attended at the bank since the Feds took it over at 5 p.m. the previous Friday. Now that his CFO, Sanford Cunningham, had wrapped his hands around the high-level stuff – the computer systems, the loan and investment portfolios – he was ready to be briefed. Cunningham was already seated on Folsom’s right; Eli Black, the bank’s acting president, to Folsom’s left. Others in the room were Stanley Burns, Chief Credit Officer, seated next to Black; Sarah Long, Chief Operating Officer, seated next to Cunningham; Alexi Chenko, IT Department manager, seated next to Burns; and Frances Dougherty, the Chief Investment Officer, seated next to Long.
    Folsom pounded the file in front of him and barked, “Let’s do this.” He looked at his watch. “It’s 3 o’clock. I want to be on the road by no later than 4.”
    Used to Folsom’s management style, Cunningham looked around the room and wanted to laugh at the surprised looks on the others’ faces, but knew that wouldn’t be appropriate. Instead he jumped right into the agenda. “Ms. Dougherty, please brief us on your