Deadly Negotiations
Phil Armstrong
Copyright 2010 by Phil Armstrong
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Chapter 1: The things we cherish
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1890
It was a bright summer day on Duke, a busy main street in the heart of town. A few fluffy clouds dared to race across the sky, as the strong breeze blew in from the sea. Mr. Johnson, from Johnson's Watch Co. had acquired his skills from his Swiss Father. He passed away from the cold, damp air, of a nasty Maritime winter. Mr. Johnson had left his store, and his knowledge, to his son, Nathaniel Johnson. The store was now safely in the custody of a long line of watchmakers. Nathaniel lacked confidence; he'd not earned the reputation as a gifted watchmaker. The truth was still waiting to be discovered; Nathaniel was perhaps the finest, most creative, watchmaker in North America.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, but that man is back again and he's asking for you." Nathaniel calmly rested his tools and stared beyond the bright light that illuminated his delicate work. Daisy was Nathaniel's wife. She knew instantly that Nathaniel was the man she'd dreamed about meeting. They married quickly and she could not have been happier. Daisy had a pleasant disposition, perfect for her job; greeting customers in the front of the store. The customers seemed to like her easy-going approach and the fact that it was a family business. Her growing stomach reflected an imminently new addition to their family. Since Nathaniel took over the store, business had been steady. They'd discussed changing the design of their watches; they needed an update, a more modern look. The store looked old and staunchly traditional. For now, they couldn't afford to modernize its appearance. They did manage to increase the price and complexity of their watches. Nathaniel's first set of complicated watches, sold out in two weeks. His reputation was starting to travel nicely within the influential crowd.
"Is it the same man as yesterday?"
"Yes, he said it's important." Daisy rubbed her ample belly, drawing Nathaniel's eyes to the impending delivery.
"Let me go and see what he wants.” Nathaniel gently rearranged the components of the watch under construction. He moved his delicate tools to rest upon a black velvet cloth and rubbed his hands upon his apron. He seldom ventured into the store; he spent most of his time in the back, making new watches or repairing old ones. Nathaniel emerged to see a well-dressed man admiring the watches proudly displayed within the glass cases. He was a tall, slim man, wearing an immaculate tweed suit and expensive black polished shoes. The man had graying hair and a crisp white shirt, black waistcoat, and a brilliant blue silk tie. "How can I help you Sir?"
The man straightened his back and approached the counter confidently. "Mr. Nathaniel Johnson, I presume?" His accent was clean and crisp, obviously from the old country.
"That's correct, what can I do for you Mr....?"
"My condolences about your Father, he was a good man; an honorable man."
"Thank you," said Nathaniel, still perplexed.
"I knew your Father well. In fact, before he died, we'd conducted some business together. My name's Mr. Pike, I'm a banker."
"Well Mr. Pike, I don't mean to sound rude, but I have uncompleted work that I need to attend to." Nathaniel glanced at the door leading to his workshop. He let the sentence hang, trying to instill a sense of urgency to the conversation.
"As do we all, Mr. Johnson, as do we all." Mr. Pike leaned over the counter and pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket. "You'll need to have a look at this. It's the documentation your Father signed; a loan I made to your Father, on behalf of the Old Dominion Bank. It states that, should your Father pass away, rendering him incapable of fulfilling his obligations, then all of this," the man swept his hands in a circular motion, "is now mine. The store, the fixtures and the watches, now belong to me."
Daisy gasped and immediately wished she hadn't. She dug her nails tightly into her palms in self- disgust. Nathaniel tried to act calm, although his heart was beating hard within his chest. He reached for the documents, tucked neatly within the envelope. For a brief moment he reviewed the terms of the loan and stared at his Father's signature. Two people, bearing their names and signatures, had witnessed the document. He glanced at Daisy's expectant face and turned his attention to the banker. Mr. Pike, is there something that we can do? Perhaps we can assume the loan and continue to repay my Father's debts?"
Mr. Pike had noticed Daisy's expectant condition. He had little empathy and prided himself on conducting business, as stated within the agreed terms of the contract. That, in his opinion, was why we had contracts, to cut through cloudy sentimental feelings.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. We're going to confiscate the inventory and close the store, unless you can afford to buy it?"
"Listen, I beg you, there has to be a suitable arrangement?"
"Careful Mr. Johnson, I'm a man of great integrity." Mr. Pike stiffened his posture to match his attitude.
"Of course, I understand, but does the bank really want a dusty old store and a few watches that are out of style? Wouldn't you rather have me assume the loan and continue to charge me interest? I mean, in the current economy, this store will remain empty for quite some time. Come on Mr. Pike, you're a businessman, and you're looking for the best deal."
"What are you suggesting Mr. Johnson?"
Nathaniel moved from behind the counter. It was a sales trick his Father had taught him, to close a deal. He approached Mr. Pike, to make the following proposition. "I cherish this store, it means so much to me. My father dreamed of this store. He came to Canada, searching for a better life. I want to carry on his tradition and passion. Please let us work a deal with you, a deal where we can all win. I'm willing to assume the loan and pay you back in full. I want to clear my Father's debt, please Mr. Pike, we're hard working people."
Mr. Pike leaned across the counter; he paused, deep in thought. His tweed suit was exquisitely tailored, a fine Yorkshire woolen weave. His white shirt and starched collar, shone like a ships beacon, within the dark store. His cufflinks were made of gold circles, with deep black onyx stones, set perfectly in the center. Mr. Pike looked expensive, except for one thing, the watch. The leather strap was worn and the watch model was adequate, at best. It was clear that Mr. Pike was not yielding. As he opened his mouth to decline the desperate offer, Nathaniel silenced him with one last attempt.
"And, of course, I'll custom craft the watch of your dreams; as a token of my family's appreciation. A fine banker of your standing should have a bespoke watch, one like no other."
Nathaniel caught the glint in Mr. Pike's eye. Appealing to his sense of vanity, he'd certainly struck a chord. "Do you know anything about me boy?"
Nathaniel had to choose his next words carefully, to coax the conversation along. Daisy shot Nathaniel a look that suggested he'd made the situation worse. "No Sir, that's why you need to give me some ideas; I'm sure that a man of your standing knows exactly what he wants to see in his watch."
A smile flashed across the banker's stern face. "I like this," he said, pointing to a large masculine watch, proudly displayed in a glass case. "But I want something very unique."
"Good, tell me what you have in mind." Daisy pushed her heavy body from the support of the doorframe. She walked slowly towards the two men, who were deep in conversation.
"Ever since I was a young boy, I've collected spiders. At first, it was catching spiders on the dock, using a glass jar. Today, I have means; I collect exotic specimens, artfully mounted in beautiful display frames. Some people don't like spiders, but I do. They're wonderfully efficient creatures. They never show mercy." He stopped and glanced at the young couple expecting their new arrival. "I must be going soft but I'll draw up the new paperwork. You'll be heavily in debt and you can't affo
rd to miss a payment, or the bank will foreclose on you, understand?"
Daisy stood motionless, in shock. Nathaniel nodded eagerly.
"One day a dock worker brought me a spider, he'd found it on the docks. They often hitch a ride on the cargo ships. I paid him handsomely, had it mounted and framed, and now it's my favorite. They call it a Black Widow spider. I want my watch to look like a Black Widow spider. Can you do that?"
"Bring me the framed spider and I'll craft you a watch that has elements of the spider in its design."
"Good, then we have a Gentlemen's agreement," Mr. Pike extended his hand. Nathanial shook his hand vigorously, "We do."
"I'll be back tomorrow with the new paperwork and a framed Black Widow. Don't lose her." He gave Nathanial a chilling stare to underline his point. He glanced at Daisy, motionless. "Good day Madame, I hope your husband is as talented as I have heard, for both of your sakes."
Mr. Pike shuffled his way from the store in an ungainly way. As he left, Daisy seemed to emerge from her subdued state. "What have you done? How much do we owe?"
"I couldn't let this