Chapter 36
“So gentlemen, I trust that wraps up this first family conference?"
Beswick, brilliant on the widescreen monitor, shuffled papers into a thick manila folder expertly. “It’s been excellent meeting you all, and especially you, Mason. Though I’m sorry to not have met your other two siblings.”
Cole could scarcely take his eyes off his little brother, in the little square picture within a picture, alongside that of Jack Dawson Senior and one of Beswick’s aides, a Cassandra Devon. It was so good seeing Mason in person, so to speak. Even though technically he was encouraged to communicate with family, his unit had been in areas where it hadn't been possible. This was the first time they'd seen him in over four months.
“I'm glad, too.” Mason was brisk and businesslike. He hardly seemed younger, even if that was only by a year. “It seemed an important occasion to reconnect and hear the details of our agreement.”
“I concur. It’s necessary to get to know one other. Even though I don't hold a controlling share, I do hold many. And we’re going to be working together. It’s important.”
“When the hell were you going to let me in on all this?” A sharp voice cut into the feed while another fuzzy grey square danced onto the screen, then appeared between that of Mason and Jack. It materialized into the image of a man with a very angry look on his face.
Cole bit his lip. Lucas.
“Lucas. How’d you hear about the meet?”
“And why wouldn't I hear about it? Why shouldn't I have knowledge of what the hell is going on in this family, and with my home? Any reason why I should be left out in the dark?"
“Maybe because we don’t know where you are?" Cole countered, bristling. “You're off on some who knows what kind of ‘find myself’ mission, and you don't bother to update us and let us know where you are. Don't you know Mom’s worried sick about you half the time? Dad too?”
“While the rest of you, especially you, dear brother, couldn't care less. You were glad to see the back of me, hoping you’d never see the rest of me again. And that includes you too, Mason.”
Lucas. Handsome to a fault, even when he was angry. And he was very angry right now.
Jack spoke. “Quiet, all of you. This is family business and not fitting to be wasting Mr. Beswick’s time with.”
“And I suppose Mr. Beswick’s opinion of us is so all-fired…”
Jack’s voice cracked like a shot. “Quiet!”
Suddenly, there was silence, from all participants.
Mr. Beswick’s aide spoke up. A young woman with her dark auburn hair pulled back severely, she hadn't said a word until now except for short, clipped yes’s and no’s to her boss. But now, her tone was strong and even.
“Gentlemen. There seems to be some confusion over how Mr. Dawson—Lucas—was apprised as to our meeting. I emailed him. As one of the main holders of Dawson Ridges, it was important he be informed as to this critical meeting. I must add, that holds with respect to any future meetings as well. These were my instructions from Mr. Beswick, so I carried them out."
Cole was shocked at how well the young woman held her ground with all these men. Good for her. But he still didn’t understand.
“But we don't know Lucas’s contact information. At least we didn’t. How did you…”
She shrugged, but there was the faint glimmer, for one second, of a look.
Ha. Bested all you big guys, didn’t I?
Then it was gone. But oh, it’d been there.
“Simple research. It wasn’t hard. Mr. Beswick asked me to ensure this task got completed. It did. I’ll forward the email address to all of you, including Mr. Dawson’s physical address.”
“Excellent, Cassandra. As I expected. Now, gentlemen, I have another meeting in exactly…” Beswick seemed to take the family eruption in stride. He glanced at his watch. “… four minutes. I trust we’re done here. I'll leave you all to work out the intricacies of your family dynamics. Good day. Cassandra, you’re with me on the other call.”
His picture disappeared immediately as did that of his aide.
Lucas spoke, anger still vibrating in his voice. “Dad, I’m glad you’re doing better. But Cole and Mason? Both of you, eat dirt. And…”
“That’s enough.” Jack interrupted, with the air of a patriarch that expected to be heard. “Cole, call me, right away. Mason, good to see you, Son. Stay safe and make us proud. Lucas? I better hear from you today, before sundown my time, or you may not be a partner in Dawson Ridges for very long. Hear?”
The meeting of Dawson brothers, the first in almost a year, broke up.