The plane landed without either of them even noticing, they were that engrossed in the conversation about what James had figured out. The redheaded attendant came out to let them know they had landed. Tommy quickly got up and made his way to the door, which was already down along with the stairs. A car was waiting for them at the bottom already.
“One thing your people are is efficient,” James commented as he followed Tommy down the stairs to the open door in the dark SUV that a driver was holding open.
James got in first. Tommy turned before getting in and looked at the attendants that came down after them. “I will see you three later tonight, right?” They all nodded yes at the same time. Then he got in. The door closed and soon they were driving.
“I never realized what a dog you were.”
“Am not. I mean I have needs just like the next guy.” They both laughed. Soon the vehicle entered the city. It made its way to Manhattan.
It was almost downtown when they approached a smaller building, though it was still over ten stories. James couldn’t get a good look since they were moving. The front had press outside. He figured they were still trying to get a statement about the Matherson estate. It was estimated to be worth a couple of hundred million, and he had no heirs. In the back a garage door opened and the SUV entered.
It stopped right by an elevator with two men in suits standing on either side. Tommy got out before the driver could open the door. He approached the door, both men looked at him as he did. He pulled out his wallet, then a card from it and waved it in front of a small black square on the wall. The doors opened. Both men looked forward again. Tommy turned, “Let’s go slow ass.” James got out and got in the elevator.
There was only one unmarked button on the wall. Tommy pushed it. The doors closed and James could feel the acceleration. It was faster than most elevators he had been in. “Where is this thing going?”
“To the top. It’s the only stop man.”
“Oh crap. Are we going to be here a while?”
“I imagine.”
“I didn’t bring anything with me.”
“Really dude? We flew on a private jet and have been chauffeured around after a catered breakfast. I think someone can manage to get you a t-shirt and jeans from Walmart if you need them.” Tommy reached over and lightly smacked the back of James head.
“I guess I deserved that.”
The elevator stopped and dinged. The doors opened to a lobby. Both of them stepped out. “Which door are we going through?” James asked.
“What do you mean?”
James turned and saw what he meant, he was looking at the wall with three doors. To his actual left and right the lobby opened into other areas. Then he saw what was most likely the staff. Four people stood at the far end and gave a small bow to Tommy. A well dressed man approached from behind them.
“Mr. Patterson, am I on time?”
“Please sir, anytime you arrive is the correct time,” the man said.
“Allow me to introduce James, my associate.”
“It is a pleasure,” Patterson said as he extended his had.
James reached out and shook it. He looked at Tommy, “Is this the lawyer…..”
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Tommy interrupted him, “His son. Mr. Robert Patterson has been happily retired to his Caribbean estate about ten years now.”
“Twelve, sir.” The younger Patterson said.
“How is the old guy? Still fishing and scuba diving?”
“Very much. He is doing as well as ever. Not to hurry you sit, but shall we get to the formalities?”
“Of course. We will meet you in the office in a bit. You may excuse the staff for the night as well.”
“As you wish sir.” Patterson turned and approached the staff. They all turned and went another elevator on the far side of the room beyond the lobby. Then Patterson disappeared as well.
“Does he know you are a time traveler? He seemed familiar with you.”
“He has no idea. All he knows is that I would show up to conduct business as Todd. He learned from his father not to ask questions and just do what was asked.”
“The curiosity would kill me.”
“Well, he saw his father work normal hours his whole life. Have plenty of time for his family, as opposed to most lawyers and then retire to basically his own tropical island for his golden years. All his son had to do to end up the same was to do as he was told and keep his mouth shut.”
“When you put it that way, I guess I would just do as I was told as well.”
“I watched that guy basically grow up as well. He was around the office a lot as I showed up to do business. Don’t worry you will get used to it.”
The two of them walked in the direction that Patterson did. As the did James realized they were in a penthouse. The layout was amazing. The furniture looked like it cost more than his car, each. When they reached the kitchen, an entire array of snacks was laid out on the counter. “Snack?” Tommy asked.
“I am still good from breakfast.”
“Well if you get hungry there it is.” They went down a hall and entered to what Tommy had called the “office”. It was in fact a large library. The kind with shelves to the ceiling, but a tall ceiling. With one of the ladders that slid along the edge so you could go up to the top and grab books.
In the center was a desk the size of a boat. It looked older than thee written word. Patterson was sitting behind it. “Shall we proceed?”
“By all means.” Tommy sat down on the other side of the desk and motioned for James to sit next to him. He did.
Patterson had several documents laid out. “As you know you are the sole beneficiary of Mr. Matherson’s estate. All agreements made by him with others are in perpetuity and transfer to you. By signing these you here by take on all the benefits and burdens of the estate. Do you understand?”
“Fully.” Tommy took a pen that Patterson handed him and started to sign.
Patterson then looked at James. “You, as the witness to these proceedings will need to sign as well.” He then handed James a pen and pointed to where he had to sign. “For acting in this capacity today you shall receive a small payment for services rendered, after signing this non-disclosure though.” Another document was placed in front of James.
“What the hell is this?”
“Just a guarantee, nothing serious.”
James looked at Tommy, “You don’t trust me?”
“Trust has nothing to do with it. I just like having everything is covered.”
“That kind of hurts man.”
“I know, but if you haven’t grasped the full scope, you will soon and then you will understand.”
“I would never betray you dude. But I guess it won’t hurt to anyway.” James leaned over and signed the document once he was done signing all of the witness spots on the other documents. As soon as he dated it Patterson handed him an envelope. He took it and opened it. His eyes almost popped out of his head. “Twenty-five million?”
Tommy calmly put his pen down and turned to his friend. “I figured if you wanted out at any point that you should at least have enough to do whatever you wanted.”
“That is a chunk man. I mean what was Todd worth? Like 200 or 300 million?”
Tommy looked to Patterson, “What was your father’s worth when he retired?”
“Just over two billion.”
“Now James, if Todd’s lawyer was worth that much, guess how much Matherson himself must have had?”
James just stared at the two men for a bit. They seemed to ignore him as they continued to speak. “Do you have what I asked for?”
“I do.” Patterson put a briefcase on the desk after he had gathered all the papers. He opened it and took out two older model laptops. He handed one to Tommy and placed the other in the top drawer of the desk, then locked it.
“Very good. I think that will do it for now.” Patterson took the papers, placed them in the briefcase and then departed. After he left Tommy looked at James who still had his mouth open. “I need you to get into something more formal.”
“I don’t have anything.”
“At the end of the hall we came down is a bedroom, in the closet are some suits. They should all fit. The benefit of having the best tailors in New York able to make a suit based on photos. Put on what you like and grab and extra two or three. We leave in an hour.”
“To where?”
“By my math, 2005.”