0 comments/ 16446 views/ 1 favorites Baldwin Ford By: egmontgrigor2010 ENGLISH BORN American immigrant Archie Baldwin opened Rasper Stables on High Street in the village of Rasper in October 1886, the same month that the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York, although only one of those two events received widespread attention. Understandably, some Rasperians were upset that the smelly stables had been erected at the end of the village's main street instead of being placed behind the funeral parlor where the last stables had been before collapsing under the might of a tornado eight months earlier, financially ruining the owner. Years later in 1912, with the horse servicing business in a slide, old Archie and his son Dick changed the face of the business and residents awoke one morning to find the stables had been renamed Rasper Automobiles Service Depot. Smelly horses were relegated to a rear extension to the premises and smelly gas engines began polluting the air from the front of the building. And so to the present. CHAPTER 1 Thin-faced and sallow in complexion, pugnacious by nature and possessing a lamentable sense of entitlement, wealthy Mayor Sally B. Moss, nearing the end of her second term as First Citizen, and Bob Clay, veteran city manager of Rasper (pop. 66,640), stood on the balcony of the mayor's office and discussed possible sites for the new City Hall. Mayor Moss, who with her husband owned Moss Transport, Moss Quarries and Moss Broadcasting that operated the city's most popular TV and radio stations, reached agreement on the best site for the replacement HQ. The decision was Rasper Ford Sales Inc., a property that ran through to Silver Street, occupied the only suitable site. The company also owned the slightly smaller property parallel with its southern side boundary. Part of that second property was leased to two stores on the High Street frontage and behind them the land was leased to a vehicle crash repair and auto painting business. Bob said as the mayor's chief adviser, "You'll buy a fight with the Baldwin family if you attempt to buy their patch of dirt that has been in the family for generations." "Yes I believe so. Be a good boy and get that double site for me and don't take too long about it. I want to have the replacement Town Hall underway and this site sold before the next election so that I can point to it as the major achievement of my current term. "I suggest that might be rather optimistic Sally. I don't think citizens will be overly thrilled with the mayor and council building grandly to house ourselves without any apparent gains for citizens." "I'll deal with that Bob. Off you go and plot how we can acquire the Baldwin's land with minimum fuss and the lowest possible price." Bob wandered off thinking the power hungry woman appeared to believe she could have everything she wanted, when she wanted and that any opposition would be crushable. Rasper didn't deserve to have that woman as its mayor. He decided he didn't want her lording over him for another mayoral term. * * * Widow Moira Baldwin, president and CEO of Rasper Ford Sales Inc., combed her hair and then went to the office of Paul Mancini, her vice-president and chief operating officer. "Figures are looking good for this month," she said, sitting down and peering over the top of her reading glasses. "Everyone out there is working hard, there's a bit of surplus money about now the squeeze on credit is lifting and so we have better figures Moira. That means better results for us is not one of the surprises of life." "I was thinking about your retirement." Paul smiled. "And now comes the good news. You are about to suggest I take early retirement with a big golden handshake?" "Six month's salary from the day you resign plus a Taurus demonstrator." Paul rubbed his chin and asked, "Coffee?" "No thanks." He leaned back on his chair and said, "I think 12 months' salary plus a Lincoln MKX demonstrator would be a really fair deal." "My offer was my top offer Paul. That is six month's salary in compensation for taking early retirement plus a car as a long service gift. It's a Taurus demonstrator but you may upgrade by paying the difference. End of negotiations." "I'll speak to Julie." Moira was driving home when Paul called. "Here's my offer. Six month's salary and a new MKX and I'll finish here on Friday week." "We are almost there," Moira said. "Make that a demonstrator MKX and for a tidy business exit you leave at the end of the month." "You ought to be selling vehicles Moira. Okay we have a deal." "Excellent Paul. You will be missed because you have been a good buddy of mine and I hope a social relationship continues between you and Julie and me. We will have a business cocktail party on your departure day and Kevin and I would then like to take you to dinner. I'll hand you your exit agreement to sign tomorrow. It's time my son succeeded you because he'll turn thirty tomorrow." "Thanks and a piece of advice. If you want Kevin to stay, find him a good wife to tie him down." "I've tried to match him up without success. As you know he's star-struck on Veronica Clay but regrettable she married last year but not to Kevin." "There are plenty of good young women around Moira and he ought to know that. But I guess you tell him and that's greeted in stony silence." Moira laughed and said so true. An hour after she arrived home her eldest child Kevin drove up and came out of the garage whistling, feeling perky after having been to the gym. Kevin had said, unwisely perhaps, he'd stay living at home until either she remarried or his sister Rebecca, finishing off a PhD at university and return home to live as planned. "Fat chance of me remarrying or Rebecca coming home indefinitely," she muttered, mixing a martini and grabbing a beer for Kevin. This was the ritual, observed most nights, something she enjoyed. "Hi baby," said her towering son with curly black hair she often itched to comb tidy. She loved the stupidity of him calling her baby when they were alone. The fool had the knack of making her feel special. She sniffed to confirm he'd showered at the gym and asked, "Good day?" "Yep," said the sales manager. "Three sedans and two Explorers sold, six trade-ins went out and listen to this, Tony sold four pickups to Blue Ridge Ranch and told Gus we didn't want their clapped-out vehicles they were replacing and Gus said he'd already arranged to sell them to his men." "Well that's an excellent day for your department. Is Keith ready to become your successor as sales manager?" "He's fully trained." "You become vice-president and chief operating officer from the 1st of next month. Paul agreed this afternoon to take early retirement. Your birthday present for tomorrow means handing over your Taurus to Keith after we tell him over morning coffee about his promotion. You can have a Mustang V6 Premium or V6 convertible." "What about a GT Premium?" Moira sighed and said she supposed so but if he wanted to load it with extras he had to pay for them. "Thanks baby," he said, hugging and kissing her. "You might be an old bag but you are my mom." Moira sighed, knowing he regarded that as teasing and therefore assumed she must like it. * * * Bob Clay waited patiently until Tuesday night when his son-on-law regularly went bowling with some pals and that was the night his daughter Veronica came for dinner. She ran a small business called Mr Fix-it for Home Computers. The enterprise wasn't very profitable but kept her busy until she went home to care for her husband John Hill, IT manager for a bank. They were sitting outside and when Dolly (Doreen) went off to prepared dinner. "Vonnie can I trust you to tell you something in utmost confidence?" "Oooh, intrigue. Of course you know you can. Remember I slept with you in the same hotel bed one night about five years ago and I gritted and didn't take advantage of you." Bob grinned. He waited and Veronica's brain clicked and said she promised absolutely. Bob told her about the mayor's plan to acquire the Baldwin's land, by legal force if necessary. "God daddy, that is awful. This is America." Bob snorted, "Hah!" Veronica sighed. She was sickened to learn what the Mayor Moss planned to do. Bob didn't reveal his motivation was to stop the mayor from succeeding with her grandiose plan and thus spoil her re-election chances. He just said the plan was grossly unfair as the Baldwin's were the descendants of the fourteen families living in the tent settlement at the time it was named Rasper village. [Sergeant Rasper and his troopers drove away hostile Indians who were harassing the pioneers two days away from where they settled on flats beside a small clear river that today cut through the city]. "That is diabolically unfair," huffed his pretty 29-year old daughter. "That bitch needs stopping and stopped hard." Bob had known he could count on his feisty daughter coming through for him. "I want you to engineer the revolt to kick in as soon as the mayor reveals the plan." "Who me?" "There is no one else here sweetie." "But even if I remained in the background as the planner of the counter-attack, I would eventually be unmasked and for that you'd be fired." "What for, being the father of a revolutionist acting lawfully in Free America? I don't think so." Veronica studied her wine glass and then said, "Dad I actually believe this has to be done and yes you'd be the wrong person to do it because you think too mildly. When the time comes I'll collaborate with Kevin Baldwin." ""Why not Moira?" "It's called tactics dad. Younger people have the vitality to fight hard, dirty if necessary and they ignore things such as protocols and what others might think about them taking on the establishment. We bring in Moira when we launch our 'rally behind us' call." "Good gracious Vonnie, don't go over the top over this." "Sally Moss will fight dirty dad. Our side will have to clobber Sally and her ochlocrats." "Well promise me you'll do nothing illegal." "Like what dad?" "Aw I don't know, um like bringing in a terminator?" "Jesus dad, you watch too many late-night films but thanks for the idea. Oh there's mom calling me to assist her." Bob watched the sleek shape of his daughter disappear into the house and sighed. Well at least she had no reason to be bored with her life now. This would be an issue that would split the city, er that's not counting the dopes that just wouldn't care. He thought Vonnie would be a great mayor when she was into her mid-forties after a bit of experience on council under her belt. John arrived home from 10-pin appearing elated, shouting their team had advanced four spots up the ladder in the club championship. Sighing and fingered herself wet because she knew he'd want sex and would be rough because he'd been drinking and he'd end up cursing because he couldn't get off, being in that condition. She disliked the smell of beer when they fucked. Why couldn't he drink wine? "Hi baby," he called, entering the bedroom and grinning. "Open those legs because I'm coming at you. You heard me call we won and went up four positions?" "Yes and congratulations." John knelt between her legs and rubbed up his dick. Veronica sighed because she knew he really wasn't long enough for this position and would keep slipping out, interfering with the rhythm. Both Molly and Maria said it was their husband's favored position and they had been disgusted that their husbands apparently discussed favored positions. "Isn't anything sacred?" Maria had said and they'd burst into raucous laughter when Veronica had pointed out they were discussing it. John penetrated and called "Let's go baby" and she sighed four strokes later, she'd counted, he slipped out and said the inevitable, "Crap." Veronica let her mind drift and thought she knew one guy who would be long enough to hold her on his thighs and ram her stupid, Kevin Baldwin. At the party on the last weekend before the old college gang by then college seniors began to disperse to go off to college she'd been coming out of the bathroom just as Kevin was coming in. He'd pushed her back in and locked the door and told her to learn over the vanity and get ready while he had a pee. She'd often wondered about Kevin but had remained faithful to Mark Phelps, the guy voted by the class to be the student most likely to succeed in life spectacularly. Ha. Mark was now a town planner working for the council and had married dull rich kid Elsa Kirk, now blown up like a balloon again, expecting another child very soon. Kevin had slid up behind her and had no need to hitch up her skirt. She'd done that for him and had dropped her panties to her ankles. Kevin's thumb had touched her butt hole and she'd smothered a yell, "God no, not up there." He'd laughed and said just teasing and had pushed in a fat dick that was ever so long. Thinking back to that night, the most astonishing fuck of her life even now, Veronica grabbed John and held him closer and banged back at him. She was of course imagining she was fucking Kevin Baldwin. She came twice and kept going and finally John unexpectedly came with a roar. "Gawd, what was up with you tonight?" he panted, looking very red-faced and exhausted. What after only one fuck? she thought. "Nothing except your success at bowling excited me I suppose. You don't normally have too many highs in your life. Also you felt bigger in me tonight." John eyed her proudly. "Truly?" "Yeah without a word of a lie." Well he often lied to her. * * * Kevin handed over his ex demo car to Keith, the new director of sales and said, "You've been going well Keith. Set some sales records in categories this side of Christmas and I'll upgrade your car. Also train either Tony or Glenys as your deputy." "Which on would you prefer I work on?" "Your wife would probably feel more relaxed if you chose Tony but in my view you should choose the one worthy to be your lieutenant." "Ah I can see why we all think you're your mother's natural successor and would have been even had you not been family." "Work your people to sell vehicles Kevin, that's the real way to butter me up." They grinned and arranged to go for a beer that evening. "Don't bring Katie," Kevin said. "She'll only want to seduce me for promoting her darling." "When I phoned to tell her, she was ready to give you anything you requested buddy." "Well tell her I'm partial to a homemade fruit and nut cake." Back in his office Kevin was checking through recent deals when his phone went and the caller said, "Hi it's Veronica." He decided it was wind-up time. "Who?" "Just how many Veronica's do you know?" "Only one, the hot bitch Veronica Clay as she was then. But now that she's married she doesn't talk to me and drives a fucking Chevy." "Oh god, this is not going well," said Veronica, who considered herself rather skilled at handling males. "It's okay, talk to me." "I'm sorry I drive a Chevrolet. John got two for a great deal." "Come and see me when you decide to upgrade to a V6 Mustang convertible." "Yeah perhaps. Can you meet me for lunch today?" "Yeah." "I mean in a park out of earshot of people. I'll pack a picnic." Kevin attempted to work out what she might be after but drew a blank. "Okay what about on the river flat at the end of Walton Street. "Omigod where we all used to play as kids." "Yeah. I reckon 1:10 would suit me." "Me too. See you there." Although it was a cool day, Veronica was in a floral sundress and looked very pretty. She stood and he grinned and asked, "Do we kiss" and kissed her like a lover before she had time to reply. "God you can kiss," she said, dabbing her lips with a handkerchief. He said he didn't get much practice and she gave him a look that screamed LIAR! Veronica sat beside her picnic hamper and Kevin sat directly opposite her. She handed him a beer and poured herself a glass of wine from a half bottle and then drew up her legs. As expected Kevin received an eyeful of leg right up to her high-cut panties, just as she'd planned and while they exchanged pleasantries his eyes wandered a little. "Right the reason why I've asked you here today is monumental and directly affects the Baldwin family. At this stage what I tell you I demand you tell no one, not even your mother." "Okay." "Is that a promise?" "Of course it is. You'll tell me when the embargo is lifted." ""Right and thanks Kevin. Now when I divulge what I know you promise to take it calmly and no rant or hit me." "I'd never hit you, not when possessing legs like that." Veronica steadied herself and left her legs hoisted. "Leave my legs out of this. Do you promise not to lose your temper or to indicate in any way to tell anyone about what I will tell you?" "Yes, I promise. Let's have some food." "God you sound as if we've just had sex. Oh god, I didn't mean to say that," Veronica said and slapped her hand over her mouth. He grinned and she handed him a plate and a container of chicken and another of salad. The city council is planning to build and new City Hall and its No. 1 choice of site is all the land your family owns in High Street. Kevin tensed. She said steady and slowly she relaxed. "Good boy." He said grimly, "Did your father tell you this?" "For obvious reasons I don't wish to disclose my source of information." Kevin nodded. "And you are telling me this because you wish to join with me acting with our without your father's approval to oppose the council or should I say the mayor on this outrageous proposal?" Veronica nodded and placed a finger over her lips and Kevin nodded, making sure she had seen that gesture. "As I see it," Veronica said, "it is up to you and me to play strategy and lay the groundwork to oppose any such move. You must understand this offensive by the council is only a suggestion at this stage. It has to go through council to be initiated but the mayor will ensure she has the backing to get at least a reasonable majority in support. With that approval she will then send in a team to began negotiations with your mother to acquire the two blocks of land. At that stage we still do nothing, saving our powder so to speak." "Then if your family decides to sell, she announces grandly the plan for the new City Hall and that's end of story. But wait Kevin, there's more," Veronica said, lowering her legs because Kevin obviously was no longer interested in her thighs. "If the Baldwin family refuses to sell those sites that's when we jump in ahead of the mayor as she begins preparing to have the council to invoke the instrument of Eminent Domain to legally appropriate your family's private property. We jump in boots and all to catch the mayor and her cohorts by surprise, throwing them off balance and perhaps upsetting the support she had within council for the project." "I see and agree. The counter-attack has to come as a surprise and create disruption otherwise the council machine would simply flatten any opposition." "Exactly but if you can think of a better way let's hear it in the next day or two. There are various issues we can raise but our objective must be to get the council to back off or alternatively to mobilize huge support of citizens to oppose the council's predatory actions and grandiose concept to build a new City Hall instead of upgrading the existing one. Who needs a grander looking City Hall? "Exactly. Perhaps I'll arrange to have it blown up and then a replacement paid by insurance can be built on the existing site." "Kevin we must do nothing illegal because..." "Of course." "We must arrange to meet at nights and not be seen together until this is over." Baldwin Ford Kevin smiled and said where should they meet? "Well it should be on neutral territory, neither my home nor yours." "What about in our customer lounge in the service center? I can set the security alarms remotely and no one could sneak up and catch up having sex?" "Such attempted behavior would be unacceptable to me Kevin." "Go on, how many occasions have we had sex... three?" "I have no idea and besides that time of my foolishness occurred before I'd even met John." "So you do remember?" Veronica fearlessly allowed Kevin to see her very pink face. "If you must know I was terrified we'd be caught but you were unbelievably good." "The best you've ever had?" Veronica looked away and Kevin said if she was being fucked in fear it would be unlikely it was that memorable. "Well it was and now please let it rest. You're not getting into my pants ever again." "I wouldn't bet on that but it would be your call." "So I'll be safe meeting you alone at nights?" "Yes but as I just said, unless you decide otherwise." Veronica said thank you and added, "If you must know I decided two years ago when I returned here married that I would not renew my friendship with you because it could make John jealous." "Why because he might see the way you look at me?" Veronica turned very red and began placing their lunch things into the hamper. Kevin came up alongside her with his plate and empty beer bottle and sniffed. "Is that French perfume or the delectable odor from your pussy?" She giggled and said he was disgusting. CHAPTER 2 Mayor Moss, city manager and the senior attorney from its legal department met with a partner of a law firm and the firm's two attorneys who handled most of the council's legal requirements to discuss the proposed acquisition of what was now called the new City Hall site. It was agreed every effort should be taken to acquire the site amicably and if a stalemate occurred to negotiate agreement to have settlement reached through arbitration. The mayor was advised, as Bob Clay and her senior attorney had also told her. that appropriation under the power of Eminent Domain was a last resort measure and the justification for invocation might have to stand up to a judicial review and then even a high court appeal. "Dammit," bemoaned the mayor, "why can't the council just offer the occupiers an alternative site and they move out without compensation and that would end the matter?" "Because the legal system doesn't allow forced disposition under these circumstances without fair compensation," said Malvina Jackson, a partner in the law firm. "Well we represent law and order, effective administration and progress in this city," Mayor Moss complained and glared at her city manager when Bob said the fact was the Baldwin's forebears were resident of the community well before local government was established with the later incorporation of Rasper as a town. "Bob makes a moot point Sally," said Malvina. "My advice is to be patient and diplomatic at all times and you'll have your way on this, with or without compulsory acquisition, that is providing the council keeps the lid on this by dealing with any opposition quietly and peacefully. Should anyone in council engage in a public debate that balloons out of control, that could open a real can of worms." Mayor Ross said, "Bob we must plan carefully to keep the lid on this right through to the bitter end." He nodded. "And then we should engage a firm of professional consultants to handle the media releases, media interview, public complaints and brief our personnel and keep everything limited to a need to know basis." "That's your responsibility Bob and we have our own public information department. Use them to do what they're paid to do." "Very well but it's the second-best option when a smooth execution on this project is critical." "Shut up Bob and accept your responsibility." Bob later made a full diary note of that exchange, noting who was at that meeting. * * * Kevin and Veronica had four early evening meetings to plan strategy and detail action plans covering several scenarios. Kevin's behavior toward the married woman he now desired was impeccable because she remained on her best behavior although they flirted slightly verbally and unleashed the occasional innuendo, but really nothing more than good friends do. They kissed only as good friends. Although this frustrated Kevin he knew he was powerless and had been a fool stating if they were to rumble it was up to Veronica to make the first move. He berated himself for being such a fool and knowing he must honor that statement. Twice he'd whispered to Veronica when would she decide to fuck him, using that word, and she just smiled and said nothing, screwing his gut even tighter. One evening Bob arrived home and called his daughter. "Veronica are you guys ready?" "Yes daddy, very ready." "Well prepare to launch. Madam is to make the big announcement on Thursday." She waited until John had gone to the bathroom and called Kevin and told him launch day was Thursday. They agreed they were ready to mobilize real opposition. The next day after work three of Veronica's girl friends invited her to go to late afternoon bowling to play for an hour and she accepted. While there she looked at the men's championship ladder and saw the team John played in was near the bottom. She noticed John's name was not listed on that team card and asked the duty manager why was that. "Oh I haven't seen John here for perhaps two months. Gavin Garcia took his place in the team but he's no better player than John unfortunately." That rather startled Veronica. She had coffee after their group finished playing and then drove and waited outside the bank. It was Tuesday her husband's bowling evening and the routine was the guys would have a meal and some drinks and go off to the Lucky Strike Lounge in Raymond Valley. John drove out of the parking area behind the bank and beside him was his PA Sabetha Schmidt. Veronica had met her a few times and recognized her clearly, especially the mousy hair and the low-cut dress front used to expose the top swell of big breasts. Veronica parked outside the motel and stood at the entrance and watched her husband come out of the office with the key. He then drove to a unit. Veronica walked closer for a clear view and saw her husband and Veronica walk hand-in-hand to the door of a unit and embrace. They were still locked in the kiss when Veronica turned and left seething. She then had another thought and waited in her car for five minutes and then went to the door of the unit and knocked. John opened the door, holding a towel around his waist. She pushed him aside and stepped into the cheap room and saw Sabetha on the bed, nude with her legs spread wide and plucking her nipples. Veronica left without saying a word while in her wake John was bleating, "Darling I'm sorry. I can explain." She thought bullshit. John arrived home and found her in bed. "I can explain." "Don't lie to me, don't ever lie to me again," she spat. "Sleep tonight in your bed in your study and tomorrow move out. If you are still here when I return tomorrow evening at 7:00 I will call the husbands of some of my friends to evict you. You unwisely placed ownership of this house in my name in case your investments went belly-up and now I want you out of MY house." John moved out that night, taking away all his things from their bedroom first and that allowed Veronica to fall asleep, the three quick gins taking affect. She found few of his things remaining next morning and smiled, yes smiled, when in the garage she saw his beloved expensive Italian bicycle. She thought about placing it behind her car and backing over it but decided she must now keep the peace and make sure she got the best possible divorced settlement from the slimy asshole. On Thursday there was no public notice of the mayor's grandiose scheme. The mayor simply called Moira Baldwin and arranged to meet her at 11:00 and just before ending the call said, "This is very serious business Moira. You best have your attorney present." Moira called Kevin to her office and briefed him. "What the hell do you think this is about? I don't trust that woman." "Mom I have no idea," his son lied and his mom told him to attend the meeting. Kevin and Veronica had agreed the only way to protect her father was not to divulge to anyone they had prior knowledge. What followed was two months of acrimony between the council and the Baldwin family. Meanwhile John did the noble thing and filed for divorce, thereby taking some of that pressure off Veronica. Moira told the council no way would the Baldwin's vacate their land. The mayor then announced the total plan to the media and then pressure came on Kevin's older brother and sister and an aunt and two uncles, all holding stock in the privately owned company, to accept the offer. Moira nominally headed a citizen's fight against the council spending millions on a new City Hall when the existing building, only twenty-five years old, was roomy and capable of being extensively renovated. She produced for media interviews young architects, engineers and building contractors to underpin her assertions with their expert opinion. The fight appeared to be going the Baldwin's way when the mayor made the outrageous statement to the media that the city didn't want a vehicle dealership in the heart of Main Street and pointed out its competitors were all in back streets. Much to the dismay of the Baldwin's there was a groundswell of opinion in the mayor's favor on that issue. At a big meeting on that issue alone, Moira made an impassionate appeal for citizens to back a pioneering family that was one of the oldest businesses in the city. But clearly the mood was against her. Some jerk yelled, "You're not a Baldwin, you only married one," and that was greeted with huge applause as was another shout, "You will still be one of our oldest businesses when operating from a back street." Moira called a public meeting to oppose the council's empire-building plans to erect a new City Hall on land too large for its purposes and relocating the Police Department there, claiming that ousting it from it's 8-year old special purpose building was an outrageous wasted investment. That meeting was held at the city stadium, attracting a huge attendance estimated at 27,000 and the mood of that meeting on those issues clearly was with the Baldwin's and the mayor who spoke was several times shouted down. The leaders of two citizens groups castigated the mayor for such alarming extravagance and said she had no mandate to try to push such a project through. The mayor told the media next day she'd move at the next council meeting that the Baldwin's land be compulsorily acquired in the best interests of the city. Kevin's brother called a meeting of everyone one holding stock in the company and despite Moira and Kevin pleading for calm, that the whole issue was on a knife edge and they had a chance of legally forcing the council to defer making any decision on the new City Hall issue prior to the next council elections, the voting went against Moira and Kevin. They were instructed following a vote to negotiate for the highest possible offer for the land from the council. "Well there goes the Baldwin's commercial dynasty in this city," Moira said bitterly. "Yes," rejoiced Kevin's brother who'd called the meeting, "But we are now all on the verge of becoming millionaires." Kevin net Veronica outside the meeting venue and they hugged and she commiserating with him and as they parted she told him and she and John were divorcing over his adulterous relationship but Kevin was so devastated by his family's disloyalty that all he could managed was, "Oh that's very sad." "Come to our usual meeting place tonight and I'll lick your wounds and anything else you offer me," she whispered. He smiled tiredly. "Let's meet at 10:00; I'd like to get mom settled because this will be a huge shock to her." * * * Kevin called Veronica at 8:00 and said they could meet now if she were available. "Mom had some tears but after early dinner and taking a couple of calls from my late father's brothers, my uncles, she cheered considerably and said she was off to bed to think about her new life. She laughed and said she'd be damn sure if she re-entered business it would be without any Baldwin involvement but emphasized that statement excluded me." Veronica arrived just after Kevin and hugged him and they kissed sweetly. They went into the lounge where Kevin reset the security alarms and Veronica then said huskily, "I'd like you to undress me." "You're not divorced yet, it will be adultery." "I know but I also know in my heart I'm divorced." Kevin cupped her boobs and said expansively, "Sweet Jesus" and looked up into her eyes and they locked their smiling gazes. The jacket came off, following by the shirt and she unclipped the bra for him. Kevin undid the holding button above the zip of the skirt and then unzipped the skirt as if he'd done that thousands of times although a score of times would have been a more realistic estimate, even by Kevin. He sniffed loudly and pulled the panties down, leaving the thigh-highs in place and Veronica was screwing both hands into his shaggy hair while trying not to scalp him. Still bending Kevin sank to his knees and buried his mouth into the pussy. "Omigod," wheezed Veronica, and creamed his face. It had been too much for her. There was this encounter blending with her desires of the past. "Fuck me Kevin," she whimpered. "What without extended foreplay?" "Yes," she sighed, wiping his dripping chin with her hand. Kevin bent her over the sofa and unzipping rammed a ready and waiting erection straight into her seeping vagina. "Omigod," she screamed, feeling the fat, long dick pushing into her like an umbrella opening. "Oh no," Kevin cried distressfully, experiencing premature ejaculation for the first time in his sexually active life. They rested and went at it again. And again. They parted that evening declaring their love for each other. * * * Moira and Kevin met with their attorney and council negotiators to try to reach and out of court agreement. They finally settled with the council agreeing to pay the Baldwin company $32.6 million for the land and including compensation for the council forcing the company to relinquish its property. The council was required to pay the money in ninety when it would take ownership of the land that by then would have been vacated by the Baldwin's dealership. Moira had already agreed with the family to dissolve the company but Kevin argued successfully to have the rights to the company's trading name transferred to him because he'd already been in talks with Ford representatives who had no wish to end up without having a dealer in Rasper that served a richly resourced hinterland of cattle ranches and crop farms. It appeared the eight family members holding stock each stood to receive $4.075 million but of course there were loans and business debts to be covered and the stockholding was not evenly spread. The legal agreement signed by all beneficiaries had them accept collective liability to any unexpected claims by the IRS or other claimants on the company in the process of being dissolved. In the end Moira stood to walk away with $3.92 million and Kevin with $3.13 million. Mayor Moss next day claimed in the media a 'significant and historic windfall' for the City of Rasper in purchasing the Baldwin's land for an undisclosed sum (nondisclosure was agreed to in the final negotiations). She then said although the council had obtained ownership of the land in ninety days and would be responsible for clearing it of buildings and any pollutants, the cleared land would be leveled and sown in grass and made available as a mid-city park until after the next council elections, that being part of the agreement. Mayor Moss said when she contested the next election she would be seeking a mandate from electors to progress with the building of a new City Hall that the city would be truly proud of. Citizens were left with the impression that the Mayor had won, the Baldwin's had lost, and a new City Hall would be built whether they liked it or not. Mayor Moss had engaged professional consultants to ensure citizens were left with that feeling that everything was cut and dried for her to have her way, as she put it, for the good of citizens and their city. That evening when nude Veronica climbed on to her hands and knees on to the sofa in the customer lounge, soon to be demolished, and Kevin dipped two fingers into her pussy to wet his dick before inserting, she said, "This is the first time I've had sex with a millionaire. What now my lucky boy?" "You are welcome to be my steady girlfriend if that's what you want." "Oooh," said Veronica, guiding in the erection. "I'm hoping you won't leave town." "No this city is my hometown. Just between you and me I'm taking mom to lunch tomorrow to talk about we two going into business." "The vehicle business?" "Clever girl and I'm determined to find a place in it for you." "Omigod," said the excited Veronica, and gushed over the probing dick. Kevin contained his excitement, caught a swinging tit and banged Veronica who kept with him all the way, ramming her ass back on to him, until he yelled and flooded the far end of her vagina. * * * "This place is where we come for special occasions," Moira said to her son as they approached the restaurant. "We have yet to receive our money." "This a meeting to talk about spending money." "Oh is that so?" Moira said, looking at Kevin closely. "Ford have given me seven days from yesterday to come up with a proposal." "You are thinking about opening a Baldwin dealership in a new location?" "I've already made that decision mother. But I need your experience and I really need your money. I'm suggesting we set up a partnership, 50-50." "I would prefer 60-40 and we put up a total of $5 million contributed on a 60-40 basis." "Now why would I refuse that kind of suggestion mother? Deal." "Deal. I'll get the paperwork underway when I return to the office and get Marlene to draw up partnership papers." "Great. One other thing. I have spent several hours scouting around with Antonio De Luca of De Luca Realty. We have come up with a site, the recently abandoned cattle sale yards on Ambrose Street. It has the right zoning for us and is just one street back from the northern entrance to Rasper which in fact is the city's busiest access route." "Yes the know the site and it has not attracted much attention." "Antonio suggests we appoint him to buy the property on our behalf because if the sellers know it's us looking for land they could hike up the price. The site is not listed by his parents' realty company so he is not required to disclose his buyer." "That makes sense to me but check it out with Marlene to ensure the procedure is water tight." "Yeah well that leaves just one more thing." Moira sighed and said cash for the deposit. "Yeah." "How much?" "One hundred grand. Our new partnership will pay all the costs involved." Moira said she'd arrange that amount by way of a bank loan within the next couple of hours. "So you expect to pay a million for the land?" "Yeah and not a cent more. The asking price is $1.5m but Antonio said being fringe CDB it's not worth that much and the talk is the owners have had a few people looking but have not received any offers. I know the site and it will cost only peanuts to clear it." "I agree," Moira said. "I often drive past it and remember going to cattle sales there with your grandfather. It's the wrong part of the central business district for most retailers but we deal with people who have wheels and we can ferry clients into the city and collect them again later. Not a problem. The other thing is they'll know we will have plenty of parking space when they come to do business with us." Baldwin Ford Kevin said that was right. "Once the deal is done we should tell Alec about this because he'll be looking to relocate his auto crash repair and paint business following the council forcing us to sell that land." "Alec called me early this morning and expressed his disgust at the council's high-handed action and said, and I quote, 'that fucking out of control mayor has to go'. He asked what we were doing and said we were in limbo and I'd keep him posted. He said he would be keen to remain aligned with us if we decided to remain in business and the lease terms were good if we could provide the land for his business." * * * Kevin and Veronica continued to meet most nights at the customer lounge. She said it was a good meeting place to keep in touch because she didn't wish to be seen with another man until she and John had signed a divorce settlement agreement and that would occur soon. Kevin of course said she just lured him to the lounge so she could fuck him and Veronica covered her embarrassment by saying, "Yeah and why shouldn't I?" The owners of the land containing the former livestock sale yards and holding pastures, reluctantly accepted $1 million for the property, the first offer received and no others were in sight. They made several attempts of guessing who was behind the Archie Partnership (Archie being the founder of the Baldwin dynasty in Rasper) but Antonio said they'd find out eventually. One of the co-owners of the land, Ivan Peabody had even suggested it could be Moira Baldwin. The two owners sighed when at the signing when the deposit was handed over to their attorney, they saw the signature on the check was M. J. Baldwin. Surprisingly news of the sale didn't leak, helped by the agreement of the realty company delay publicizing the sale for a few days. The next day contractors began clearing the stock yards pens and dilapidated buildings and all personnel arrived at work half an hour early that morning and Moira announced that the business would continue operating under the new proprietorship of Moira and Kevin Baldwin, occupying temporary premises in J. J. Hooker's former warehouse until the new dealership premises on the site of the former sale yards were completed, hopefully within nine months. Engineers and architects were already working on drawings and an application for building consent would be lodged with the council as soon as the plans and specifications were completed. Moira invited everyone to reapply for their current jobs with the new company, Baldwin Ford and at the same time to express interest in other positions within the company. Kevin went to the offices of the Rasper Daily News with a copy of Moira's statement about the company's relocation to temporary premises and then shifting within 12 months to its new dealership premises on the site of the former sale yards in Ambrose Street. The package included an artist's impression of the new relocation premises for Baldwin Ford and photos of Moira, president and director of administration and Kevin as vice-president and director of operations, they being the sole proprietors of the reconstructed Ford dealership in Rasper. A senior reporter interviewed Kevin who said the Baldwin family had been gutted and then split by the city council's decision to acquire the site of the family's Ford dealership and the adjoining site it owned. "But my mother and I have regrouped and are going it alone to provide this city with its most modern and stylish vehicle dealership. That enterprise will be in operation before this time next year and I think the reason will be clear that Rasper's mayor will not be invited to open our new premises." Next morning when Moira read the front page story under the banner headline, 'Baldwin Mother and Son Rise from the Ashes' she congratulated Kevin when she saw the large article and big image of the sketch but seconds later she reached over the breakfast table and clipped his ear yelling, "This quote of yours about not inviting the mayor to open our new premises is appalling. You know it's my wish to let sleeping dogs lie." "Well now you know I differ. Want to fire me?" "No," she sighed. "Mother..." Moira shot a look at her son, knowing he only called her mother when he'd done something wrong or had something very serious to say. "I'm going after that bitch to make sure she loses the next mayoral election. I want you to stand against her." "Me?" "I believe you are the only person I call mom or mother." "Don't be stupid. I'm telling you this, get someone else. No way will I enter local government." "Then whom do we go for? It would have to be someone we can popularize and who has good standing if we are to unseat that bitch." "Interest your fancy lady that I have learned you were in cahoots with to organize the counter-attack the mayor's plan to take our land." "How do you know that I had a lieutenant?" "Never you mind. Just persuade her father to stand against the mayor. Bob Clay is a hugely respected person in this city. I'll contribute generously to his campaign and will gather funds and influential support for him." "Are you aware that Veronica and her husband are divorcing and that Veronica and I am now secret lovers?" "Yes." "Ah her mom Dolly. You went through school with her." "Oh my aren't you a clever boy. You should be in business. I suggest the vehicle business." Kevin leaned over and lightly cuffed the hair over his mom's ear and said, "Cheeky bitch." She just loved it and said, with a sniff, she wished his dad were alive today to see what a fine young man he'd helped produce and raise. "Yeah he liked being proud of me. Damn cancer. Mom you really ought to remarry. You'll be only fifty-two in two months and that gives you a lot of time ahead of you. If you marry I can move out." "Well I am beginning to think more and more about finding another good man. Speaking about moving out this is still your home too and I have no objection to you bringing Veronica here and she being in your bedroom with you." Kevin laughed and said she didn't show him that support when he was at high school and chicks came home with him. But he thanked her. "She may appear here quite soon. At present we are not being seen together in public until her divorce settlement agreement is finalized. She wants no animosity with John to try to secure the best possible deal done in the friendliest possible manner. She thinks he'll be feeling guilty and will give her a bit of leeway with some of their joint possessions she really wants. I haven't said anything to Veronica but that sneaky jerk could have assets she knows nothing about." "Well continue to be careful about that Kevin. It really is none of your business." Kevin and Moira spent the next few days attending to legalities over the reconstruction of their Ford dealership arrangement to ensure a seamless transition and Kevin was kept busy supervising the contractors doing temporary conversion of the temporary premises. Both he and his mother had meetings about their new development at the former sale yards. They also dealt with concerns of some employees who were unsure about working in the new location at the other end of the city where there were no shops or restaurants. Some of those concerns were met with the assurance that the new facility would include a café. Moira instructed the architects to include that in their design. Thursday of that week was a day of several significant events. First the morning newspaper reported three realtors as confirming there'd been a rush on commercial and light industrial zoned sites in the northern end of the city since Baldwin Ford had announced it had purchased land to relocate there and landowners had hiked up their prices by up to 30% over night. Then the engineer who'd surveyed the old sale yards site and conducted test bores called Kevin and said everything was looking good. He'd been talking to the senior architect for the project and they agreed there was sufficient land to lease to one or two businesses, that the land should not be sold as Baldwin Ford could require it for future expansion. Kevin agreed that the development plans should be designed on that basis and he called the architect to issue that instruction and to work with the engineer because a side boundary access to those rear sites would be necessary. Kevin called Alec, owner of the crash repair paint business and arranged to take him on a site inspection and then called and old buddy Morgan Fields who operated a welding and custom-building vehicle trailer operation to see if he were interested in relocating on a ground rental deal. Morgan said yeah he better take a look. He knew Alec and agreed to go there next afternoon and after the inspection they should go somewhere for Friday drinks. At noon Kevin heard on radio news that Easy Buy Holdings would proceed immediately on building a cut-price supermarket on a site just beyond the old sale yards in Ambrose Street it purchased five years ago. CEO of Easy Buy Holdings, Rebecca Goldsmith, said the company already had building consent to erect a 45,000 sq ft supermarket on the site and there was more than enough land available to meet council requirements for vehicle parking. Kevin shot across to his mom's office with that news and she turned red in excitement as she shouted, "Yippee, we've got it made and thanks to you we paid bottom dollar for our land whereas values there will now go through the roof. Oh thank you Mayor Moss, you bitch." Veronica called Kevin when he was in a café having lunch alone and reading that morning's newspaper. "Hi baby. Having a great day?" "Not too bad. For the past three hours we have been grinding away against John's legal team. It's going okay I suppose. We have agreed to try to get the deal done by 3:00 today. I just want to know will I see you tonight?" "Yeah of course. We can fuck any old time. Let's go to a restaurant and get slowly drunk instead and you can unload your woes and then tell me what I mean to you." "What you mean to me?" "That's what I said although it's only a suggestion." "God what do I say?" "Have a nap and then come to Melrose's at 9:00. I'll book and with a sleep you will be in a more creative mind after doing the hard yards against your departing husband." "Yeah right. I'll see you tonight." Meanwhile without reference to Kevin, Moira called Dolly Clay and arranged to meet her for drinks that evening after work at the Oasis Cocktail Lounge. "Oh Dolly call Bob and invite him to join us. It's been quite some time since I'm seen him." "Oh good idea. He was worried you might have thought he'd taken sides with that bitch Sally Moss over pushing you guys off your land." "The thought never entered my head and you know you were keeping me posted." "Yes quite. Oh Bob's brother Martin is staying with us, getting over his divorce. Should I invite him or are you still grieving?" "No that will be fine. We could go to dinner afterwards. I may as well use my soon-to-become-invalid trading company's credit card. Dinner will be on me." Shortly after 3:30 Veronica called Kevin. "It's all finished apart from the signing when the documents are ready. I'm emotionally exhausted but would love you to come to my home and fuck me." "Veronica it is only mid-afternoon, I have to work, we would be seen..." "Stop it Kevin, think. If you were married and having an affair you would not worry about what time of day or night it was, whether you had work to do and you'd make damn sure we wouldn't be seen by the wrong people? Do I mean so little to you that you simply don't care? Do you think all you have to do is to snap your fingers and say fuck, and I'll roll over and turned my pussy up for you?" "Veronica, stop it. Of course I don't think like that and you ought to know that. I treasure you and the relationship we have is so dear to me. We are you now?" "On my way home to that house that will be sold. So I don't have to care what the neighbors think anymore." "Right I'm on my way. Spread your cunt lips and wait for me." "Oooh. Kevin grimaced thinking he was revolting talking to Veronica so crudely. Good heavens he was thirty and she twenty-nine, not snotty-nosed teens. She appeared to like it but he sighed and thought why wouldn't she after being treated for a long time in an uncaring manner by her husband. So telling her to spread her cunt lips was saying to Veronica that he cared? He resolved to tease her and be smart-lipped with her with dignity in future. Now that should show her he cared. And why had he not accepted her invitation to call her Vonnie? Sighing, Kevin thought he was being such a fool. He regarded Vonnie as a childish name whereas she regarded it as her intimate name, possibly an endearing name. "Grow up Kevie and act sensitively." He called her. "Hi Vonnie?" "Oooh." "I invite you to call me Kevie when we're alone but if it slips out at other times no problem." "Oooh." "I'm heading out to the car no, um, darling." "Oh Kevie. You called me darling without tripping over it." "Yeah well I'm your name baby. Bye." He snapped his phone shut and smiled and looked up to see his mother smiling at him. Jesus can't a guy get any privacy? * * * Bob Clay's mouth fell over in shock at the bar when Moira Baldwin said she was prepared to from a team and provide funding to assist Bob to run against that bitch Sally Moss in the mayoral election. "Oh Bob say yes, quickly," said Dolly. "That will save you hours of torment as you look at the pros and cons of such an offer. With her razor sharp mind Moira has already done that hard work for you." "That's true Bob. The role is tailor-made for you and in the twilight of your career what better way to rise to the pinnacle of community leadership, boot out a grasping mayor and to be in power to consign her stupid new City Hall proposal to the trash can." "But why me?" "Because this is the result of Kevin and me looking for the right person to knock over that bitch." "But that's revenge clouding your decision-making." "That's nonsense Bob and you know it. Sure our pride was hurt, the mayor split our family but both setbacks were heal and Baldwin Ford is in the process of rising from the ashes, bigger, brighter and better than ever. But for the good of this city that bitch must go and her grandiose empire building must vaporize with her departure. Dolly?" "Bob just say yes. You know you have told me a thousand times you could do a better job as mayor than that bitch." Bob looked at the two women who were ganging up on him, exhibiting the worst in cronyism. He shook his head in wonder and said yes, he'd seek nomination. Moira and Dolly screamed triumphantly, halting conversations. "Bar tenders, a round of drinks for everyone in the bar," shouted Moira. "Yes Mrs Baldwin," the head barwoman acknowledged. A tall gray-headed guy with a trustworthy smile came over to them and said, "Hi Moira." Moira had no idea who he was but Dolly said, "Moira this is Bob's brother Martin. He could be a useful date for you. You did invite Martin to join us for dinner." "Oh yes, Martin, please sit here beside me. You don't look as grumpy as your brother." Everyone laughed. Later they were in the Pillars of Wisdom, a restaurant specializing in dishes from seven Middle East countries when Dolly, looking at the entrance, said, "Oh here's Veronica. God doesn't she look so happy and Kevin is with her. She and John signed their divorce settlement agreement this afternoon." Veronica saw her mother wave and went rushing over, dragging Kevin with her. "Mom Kevin and I have become engaged," she said, cheeks highly flushed, and holding out the newly placed ring on her finger for both mothers to inspect. Martin signaled to the hovering waiter. "Please add a table for two to this table and serve champagne, two bottles of Moet Imperial Brut would be fine." "Yes sir." "Oooh champagne, my favorite," Moira said, placing her hand on Martin's arm. THE END