Max Ratek, the notorious Michelangelo of Wall Street takeover artists, quietly plots a takeover battle for a Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio headquartered tire company. Ratek's plan goes awry when the tire company's investor relations professional, who is battling the ravages of MS, prematurely discovers Ratek's scheme and launches a preemptive first strike against this titanic robber baron. Meanwhile, Put-in-Bay resident and Washington Post investigative reporter, Emerson Moore, discovers Ratek's sinister plan. Emerson is drawn into the abyss of corporate intrigue as he chases the story in the midst of sailing adventures, an executive's mysterious death, an explosion at Perry's Monument, a ruthless CEO and a dangerous blonde ice queen who works for Ratek. Pierce the Veil and its extraordinary cast of characters takes readers behind the chilling scenes of corporate life to an unexpected, thrilling climax. Birkman Investments Alex Birkman slowly ran his 74-year-old hand through his thinning hair as he looked out his Broad Street office window. It was late on rainy November night. He cleared his desk just as he had at the end of every day since founding his successful investment company 40 years ago. Being organized and able to find a file at a moment's notice when a client called was important to him. Birkman liked routine. That way you didn't have to think twice about the trivial matters. He walked across his office to his coat tree and placed the black fedora on his head. Slipping into his overcoat, he grabbed his umbrella and closed his office door behind him as he stepped out. He paused to look at his staff who were completing the paperwork from the day's stock trading activities and for the required reporting. Birkman was a stickler for following the rules and reporting on schedule to the SEC and his clients - not that he ever worried about an investigation from the Securites and Exchange Commission. He ran a clean investment house. Max Ratek glanced at Birkman as Birkman passed his desk. Ratek smiled. "Have a nice vening, Alex. It looks like a wer and dreary one out there tonight." Ratek pushed back from his desk and allowed his 6 foot 5 frame to stretch to its full length. Ratek's height combined with his ability to radiate energy immediately differentiated him from other people. What a change in disposition from earlier in the day, Birkman thought to himself. Ratek must have recovered from Birkman's harsh and very direct lecture. Birkman had sternly delivered his lecture because of an illegal approach Ratek had proposed regarding an insider-trading scheme - although the firm could have benefited lucratively if Birkman had permitted it. Ratek and his close associate, Simon Grimes, had stormed out of Birkman's office following Birkman's lecture regarding ethics. Since the morning's meeting, Ratek had not spoken to Birkman unless it was necessary. "Yes, yes. It does appear to be a bit gloomy," Birkman relied.
|
