“Good. McDaniel’s team appears solid in terms of experience but he probably overpays them to compensate for his lack of clout. Too much is murky. His Kearney, New Jersey, connection has diversion infractions I’ve known about since my Olympia days. If he has claims proofs, they’re likely false. That’s dicey enough to warrant our decline. All four of his lead directors hail from Welch and Griggs. This implies talent to develop the goods, but the outfit’s known for major turnover unless employees fit into their cult-like environment.”
“Quite the knowledge.”
“It’s part and parcel to my work. If you’re looking to expand your fragrance dealings, you need to understand how dysfunctional this industry is. The United States is the most difficult market to generate profitability. In Windmill’s case, I strongly suspect the owners want to recoup lost money, gone forever unless they find a sucker to buy the damaged brands.”
“And their P&L?”
“At first glance, looked okay, but sales figures could be inflated. The distribution doesn’t reflect what’s in this file. It’s bullshit. Mostly, Julian, I don’t trust them.”
“Bloody hell, you’re direct.”
My martini had done its job. “We have to be. My team doesn’t need this distraction during our UK-C project; you don’t need Windmill in your merger plans. Founder or not, Gregory McDaniel’s a strutting peacock, green as his money. If you take on Windmill you shouldn’t involve him in operations, which he’ll take it as a slap in the face or a power play. Either creates a toxic work environment just when you need cooperation.”
“Bottom line?”
“One positive note: in six months when our confidentiality agreement expires, I can poach his staff, specifically the two smart marketing guys. Bottom line, our UK-Connection tie-in puts Mayfair in the black, but Windmill could drain those finances. Iffy ROI. Return on Investment requires your millions with a chance you’ll lose it all.”
“Excellent instincts. You’ve impressed me once again.” He emptied his glass. “Full confession—”
“I know that line. I have to fly your watch back.”
He laughed. “No indeed. I head to Zurich in the morning with it on my wrist. No, I confess to bigger requests coming. No secret I’m keen on merging my operations. I’m head strong and brash too often. Emma, I’ll need you at the top. It’s you who has the strongest chance to insure our combined fragrance interests generate profitability and keep us in the black.” He cupped my fingers.
“Julian—” The gesture segued into a gin-laced glance and lingering handshake. “I appreciate your confidence in me.”
“I’m sure you know the industry’s taken notice.”
Notice of what? I could feel the flush heating my collarbone as the butler, or whoever he was, reappeared. “Your conference call, sir. Dallas on the line.”
Julian thanked him and turned back to me. “I fear this may take a while. Please stay.”
Oh God. “I can’t. Macy’s special events coordinator is pressuring me to commit the band to their Thanksgiving Day Parade. I need to compose a rejection before my appointment with Thomas. Early flight. I have to head back to my hotel.” All of it shredded whatever hovered between us. “You’ll call Hollenbeck in the morning?”
“Indeed. We’ll pass.”
“You won’t regret it. Best of luck with the Bulls.” He crossed his fingers and took the call.
As planned, Dustin arranged for me to meet Thomas at his loft in the Flatiron district to review his UK-C proofs for our national ad campaign. As not planned, the night before, within hours of my return from LA, Ethan called. He’d arranged to rent from Nicole on a month-to-month basis. “So I’ll be over here through April. This is what we need, Emma.”
“Whatever you have to do.” My acerbic reply still made me wince the next morning as I tried to focus on Thomas’s project. “I appreciate your coming down here,” he said. “Between the two of us and our days with the band, we can cut out plenty before we let the boys have their final say. I admit I hope this saves massive amounts of time. I’m also on the hunt for my Charade launch shots of Marsha Johnson schmoozing with the show stoppers. Fragrance International’s looking for archival photos for a retro piece on her. There’s buzz she’s retiring.”
“Really. I give her credit for holding on at Platinum all this time, but don’t count on me at any farewell festivities.”
“She’s had a good run.”
“Right over me.”
“Long time ago.”
“Whatever.”
Thomas shot me a look. “You okay? We’ve been checking proofs together since my ponytail days. You’re not yourself. Distractions? Jet lag?”
Crap. “Maybe both. Tough couple of weeks. For two years I’ve worked my ass off for Mayfair. It’s exhausting.”
“In my experience Julian Petrenko’s straight up and less erratic than Marsha Johnson ever was, at least with me. I’d also guess his luxury level living on the road makes his beck and call behaviour bearable, no?”
“Amazing perks for sure. Right down to a first edition Jane Austen Ethan says is worth thirty thousand dollars.”
Thomas whistled. “Been showing your gratitude?”
“An affair? I’m smarter than that. I’ve masterminded our UK-C deal to guarantee solvency and reputation, Mayfair’s and mine. I’m making him money with plenty for Ethan and me.”
“Emma, I didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”
“I’m too busy to cheat. Forget it if that’s what you’re hearing.” I met his glance. “Is that what you’re hearing?”
“You know the drill. Clients, stylists, even party guests forget or don’t care I’m at their elbows. On shoots I’m either invisible like the caterer, or treated like their confidant hairdressers. All kinds of crap gets blabbed to me.”
“Then you know of Carmine’s insane rumours I slept with Axel White to land the UK-Connection account.”
“I do.”
“Thomas, whoever’s blabbing about Julian and me is totally off base. This rat race takes a toll on any marriage. The more success in my professional life, the more turmoil at home. Ethan’s a separate issue.”
“You don’t need to defend yourself, even if you are screwing Petrenko.”
“Sure there’s appeal but I’m not! You know I have an unconventional marriage but too much of what I thought this job would solve has made it worse. We’ve separated but you and I have a blistering schedule and I won’t let it affect my work.”
