The Eden Effect (9 page)

But Robert Mackie was in Melbourne, still running a multi-million dollar legal firm. Arthur doubted that Robert had even heard of Eden, let alone would he be prepared to move there for the twelve months that the undertaking required. But money did talk. Robert Mackie was initially surprised to hear from Arthur. He assumed when he received Arthur's message to call him back that Arthur was after financial help. His initial surprise turned to disbelief when instead of asking for help, Arthur was actually offering him for a job. A job in some godforsaken Victorian country town, no less. Once he realised that Arthur was actually serious, his mind scrambled for a response that would not belittle or ridicule Arthur for whom he had a great deal of respect. But before he could frame his response, Arthur landed what was a knockout blow. One million dollars per week after tax and guaranteed for twelve months, even if he was not needed for the full twelve months. Fifty two million after tax dollars! That talk was loud enough, even for Robert Mackie.

‘I'll do it, Arthur. I don't know what you are getting me into exactly, but I'll do it. I just hope that it's legal.'

Arthur, on the other end of the phone replied, ‘thanks Robert. I really appreciate it. I promise you won't regret this. And Robert, you will need a team on this. I think three or four should do it. Pick your own people. Anyone you want. Tell them one million each after tax that should buy you some quality.'

As it turned out, Robert decided only to bring two. One of the junior, but up and coming lawyers in the firm, Adam Chapel and Robert's P.A, without whom Robert knew, he could not function. He arranged leave for the three of them from the firm. No one objected. Who would? Robert was the boss.

The next issue for Arthur was suitable accommodation. He knew that Robert lived in five bedroom mansion in Toorak, complete with a swimming pool, tennis court and a five car garage. Such properties were in short supply in Eden. However, the local real estate agent, there was only one, solved the problem. He had on his books a four bedroom Victorian, a little run down, but nothing that minor decorating and repair could not solve. It was centrally located and quite spectacular internally. Behind the grime and peeling paint, there were all the magnificent original Victorian features. Arthur took out a twelve month lease, paying twenty percent more than the asking price. Jack Small, the agent, put Arthur onto a handyman who fortunately was available. The $100,000 that Arthur offered him for what would turn out to be two weeks work assured his availability. Eden had no appliance store or furniture store, so Arthur, by way of the Internet ordered a house full of modern furniture and appliances, all top of the range. He ordered desks, chairs and computers for what would be the office. He offered a hefty premium and all the items had arrived and were installed in ten days, the day after Ron the handyman, had completed his task of restoring the interior of the house.

A week later the three of them had arrived. Robert, Adam the junior and Robert's P.A, Megan, who was the most stunning redhead Arthur had ever seen. They drove up in three cars, one in each. Robert in a Series 7 BMW, Adam in a Lexus RX 350, and Megan in a red Lexus 250 convertible. She must be on a good wage, thought Arthur, when he saw the car. Arthur showed them through the house and was relieved that they were pleased with it, especially Robert. Arthur let them to settle in and arranged to return later in the afternoon for a briefing followed by dinner.

Arthur returned to the dairy to bring Martin up to date and confirm the arrangement for later that afternoon. Martin would be accompanying Arthur, albeit reluctantly. He had left this phase of the project entirely to Arthur. Martin was not comfortable with high finance, but he knew he had to make an appearance. After all, it was his project and his money. For all they had spent so far, it's hardly made a dent in the total sum, which was earning interest at Citibank at a faster rate than they could spend it.

With all that was going on, Martin and Arthur continued their morning deliveries. Any appointments related to the project were scheduled in afternoon, although Arthur had to take the occasional morning off as he had done that day and Martin had to manage on his own. The good folk of Eden continued to receive their milk and assorted dairy products just as they had always done.

At 4pm they went back to the house. Arthur did the introductions and could not fail to notice Martin's eyes widening a little when he saw Megan. The five of them sat down at the boardroom table, which had been set up in a sitting room of the house, now the office. Martin felt that he had to say something.

‘I really appreciate you coming here to help out. I know it could not have been easy leaving your home and families. I don't know how much Arthur has told you. I've come into a large inheritance. More money than I need or could spend in several lifetimes. I want to do something with the money that will actually matter. You may know that I'm the town's milkman. I don't have the education or the expertise to run a project like this. This is where Arthur comes in. I've given him a free hand. Arthur and the three of you will run things. Arthur knows exactly what I want to achieve and with your help, I hope it can be done.'

No one spoke for a minute or two. Martin was sure that Robert and the two others were dying to ask just how large the inheritance was, but were too polite to do so.

It was Arthur's turn to speak. ‘The project has two phases. The first is acquisition phase. Martin and I have prepared a list of the assets to be purchased. This is where you come in, Robert. It will not be a simple task. As far as we know, none of the assets are actually for sale. This is where your negotiating skills will come into play. And be aware, that we are prepared to pay whatever it takes. I know it's a cliché, but in this matter, money is literally no object.'

Arthur stood across the table, three folders, one for each them.

‘It's all in there. Every property, the names and contact details of the owners, and an approximate value of each. The valuations I'm not at all confident about. They are my approximations based on incomplete data, but it is the best we have got.'

Arthur saw Robert leafing through the folder without comment. The other two had left their folders closed in front of them.

‘What is our time frame, Arthur?' Robert asked.

‘The contract is for twelve months. How long for this phase?'

‘Six months should do it. Could be even less,' Arthur replied.

‘We will need to set up an entity to do the buying. I assume you don't want this in your name, Martin?' Robert said.

‘No Robert. Definitely not. So far no one knows about any of this. Well, you three now do, but no one else in the town,' Martin quickly replied.

‘I suggest we set up a foundation, Arthur. There could be tax advantages down the line. The Eden Foundation, how does that sound?'

‘Sounds good to me,' Arthur said and Martin just nodded.

Megan began writing on the legal pad in front of her. Adam was typing on his iPad. No doubt they would be the ones doing the setting up.

‘We should have the foundation up and running in a week,' said Robert. ‘This would give us some time to look into the various acquisition targets and we'll then be ready to attack.'

‘Sounds good, Robert,' Arthur said. ‘Let's meet again when you are ready.'

‘It's 5.30pm. I've booked dinner for 7pm. We'll pick you up. It's walking distance. It's not Attica or Vue de Monde, Robert, but it is the best Eden has to offer. We will be back at ten to seven.'

The five of them stood up, handshakes all round and Arthur and Martin left.

‘I thought that went well, Martin,' Arthur said once they were outside. ‘Just wait until you see Robert in action. He is brilliant. You'll see, we'll get this thing done.'

Dinner was at the Red Lion. Where else? The hotel had a small private function room that Martin had booked in advance. He spoke to the chef Marcel, who Martin knew well and informed him that he had important visitors coming and would he put on something special. Marcel assured him he would. Many years before, Marcel had worked in a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris. What he was doing in the Red Lion in Eden was anyone's guess. To seal the deal, Martin slipped Marcel two crisp $100 bills, which Marcel pocketed.

Marcel was true to his word. The meal he put on was actually quite magnificent. Everyone at the table was most impressed. Martin ordered the best and oldest red wine that the hotel had in its cellar. Martin bought the only bottle of Grange that they had. That alone set him back $1000.

It was a convivial evening. There was no work talk. Martin had already found out a little about Robert from Arthur. Adam, it turned out was thirty three, married with twin boys aged three. He had finished at the top of his class at Melbourne University Law School, a fact that did not come from Adam, but rather from Robert, who made the announcement proudly. Megan, the P.A was not married, she informed them. She had a partner. No children. Her age was not mentioned. She looked to Arthur to be in her late twenties. The partner, as it turned out, was a woman, which led to both Arthur and Martin feeling disappointed. What a waste, they would both have said, but of course didn't. Megan had been with the firm for four years, seemed to have a sharp mind and a very easy going manner. She laughed easily and seemed quite relaxed in the men's company.

‘No work tonight,' said Robert. ‘However, just a logistics issue. We will stay here Monday to Friday, but we intend to go back to Melbourne Friday afternoon and drive up Monday morning. I hope that's okay with you.'

Arthur was first to reply. ‘Of course, Robert. We don't expect you to work seven days a week, and I can't say Eden has enough to offer to justify staying for the weekend for social reasons.'

That matter out of the way, they continued the meal, drank the excellent wine, at least Robert and Adam did. Megan was still on her first glass, which was nearly full. Obviously not a drinker, Martin thought. He was thoroughly enjoying the reds, well above the level he was used to. Arthur too was drinking. He was mindful that he had to stay sober, but it was hard. The reds were really that good.

It was 10pm, Martin settled the bill in cash and left a generous a tip. The five of them headed back to the Victorian house where they parted company. Martin, Arthur headed home on foot, not quite as steadily as they would have liked.

The next three months were filled with intense activity. While Martin and Arthur continued their daily delivery run, Robert and the others were hard at work. They made a formidable team and the efforts paid off almost immediately.

Robert intended to tackle the biggest first. He expected Eden Valley would be the hardest nut to crack and would take the most time. He was a little apprehensive about succeeding at all. Like just about everyone else in Australia, he knew of Eden Valley. It was a giant it its field. After only a brief amount of delving, Adam had discovered that the Donati brothers had had Eden Valley on the market for the last two years, quietly. There had been a few interested parties, but no one had come up with the $400 million price tag. This was for the business only. The Donati's wished to keep the property itself. Robert offered one billion for the lot on the condition that the Donati's stayed on for six months to run the business and transition to a new management. Once again, money talked and forty five days later the deal was finished and Eden Valley, the business, the property, the lot, was owned by the Eden Foundation, an entity no one had previously heard of and whose ownership was a tightly held secret.

The next target was the media. Old Sam Jennings had owned the local TV station, the radio station and the local newspaper, The Eden Star, for as long as anyone in Eden could remember. Somehow, the media ownership laws preventing anyone owning TV, radio and newspapers in the one market had bypassed Eden. Old Sam Jennings, he had been called Old Sam for as long as anyone could remember, had never married, had no family and was all too happy to sell. He kept his books in such a mess that Robert and Adam found it impossible to even hazard a guess at what the three businesses were worth. Sam Jennings had a monopoly on the media in Eden, so they reasoned he must have been making good money. Robert offered $750,000, expecting Sam to ask for twice as much. But Sam accepted immediately. Robert realised he was over paying. He was not concerned. It wasn't his money, and anyway, there seemed to be a limitless supply.