“Because Bongero is going to ask, and he’s going to want a timeline. So be prepared. That’s all.”
Empty-handed, Nick followed Jerry, who was loaded down with files, into the boardroom. He felt like he was late for class and forgot to do his homework. “Maybe Bongero would go for the old ‘my dog ate it’ bit.”
“Doubtful.”
The room was already littered with associates who silently waited for the meeting to begin. Nick could tell the two of them were holding up the show.
“Well, Mr. Harris and Mr. Lamont, so nice you could join us,” Bongero said sarcastically, “And only ten minutes late.”
“Sorry, sir, I was discussing UPS with Jerry.” “Great, then what have you got?”
“Nothing worth presenting right now, but we should have something within a few days,” Nick said. Maybe the boss-man would go for today’s lie.
“We don’t make money by waiting a few days, Mr. Harris. Now, I don’t suppose this delay has anything to do with St. Theresa’s, does it?”
“No, sir. Also trying to keep the John Deere people happy and
keep that on track,” Nick answered in a spiteful tone.
“I thought that was your account, sir,” Jerry piped in. Nick loved how well their one-two-punch team operated.
“Harris is helping me on that one,” Bongero responded. The fact that John Deere, a most precious account, was on the ropes because the powers-that-be at the one-hundred-fifty-year-old tractor company hated Bongero was working well for Nick. He thought he would lay it on a little and watch Bongero squirm.
“If you want, sir, I can drop the John Deere project and jump right over to a full press with UPS.”
“No, no, just get to the UPS account as soon as you can.” “Your call, sir.” Nick looked down to hide his grin.
Bongero changed the subject from John Deere to shut Nick down. The review of accounts part of the meeting was suddenly done for the day, but Nick had a feeling some bomb or another was about to drop. On the way to the meeting room, Jerry had mentioned a mandatory snooze fest was in the works. A handout was circulated around the room—there was the bomb. Big