A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

When Leo arrived at work, his uncle looked upset. Jonathan motioned for him to come into his office. After he put his hat up, he joined his uncle and sat in the chair in front of his desk while the older man closed the door.

―What's wrong? Leo asked as his uncle sat in his chair. ―I just got word that Hugh Rivers' accounting firm went bankrupt, and the funny thing is that the Grants just opened an accounting division in their company. So they are not only doing investments and loans, but they are also doing accounting.

―This is more than a coincidence. ―It's obvious to anyone what is going on but people are turning a blind eye to it. I originally thought we were dealing with rattlesnakes, but I was wrong. We are dealing with boa constrictors.

They don't kill automatically. They squeeze the money out of the businesses they are trying to run out of town. Their ultimate goal is to be a monopoly. Just how many businesses they plan to take over is anyone's guess, but it's apparent, we are on that list. His uncle tapped the table with his fingers.

―That's why they went after Mr. Allen. Accounting and tax preparation go hand in hand. Mr. Allen was the best tax preparer in this town and they knew it. It's too bad we can't prove they sabotaged his and Mr. Rivers' businesses.

―We know for sure what happened with Mr. Allen, but are you sure they are responsible for Mr. Rivers' bankruptcy?

―No, but I have a strong suspicion. ―So what is our game plan? ―The Grants will be going to the Bi-Monthly Businessmen's Convention at the Edward's Hotel. ―We go there as well.

―Which won't make them suspicious when we show up. I need you to follow good old Jr. for me while I follow his father. We need to keep a safe distance but stay close enough to overhear parts of their conversations with the other men there to see if we can figure out who they're going to target on their way to obtaining their monopoly.

If we can gather enough support from the other businesses that are in danger, we might succeed in exposing them for who they are.

―That sounds easy enough. Is there anything else?

―We have that meeting in fifteen minutes with Conrad Leroy at his bank. Then we'll take an early lunch so we can be at the convention. I don't want to worry about eating there this time. Leo nodded and followed his uncle out of his office so they could go to the bank.

Conrad wanted to offer his customers a place to invest money, and he was considering contracting that service out to the Monroes or Grants. By the time they reached the convention, the Grants were already there.

―Time to get to work, Jonathan whispered before they separated and went to their respective Harrison. Leo kept a comfortable distance from Harrison Jr. who was talking to Jefferson Maxwell, one of the wealthiest men in town.

Mr. Maxwell was also a prominent client at the Monroe Investing Firm. ―I heard that telephones are becoming more prominent, Harrison Jr. told Mr. Maxwell.

―Yes, I think they will become popular enough so that every household will have one by the end of the next century, Mr. Maxwell agreed. Leo pretended to be interested in a pamphlet that was on the table in front of him.

He was focused on the conversation so he didn't even know what the pamphlet was about. Mr. Maxwell stood at the table next to him, and Harrison was smiling as he talked to the older man.

―My company offers an investment in a telephone utility stock that you might be interested in, Harrison stated. ―Mr. Monroe offers that type of stock as well, Mr. Maxwell replied. ―I've had good returns on my investments with him.

―Perhaps you would be interested in combining the utilities. Telephones aren't the only utility available. There is also water and electricity.