As soon as they hear the Sinners wire-brushed you due to injuries, nobodyll be interested anymore. At least consider Frasers offer.
Cale looked stubborn. The moneys pocket change, Leland.
Crystal almost swallowed her teeth.
The agent slicked a hand through thinning hair. So ask for a hundred grand.
Theyll never pay it, Crystal sputtered, fearing in her heart that they would.
Leland hustled her to the door. Ask them, darlin, he whispered loudly. Come back later with a counter. Ill keep the Sinners from releasing a statement until Cale hammers out this deal.
Crystal found herself outside in the hall staring at the closed door. A hundred thousand dollars to comment on a few games a year? They were out of their ever-loving gourds.
CHAPTER THREE
CRYSTAL DECIDED to grab some lunch and call André before going to see Skip and the other boys to give them their keepsakes. The crowded cafeteria pulsed with noisy chatter. Doctors and nurses who ordinarily ate in one of the hospitals three open courtyards had been driven inside by the storm.
She chose a shrimp salad and a cup of coffee and settled into a corner table by a window. Fat raindrops beat steadily against the glass. Warming her hands on the cup, Crystal dreaded calling André. It was hard to gauge how hed react. Probably hed be upset. She ought to have explained to Tanner how generous the offer really was. But no, he wanted more. He wouldnt have listened to reason. To top it off, hed acted as if eighty-five thousand was a paltry amount.
Thank goodness it wasnt her problem. She coordinated all department budgets and gave input into spending patterns. The decision to spend an obscene amount of money to hire a nameand to Crystal Caleb Tanners name was the only thing he had of any worthbelonged to the company principals, mainly André and Gaby. Margaret always backed them. Charles had almost ceased participating, and as for his sons...well, Alain and Raymond opposed everything André put on the table. Jason rarely attended meetings. Scott avoided all family politics. But spending money always caused major bickering.
Still, she couldnt sit here procrastinating forever. Swallowing a bite of salad, Crystal took her cell phone out of her handbag and quickly punched in Andrés number. Hi, its me, she said inanely in response to his greeting. Tanner tore up our offer, André. I hope you dont fall off your chair, but get this. His bottom line is one hundred thousand. Plus benefits, Im sure. I let him know the figure was preposterous.
She held the phone away from her ear as André responded.
Youre telling me to go for it? Do you know how much of a slice that takes out of the sports budget? We paid Jerry Davis half that and he came to WDIX an experienced broadcaster. For all you know, Tanner might freeze in front of the camera.
Crystal cradled the phone on her shoulder while she poked at the shrimp among her salad greens. The more determination she heard in Andrés voice, the less hungry she became. Okay, she said. Ill concede that might be far-fetched. I realize youve seen him field sports interviews. Of course Lyon Broadcasting is solvent. Yes, we have money in the discretionary fund. André, maybe itd be better if you and Nate came and talked to Tanner. Ill go back to the office and adjust the short- and long-term planning figures to reflect your decision.
She shoved her salad away. I know you want him. It just seemed such an absurd request I didnt seriously imagine youd go that high.
Sighing, Crystal massaged her forehead. Okay. Will you print another letter of intent with the new dollar amounts and run it over here? Two copies. You sign both and Ill have Tanner do the samemaybe. If he goes for it. You might want to include a list of benefits. I have a feeling hell ask what all were offering. Buzz me when youre a couple of blocks from the hospital. Ill come out to the curb and collect the envelope so you dont have to fight for parking.
After she hung up, she drank her cold coffee and contemplated what quirk in male brains made them elevate sports figures to the top of the salary pyramid. Well, top salary for an independent TV station, anyway. And from Tanners remarks it wasnt even close to what he made throwing a stupid ball around a cow pasture. But then, rock stars pulled down indecent money compared to most jazz musicians she knew. More of lifes unfairness, she supposed.
The cafeteria had begun to empty. Rather than visit the boys while she waited for Andrés call, Crystal refilled her coffee cup. Better to sew up this deal with Tanner and get it out of her system. Kids were so perceptive. Skipper, especially, because of the stream of foster families hed lived with could pick up moods easily. Crystal didnt want him worrying about her little snit.
Ultimately she downed three cups of coffee before André called. Her teeth might be on edge from an overdose of caffeine, but at least the storm had blown over and the rain had stopped. The sun had popped out and steam rose off the sidewalks by the time Crystal jogged out to the street to meet Andrés car. He wasnt alone. Nate and Michael were with him.
Sure you wont handle this, André? she pleaded again as he shoved the manila envelope into her hand. Ill smuggle you past the nurses station.
Nate leaned across André. Pro athletes can be superstitious as heu, Crystal. We dont know that Tanner is, but no sense rocking the canoe, if you know what I mean. Hes talking to you, and that suits me fine. Say, André forgot to askdid Cale mention how long itd be before we can expect him to come on board?
We, uh, didnt get to the particulars. I doubt wed have progressed beyond him ripping up our letter if his agent hadnt shown up.
André frowned. Is Bergman involved in our negotiations? If so, the tab may go even higher.
Crystal flattened herself against the car as an SUV plowed through a puddle and water sprayed from beneath its big wheels. Mr. Bergmans the one who urged Tanner to reconsider taking the job. I gathered hes only just found out for sure that the Sinners arent going to renew Calebs contract.
So its official? Nate played drumbeats on Andrés dash. Im glad you beefed up the benefits, André. Well hit him while hes still reeling. Stay with him until he signs, Crystal. And be nice. Tell him what he wants to hear. That hell have a generous travel allowance and his own expense account.
What? Crystal bent down and thrust her head into the car. Am I going to have to fight with him over road expenses the way I do with you, Nate? You cant give an employee an unlimited expense account. Its financial suicide. Tell him, Michael.
André cleared his throat. Its not open-ended, Crystal. But wed rather wait to set the parameters after Caleb starts work and we have a better sense of what his duties will be. Can you avoid stating an exact amount? Just indicate itll be generous.
I think youre all nuts, she muttered. A monkey in silk is still a monkey.
Oh, thats something else, Nate said. While Michael drew up the new offer, I did some digging into Cales background. He graduated from Texas A & M with a degree in communications.
Ill bet. Everybody knows college counselors give jocks do-nothing courses.
Nate smiled. Used to be true, thank heaven. Otherwise Id have never made it through Georgia State. Now everybody has to pull his weight academically. Cale carried a 3.8 grade point. So give credit where credits due.