Goldstein, Johnson & Cole - 8. Chapter 8 The Second Meeting

“Kev, I've got an idea that might help with getting Joseph home with us, but only if you agree with me.”

“Ian, let's put Joseph to bed then we can discuss and if I think it's a good idea and could help then I'll agree.”

*****

Isaac prepared for his meeting with Ian and Kevin by going through the files again, he was looking for something that would stand out and make this case easier to bring to a satisfactory conclusion. Nothing was straightforward, Jacob has no biological connection to Manny or the lads and the paperwork that existed was at best, just about passable for local purposes. Everything was looking hopeless.

Unless the lads could come up with something there was only one possibility that he could think of. Ben Cohen, one of his partners, has a contact that had been useful to him in the past by providing documents and information under seemingly impossible circumstances, maybe they could help him. He decided to speak to Ben later in the day to seek advice.

Jacob escorted Ian and Kevin to Isaac's office, arriving at the reception he told them to use the mobile phone he had given them to call him when their meeting was over as he had to attend a meeting with his boss. The office just happened to be in the same building, but on a different floor.

His employer, Associated Executive Car Services, was a 'front' for a nameless independent organisation specialising in business and personal security they operated in Israel, the middle east and the surrounding regions. They had reciprocal arrangements with similar companies in other parts of the world.

When Jacob entered the offices of Associated Executive Car Services he recognised the two European men seated in reception and nodded his head in acknowledgement. They had been part of a joint extraction team removing a British businessman from the Gaza Strip a couple of years ago. The same operation that killed Jacob's partner of six years, and where the shorter man received a serious leg wound, obviously he had recovered well.

Gripping the handle of the door at the back of the reception allowed the chip in his watch to activate a proximity sensor unlocking the door. Immediately he came face to face with his boss.

“Good morning Jacob, I'm guessing you recognised our guests out front?”

“Yes sir, Is there a big assignment coming up? I can't think of any other reason for Tom and Dick to be here.” Jacob used their previous code names to refer to the men in reception.

“No, there's no a big operation, it's quite low grade but equally as important and you're already working on it.” Jacob was puzzled which showed on his face. “The men you are assigned to are connected to our British associates out there, they are family to their old C.O, I think you are aware of their plans. We are in debt to our associates, so as a courtesy we agreed to keep an eye on them and be of assistance if it is needed. Have you passed on the prepared mobile phones?”

“Yes sir and I just left them at the lawyers office two floors down.” Jacob was intrigued why he had been selected for this operation.

“I can read that look. There are two reasons that you are on this assignment. One is that I think you are a good fit for these gentlemen.” 'You mean because they are gay.' Jacob thought. “And two because you won't take time off, so a low grade operation where you just might have some fun will be good for you. Let's get Tom and Dick in here then you will understand everything.”

Jacob's boss pressed a button on the desk intercom. “Would you bring our guests through please,” releasing the button he smiled at Jacob.

“I'll bring them through right away sir.” Came the reply.

The young man from the front desk brought the guests through. He couldn't resist checking out the huge Israeli giant, then he blushed and rushed out when Jacob caught his roving eyes.

The guests spoke in unison. “Shalom Aleichem.”

Jacob and his boss replied in unison. “ Aleichem Shalom.”

Dick extended his hand. “It's good to see you again Jacob. It looks like you have an admirer, he couldn't take his eyes off you in reception.”

Shaking Dick's hand, Jacob's coy smile belied his outgoing personality. “He can look but I'm on an active operation so I'm off limits.” Turning to shake Tom's hand, “Tom it's good to see you recovered from your injuries, how is your leg these days?”

“It's as good as it's ever going to be, for now I'm only operational in the background, this is rare trip into the field for me.” Tom's background operations covered many areas, but mainly covered computers and other 'techie' stuff.

“Okay gentlemen, now that you're reacquainted let's get down to business. Our tech team is monitoring and have patched us in. Mr Lehrer has already already started the meeting. We can listen in from here.” Jacob's boss flicked a switch next to a speaker on the wall. They were listening in on a covert transmission from Ian's mobile phone.

“So what you're telling us is that it's going to be almost impossible to adopt Joseph.” The emotion in Kevin's voice was evident.

“Unless we can turn up something more to help us yes that is the case. It would probably be better to go down the route of legal guardianship, but even that is going to be tough going and will take time. The problem is that there is no biological connection between Manny or either of you. That and the paperwork we have is such that under heavy scrutiny it could prove useless.” Isaac Lehrer sighed.

The men upstairs didn't see Kevin nod to Ian prompting him to speak. “What if we transferred part of our share of the business to Joseph, would that show that he has a valid connection to the UK and us as business partners. We could even say that Manny left it to him in his will, as Joseph's name is Goldstein surely that would carry some weight.”

“I appreciate the thought but doing that could be very risky. With the existing paperwork being 'sketchy' if they examine the will the case would be lost. You would be in serious trouble possibly resulting in charges against you. As for Joseph he would be absorbed into the Israeli system and with no real means of identification he would get lost in the system and who knows what would happen to him then.” Isaac continued to explain the legal ramifications and tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.

Tom jumped up. “With the help of your tech guys I could probably provide some very useful paperwork. The problem is how do we do that without raising questions?”

The cogs were rolling in everyones mind when Jacob's boss spoke up. “I can't guarantee anything but there may be one possibility. I know one of Mr Lehrer's partners, we have occasionally done some work for him in the past. Let me make a call.”

When the direct line in Ben Cohen's office rang he answered it immediately, calls on this line always received priority. Instantly Ben knew the caller, they had on occasion been of assistance to each other. He listened intently to everything he was being told and of the intention to provide solutions for his business partner.

“Okay I can interrupt the meeting, what do you intend to do, or is it better that I don't know?” Ben listened some more. “Fair enough I'm happy to be kept in the dark. Let me go and see what I can do.” He ended the call and went directly to his partners office.

Tom, Dick, Jacob and his boss went back to listening at the wall mounted speaker.

The sound of a door being knocked and opened was heard.

“Isaac I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, I know it's important but this is urgent can I have a word?” Ben's voice was clear and sounded apologetic.

“Ian, Kevin, I'm sorry about this I'll only be minute or two, please help yourselves to refreshments from the fridge.” The sound of the door closing was heard as Ben and Isaac left the office.

The sound of drinks being removed from the fridge were heard, but disturbingly Kevin's sobbing could also be heard. Just as fast as his excitement rose a month ago, his hopes were being dashed and he felt like his heart was being stamped on.

Nobody could hear the conversation outside between Ben and Isaac. When Isaac returned to the office it was obvious how upset the lads were, especially Kevin.He sounded a lot more upbeat and positive when he spoke.

“I'm so sorry about about upsetting you that is something that I would never want to do. As it turns out the interruption to our meeting could be for the best.”

“Why, what's happened?” Kevin was sniffling trying to regain control.

“The reason for the interruption is that we have just received a phone call with information relating to Joseph and his circumstances. We don't have access to the full information yet, it could take a few days before we do. But and it's a big but, this could be a game changer.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Ian sounded calm but very business-like.

“Honestly at this stage I don't know, and I won't know until I have all of the information and time to go through it, but I am very hopeful, As soon as I have all of the details I will let you know, even if it means talking business at home. It may be beneficial if you could delay your departure for a few days, it would also give you more time with Joseph.”

“I'll get in touch with the airline, Ian, hun, I'm sorry if I'm jumping the gun, you will need to call Sean and make arrangements. Actually I'll let you speak to Sean first, if there are any problems I'll stay here on my own, your more important to the business than I am.”

“You're right Kev', I'll call Sean when we gat back to Isaac's my phone is there.”

With the meeting over Jacob's phone rang. “Hi guys. I'm just finishing off with my boss, wait for me in the reception and I'll be with you in a few minutes. I'm just finishing off my expenses claim and time sheet, I have to make sure I get paid, see you shortly.”

Jacob's boss raised an eyebrow, “laying it on thick aren't you?”

“I don't know what you mean boss, I'm just a lowly driver.” Jacob was laughing as he left the office.

Later in the day Ian Kevin were making calls to Manchester. Elsewhere 'Tom' and 'Dick' were getting down to work with an Israeli tech team.