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I turned left and entered the inner sanctum of executive offices.
Libby was at her station outside Dad’s office, and she offered a smile as I approached.
I pointed a finger. “Don’t ever book me on a flight like that again.”
She nodded toward my father’s door. “It was his idea.”
“Huh?”
“I asked about a charter. He said no.” She shifted back to her computer. “He’s waiting for you.”
I unbuttoned my suit coat and opened the door to my office instead of his.
“They’re waiting for you,” Libby repeated.
I waved a hand. “Got it.” After setting down my bag and hanging up my coat, I went out to my father’s office. Taking a calming breath, I pulled open the door.
Dad was at his desk. Tony Vignali, our integrations expert, and Harold Snyderman, company CFO, were with him.
“Enjoy your vacation?” Dad asked.
The lack of a question about the engine fire and unplanned stop in Sioux City meant my brother had kept his mouth shut about it, like I’d asked him to.
Tony looked down at his lap.
“It wasn’t as long as I’d planned,” I replied, keeping my snark to a minimum.
“Couldn’t be helped,” Dad said as he watched me take a seat. “You can reschedule after we’re done with this latest project.” In Dad’s world, every acquisition was a project.
I looked over at Harold. “I didn’t know we’d finished the due diligence to make an offer on Camper Heaven.”
We’d been circling the RV chain for two months, and Harold had told me before I left that he needed at least another month for due diligence.
“Not Camper Heaven,” Harold corrected me.
“This came up suddenly,” Dad said. “I was approached directly, and we had to move.”
I still didn’t know what we were talking about. “Who, then?”
“Tuscan Foods,” Tony said.
The name didn’t ring a bell. “I haven’t seen a file on them. What about due diligence?” I asked.
Dad opened a hand toward Harold, who answered. “The transaction is structured to be contingent on post-purchase targets and integration performance. We have to scope it out on the fly.”
I turned to Dad. “And what does this have to do with me?”
He smiled. “You’re going to handle this one personally.”
He’d created another of his tests.
I shook my head. “Not interested. Tony can take care of it.”
Tony showed no interest in rescuing me. “I’m getting ready for Camper Heaven.” But his lack of eye contact said all I needed to know about whose idea this was.
Great. Dad had laid a trap in the few days I’d been gone, and obviously the guys were under orders to not give me an out.
Dad patted the file in front of him. “Like I said, this one is for you to handle personally.” I didn’t have an option. He slid the file in my direction. “I want you to get them integrated with Smith’s as soon as possible.”
