The First Billion

Armed with a Juris Doctor and an MBA from New York University, a CPA's credential emblazoned upon his breastplate, Roy DiGenovese was the newest member of the FBI's Joint Russo-American Task Force on Organized Crime. Prior to his studies, he'd spent time in the U.S. Army, earning his Ranger's tab and serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Be

Setting the cigarette in the ashtray, DiGenovese picked up a scuffed Nikon from the seat beside him and brought it to his eye. The speed-wind whirred nicely as he fired off a dozen stills of Gavallan hauling himself out of the crazy old car with the gullwing doors. Even through the shutter, the man looked tired and in need of a break. It was easy to understand why. Seven days of following Gavallan had convinced DiGenovese he'd made the right decision not to take a job on Wall Street. Twelve hours a day cooped up inside a skyscraper was no way to go through life. The guy's desk might be made of mahogany, but the chain that tied him to it was pig iron, all the same.

As soon as Gavallan disappeared inside the sleek office tower, DiGenovese exchanged the Nikon for a two-way radio. "Zebra two, this is Zebra base, come in."

"Zebra two, roger."

"Maid gone?"

"Two minutes back. On her way to pew number seven at St. Mary's as we speak."

"Good. Tell her to light a candle for us, we who are about to sin."

Gavallan's maid, a middle-aged Guatemalan illegal named Hortensia Estrada, hadn't missed morning mass a single day that week. The service lasted between fifty and sixty minutes, leaving DiGenovese's men plenty of time to do their work.

"You're good to go, Zebra two," said DiGenovese. "Time at target is thirty minutes. I repeat: three-zero minutes. Are we clear?"

"Roger, Zebra base. Three-zero minutes. Walk in the park."

Are you sure you want to do this?" Sten Norgren asked, clutching a sheaf of manila folders, legal envelopes, and stray papers to his chest.

"Just give me the documents, Sten. It's not that big a deal."

Hesitantly, Norgren laid the stack of papers on his desk. "It's only for your protection," he pleaded in an injured tone. He was short and barrel-chested, with a florid, cherubic face and curly blond hair. "Isn't it just a wee bit crazy to stuff all your money in one investment?"

"Not if it's your own company," said Gavallan. "Besides, can I tell you a secret?" He motioned the attorney closer. "That stuff about diversification? It's bullshit. Just a ruse to bump up commissions. We can't have our customers buying and holding the same stock for twenty years at a time. We'd be bankrupt by Christmas. Sector rotation, averaging in, market timing- that's the ticket. Churn and burn, Sten, that's the name of the game."

For a moment, Norgren didn't answer, and Gavallan could practically see the lawyer's analytical mind parsing over his statement, deciding whether what he said might actually be true. Then Norgren burst out, "Shut up, you bullshit artist. Sit your butt down in that chair, right now. I've got just the pen to sign your life away- a Mont Blanc that Sherry gave me for Christmas. Lousy thing cost more than my law school diploma."

Gavallan found his way to the chair and sat down. He had always hated lawyers' offices. He had only to set foot inside one for a feeling of imminent bad luck to creep into his neck and shoulders. Norgren's office was no exception, even with the Scandinavian furniture, the credenza packed with photos of blond, smiling kids, and the colorful modern art on the wall.

"Last chance," said Norgren.

"The pen, maestro."

Norgren took a beautiful onyx and gold fountain pen from his pocket and plucked off the cap. "She's all yours."

Recognizing the concern as genuine, Gavallan was flushed with a sudden fondness for the man. These days it was pretty hard to find a lawyer who gave a damn. "Thanks, man, but I know what I'm doing."

"I'm sure you do," said Norgren, a little too quietly.

The firm of Norgren, Piel, and Pine had done the majority of Black Jet's securities work for years: fairness opinions, registration statements for the SEC, legal analyses of all ma

Gavallan spent a few moments reading through the documents. On top of the pile was a statement from Alameda Trust Corporation, granting him a second mortgage on his home in Pacific Heights in the amount of two million dollars. Beneath it were envelopes containing Gavallan's monthly bank and brokerage statements and the HUD-1 for the recent sale of his property in Montana- all the paperwork Norgren had needed to secure the loan on his behalf.

Gavallan's first action was to endorse the check made out in his name and hand it to Norgren. "You know where to deposit this."

"How much does this bring it to? North of twenty million, if I'm not mistaken?"

"Twenty-five point seven, to be exact," answered Gavallan, meeting his eye. "Don't worry, Sten, I am keeping track."

Black Jet's recent quarterly losses, combined with decreases in the value of securities the firm held for its own account and a certain fifty-million-dollar bridge loan he'd made to a less than investment grade customer, necessitated the capital injections. The Securities and Exchange Commission had strict requirements for firms underwriting new issues, especially ones valued at two billion dollars. Gavallan was not going to lose Mercury on a technicality.

"Why don't you let me make some calls," suggested Norgren. "I know some money center banks who could help out. Your reputation's sterling, Jett. You know that."

"I'm flattered, Sten, but it's hardly a good time. We're due to book our second quarterly loss in a row. We wouldn't get close to the price we deserve."

"I thought business was picking up. Markets are a helluva lot stronger than a year back. I'm sure you could get a great price- two times book at least."

Gavallan wondered if Norgren had already placed a few calls on his behalf. Black Jet's book value was close to four hundred million dollars; two times book gave the firm a value of eight hundred million. Gavallan considered the price, but the prospect of vast riches left him unfazed. And then? he mused. What happens after that? Report to a drone three thousand miles away? Sit on a beach reading paperback novels? Work on his golf game for eleven years in hopes of joining the Senior Tour? Sell? Never. The word wasn't in his vocabulary.

"The problem's overhead," said Gavallan. "Business isn't too bad. Revenues might even inch up a little over last year."

"So fire some people, Jett. Come on. Rationalize, downsize, economize."

"Compromise, marginalize, capsize," countered Gavallan, firing off the words like bullets.

"Survive!" shouted Norgren. "Stop being so damned proud and do what everyone else in your place would have done a year ago."

"Proud? I've fired forty men and women so far this year. Is that 'proud' enough for you?"

"It isn't up to me to decide- it's up to the market. It's no sign of failure if you cut back a little, tighten your belt." When Gavallan didn't respond to his prodding, Norgren threw up his arms in frustration. "Whatever you say, Jett. I'm just your lawyer. You pay me to keep you apprised of your best options. Consider yourself informed." And sighing, he bent over Gavallan's shoulder and thrust out a beefy hand to indicate where he should sign. "Here. Here. And here."