The boardroom door banged open as if people were leaning on it and Mrs. Olayomi and Benibo rushed into the room talking simultaneously. This had become his office in the last couple of days, just as he had also converted his office to his bedroom. He hadn‘t been home for three days; he‘d been swamped with work. Edward stared at their faces in fatigued confusion but smiled as their excitement flew in after them.

“We‘ve made it!” Benibo crowed in victory. “We found the seven percent.”

Edward jumped up; this was their first real lead. “That is great news. Forgive me but I was so swamped; there are so many decisions to be made. Sit down and tell me what‘s happening.”

“The lawyers of the executor of the seven percent just called to say it‘s on the market. They want a meeting with us in the next couple of days. We set up one for noon tomorrow. After the brief phone conference, we offered to buy at five percent over the market price. The executor‘s broker was very negative; he made it clear that our acquirers were also interested, and he wanted it to end in an auction with them. We have to be able to beat their price.” Mrs. Olayomi‘s brow was furrowed with worry.

Benibo added, “I can tell you the broker didn‘t find it funny at all. He begged out of the meeting halfway through the call. I‘m sure he would have liked to sell it to our rivals and make a big killing. The lawyers seem more neutral, but we‘ll see tomorrow.”