“I think you need to add another line of business on the PR and image side. You should offer image consultants or stylists,” I suggested. “Full-service personal management or assistance should really be full service.”
Frank and Kent looked at each other and nodded. Since I was also a model, I’d been lucky and was forced to wear my clients’ clothes. Ford Models had also made sure I knew how to do my hair and skin care.
Despite being thought of as ‘beautiful people,’ I’d seen several actors and extraordinarily wealthy people not look their best when participating in public events. I knew Frank’s company had a few public-appearance types on speed dial. I thought this was something that could help with their client’s image.
“That is something we should talk about,” Frank said, agreeing with me.
“Why? Do you think I don’t have fashion sense?” Grace teased.
I was about to make a smart comment when my mom dug her fingernails into my arm. It was probably a bad idea to tell her what I really thought. Grace saw what my mom did and frowned.
“We should talk,” she decided.
“Better yet, I’ll get you in touch with my friend Adrienne, and she can help you,” I suggested. Best to stay out of it, now that I’d thrown the grenade.
“She found dresses for Ava, Brook, and me for tomorrow night,” Mom said to help ease any potential hurt feelings.
“When did that happen?” I asked.
I was more than a little worried my mom had called Adrienne. I didn’t necessarily want them comparing notes.
“Lexi offered,” Mom said. “That reminds me. The tuxes for Ian, your dad, and you should be here today.”
I gave up. Lexi seemed to do everything for me. I should chalk it up as a win that she had turned into the world’s best PA. Still, I was a little unsettled that she hadn’t told me. It sounded like we would look good for the New Year’s party Brook’s family was throwing.
◊◊◊
We all signed a letter of intent to sell the business. There were still many details to be worked out before the sale could go through. All of which I left to Caryn, my dad, and everyone else. I was just happy to be out of it.
After that broke up, I was pulled into a conference call with my lawyers. We had to deal with the cash that had shown up. The regular brain trust was in the room, along with Bev Mass. Since she was the State’s Attorney for Cook County, she’d been invaluable in discussions like this.
“Your dad filled me in on what’s going on. I’ve asked Mr. Morris, Ms. Addison, and Tom Dole to join me on the call,” Ms. Dixon, my chief lawyer, said. “Your dad said you had some concerns about reporting this. Could you tell us what you’re thinking?”
“Ms. Addison has been helping us with the FBI and warned me not to volunteer information to them. In fact, she advised against sharing the videos of my meeting with the investigator from the NCAA, Mr. Chadwick. If we tell them about the cash, we get even deeper into this,” I explained.
“Do you have any concrete proof where the money came from?” Ms. Addison asked.
“Not really,” Dad said. “There was just a note that said ‘Go Blue.’”
“There are also the GoFundMe donations,” Megan added to remind everyone that it wasn’t just cash.
“I’m sure the FBI could figure out where they came from,” Ms. Addison informed us.
“Does it make any difference that the donations went to the charities and not me directly?” I asked.
“Charities that your sister-in-law and mother run,” Mr. Morris reminded me.
“I take that as ‘no, it doesn’t make a difference, I’m screwed,’” I said.
“Exactly right, David,” Ms. Dixon said. “I would strongly suggest that those two step down from the charities so there cannot be even the suspicion that they received a benefit from the money.”
“That’s not going to stop me from volunteering,” Mom said.
“Good. I hope you do continue. I also hope the charities continue. There just can’t be a direct link between them and David,” Ms. Dixon explained.
“Can I still donate to them?” I asked.
“Yes, you can. Now, what are your other concerns?” Mr. Morris asked.
“That my friends might get pulled into this. Wolf Tams and Tim Foresee might catch the eye of the NCAA so they have leverage over me,” I said.
“Do they have a reason to?” Ms. Dixon asked.
“Are you asking, did they receive money?” I asked.
“That would be the question,” Bev Mass said.
“When are you out of a job?” I asked.
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’” she said.
“I have no direct knowledge …”
“What do you know, our boy is learning,” Ms. Dixon said.
Bev Mass stared me down. I swear she was scarier than my mom.
“I specifically asked them not to tell me,” I said as I stared back.
“What do you suspect?” Bev asked.
“Based on their body language … hell, yes,” I admitted.
“Please tell me they haven’t spent any of the money,” Mr. Morris said.
“I told them not to,” I said.
