When the Shark Bites
by
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He waited in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel, wearing a dark gray Ermenegildo Zegna suit with a muted pinstripe. A comely businesswoman ten years his senior left the elevator, scanning him with an appreciative grin as she walked by. Their eyes met, and Valerian nodded. He was accustomed to the sometimes blatant scrutiny, particularly from women his age and older. More confident in themselves, they found no need to be subtle. Another elevator opened and a tall, leggy blonde stepped out. She clung to a dark-haired man three inches shorter, whom Valerian knew to be Harrison Carter. The mid-twenties woman had the customary showcase face and body available to any male with money, most of whom - Carter among them - wouldn’t otherwise get a first look from an attractive female. Valerian stepped forward with a small wave. Carter acknowledged him with a nod, then dismissed the bimbo. The Massachusetts real estate developer was in his fifties, with a swarthy complexion, Mediterranean features, and a salesman’s smile that snapped on as if controlled by a switch. "Mr. Valerian?" he said, hand extended. "Sorry for being so difficult to track down. It’s been a hectic time." They moved to a close seating arrangement in a quiet corner of the lobby. Carter owed the Central Coast Bank nine hundred thousand. Two days before the loan was due, he took off on an extended trip to Europe. After leaving a trail of unanswered phone messages at the developer’s hotels in Rome, Zurich, and Munich, Valerian had gone to London. "When you called, you said you just happened to be in town on other business," Carter said. "Doing what? What’s your position with the bank?" "I’m an independent contractor with their special assets department. Here to make arrangements for your loan to be paid. We’re hopeful you can wire the money." Carter laughed. "I’ll be a son-of-a-bitch. You’re a collector. By God, that Tommy Morse has a lot of balls. I’ll give him that." He paused but kept smiling. "You’ve come a long way for no reason."
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About the Book
Matt Keane is a former banking executive struggling with personal financial problems, and a divorcee trying to maintain ties to his stepdaughter, Lindsey. Economic necessity forces him to accept a position with ICS, a little known Boston area consulting firm. Unknown to Matt, the company is part of a sophisticated financial operation with an innovative expansion strategy. And Matt is key to that strategy’s success. Anthony Valerian is the company’s collection agent. A freelancer who once worked for his organized-crime uncle, he now collects debts for a select clientele, hiding his ruthless techniques behind an urbane image. He and Matt were childhood friends who grew to hate each other after Matt discovered an unforgivable secret about Valerian. Matt gradually learns the truth about ICS through his romantic connection to Robyn Harmon, whose father owns a summer resort in Maine. The elder Harmon borrowed from an ICS affiliate using the resort as collateral, and can’t pay the loan when due. Knowing this, and as a way to fund their expansion plans, the ICS group has contingently sold the resort to the Russian Mafia, who have their own ideas about its use. Drawn into Robyn’s fight to hold onto the family company, Matt must battle Valerian’s terrorism - which spreads to Lindsey - ICS’s blackmail, and a vindictive ex-wife who doesn’t want him to have anything to do with her daughter.
About the Author
Ronald Azzolina has been the CEO of a hotel/casino company in Atlantic City, a bank president, and a financial consultant. He also spent ten years as a reserve police officer with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, attaining the rank of Captain. He lives with his wife and their Rottweilers outside Boston, Massachusetts. This is his sixth book.