Spoils of the Game (37 page)

Madeline led Austin into the room and slowly approached the priest. “Father,” she said softly.

The priest opened his eyes and stared in Madeline’s direction. It was clear that in the months since his retirement party, his condition has slipped significantly. He searched the room and understood that he had visitors.

“Father, it is Madeline Rousseau. Do you remember me?”

“Oh, Madeline. Yes, yes, I remember you. We recently talked on the phone. Is it five o’clock? I am sorry, I took a little nap,” the priest said with a laugh.

Two other priests joined them in the room. One was a lifelong friend of Gladieux’s, and the other was a much younger priest that had been helping some of the older priests that had come for the reunion. Everyone made their introductions, and Austin was glad that they were there.

“Father,” said Madeline, “I am so glad that you could find time in your schedule.”

“Oh, Madeline, it is my joy to meet with you and your friend. I must say that I am curious about your need, but please understand that I am on God’s schedule,” said Gladieux, who still had a twinkle in his eyes. His life had been the church, and he had prayed that God would allow him to continue his work, but time was not on his side, and perhaps God had other plans for him.

Madeline had hoped for a better location to meet with the priest. Not being shy, she took the lead and suggested that everyone move to a better location, perhaps to a small garden next to the cathedral. The afternoon light brought warmth and highlighted the beauty of the building dedicated to God. The small group sat in the quiet of the garden, and Madeline introduced the purpose of the meeting.

“Father, the last few weeks have been an adventure,” said Madeline. “We have done many things and have made many discoveries. I must first tell you that Austin has asked me to marry him, and I would be honored if you would conduct the service.”

A broad smile came over the face of the priest. “Madeline, I have known you since you were a small child, and I would be very happy to preside over your marriage. I must say that you caught me just in time, since I, along with some of my friends, are completing our retirement plans. When you need me, I will be there. Will it be in Saint-Abban?”

“Oh, yes, in the little church in Saint-Abban. As soon as we have our plans established, I will call you.

Gladieux extended his hands to both Austin and Madeline. His strength was fading, but his heart was strong.

“Father, we have another topic that we need to discuss with you,” continued Madeline. “I mentioned that the last few weeks have been an adventure. We recently came across a collection of antique pots that to our surprise contained a treasure of gold.”

“Was there a leprechaun nearby?” asked Gladieux with a laugh.

Everyone shared in the laugh, but no one laughed as much as the failing priest.

“Father,” continued Madeline, “we have been very fortunate in life, and God has given us many blessings. Over the years that I have known you, I have known that you have supported many projects around the world. We wanted to present the gold to you so that you could use the money for one of your projects.”

Father Gladieux had for years helped sponsor several orphanages and schools in former French colonies and often had to fight for money to support them. Upon hearing Madeline’s words, he was speechless, and perhaps he did not understand the magnitude of the money.

Austin moved forward in his seat and added, “Father, it is important that you understand, as we say in the States, that there are a few conditions. The first is that you establish how the money is to be spent. Second, we will provide you with the gold, but you are to determine the best way to turn the gold into the money you need. And last, the source of the gold is to be a secret.”

As he made his comments regarding secrecy, Austin looked into the eyes of the other priests in attendance to confirm that they also understood.

“My son, God has a way of taking advantage of situations like this. Might I ask how much you think the gold is worth?”

“Father,” said Austin, “it is my estimation that it should be at least one and a half million euros.”

The priest slumped back into his chair, and tears began to form in his eyes. He looked at both Madeline and Austin as the tears continued to flow. His crying embarrassed him, but his emotions were much stronger than his physical ability to maintain manly control. The priest continued to cry for perhaps three or four minutes, with the two other priests standing to his side. Father Gladieux tried his best to wipe his eyes while trying to regain his composure. He reached out to both Madeline and Austin, who extended their hands.

“I must tell you that I have been in prayer for weeks, asking God to show me what I have done or achieved in the priesthood that would be worthy in his eyes. I have prayed that I would know my life has been all that he had hoped. Madeline, you have been sent from God. You are my confirmation. Mr. Austin, your conditions are also a blessing. Directing a contribution to a particular project is the best way to ensure that it will in fact go to that purpose and not into the general fund. You contribution will be kept a secret. No one audits the Church, and many people have made similar contributions. Madeline, you know of our work in the far east, and this money will support our efforts there for a long while.”

Austin reached into a small leather bag, brought out several gold disks, and handed them to the priest, who accepted them, held them in his hands, and then placed them on a small bench beside him. The priest rose and, standing on shaky legs, offered a blessing. Madeline was in tears. In her mind she had done the right thing. Now something that had been the cause of so much pain was being turned into a source of good.

They left the good priest at about seven-thirty and arrived at Paulette’s at about ten. It was an emotional reunion. Paulette had tears in her eyes for so many reasons, but all were tears of joy. Louis extended his hand to Austin and greeted him as the new brother-in-law that he was sure to be, and as the man that was going to help cure his son. It was about one in the morning when Austin and Madeline had found their room at the old hotel with the featherbeds. It had been a busy day, and on the oversized feather mattress they sank into the softness as one.

The next morning, it was back to Paulette’s house. As excited as everyone was last night and as carefully as they’d listened, they would have to wait until evening to hopefully talk to Dr. Bob. The day would be dedicated to wedding plans and perhaps another topics.

After breakfast Austin made an announcement. “If it is okay with everybody, Louis and I are going to his shop to talk business.”

Everyone agreed that it would be a good idea, but no one understood the significance.

Austin stood by as Louis opened the shop and placed some of his displays by the door. Since Austin first met Louis, business had continued to be good, and Louis had continued to be content. Austin and Louis were different men with different needs.

“Louis, since the last time we were together, something has been eating at me.”

Louis looked at Austin, trying to confirm in his own mind that he understood what had been said.

“Louis, do you remember the day that we walked through the vineyard, and do you remember what I said?

Louis again searched his mind to determine what Austin was trying to say.

“Louis, perhaps I am confusing you. When we walked through the vineyard, I was impressed with two things. I was impressed with the business, or maybe I should say the romance of the business. I was also was impressed with your knowledge of the business, or maybe your love of the business. I said to you back then that someday maybe I would like to buy a vineyard and just relax. Unfortunately I am having a tough time getting to that point in life where I can relax and just take it easy. No matter what I do, something just pops up and either makes me work harder or, at best, work in another direction. Louis, I want to buy a vineyard, but I do not have the time or experience to run it. Perhaps you have had the same idea but did not have the financial resources to make it happen. I guess what I am saying is, do you want to start a company with me to get into the winemaking business?

Louis was shocked. Who was this guy that had come into his life and helped his son and then wanted Louis to go into business with him?

“Louis, if you agree, this is what I need. I need a statement that defines the investment, the expenses, the cash flows, and an expectation of cash flows with a range of probabilities, candidates for purchase and their costs and, if possible, snapshots of their books. I especially need to understand the tax structure in France. If any one of the candidates is sick financially, I want to know how much money it would take to fix it. I am not going to kid you—this is going to be a lot of work. I will cover all costs of research and your time, and if we can put together the right deal, you and I will be fifty-fifty partners, and we will split the profits. You will have the responsibility of running the business, and I will be the banker and taster.”

Louis had much to think about.

“Louis, please listen to me. I don’t need an answer now or even next month. Right now I think I want to be in this business. I respect you and what you know. I also trust you. If, after a study of the opportunities and the market, you tell me I am crazy, I will listen to you. Think about what I said, and talk to Paulette.”

Louis and Austin shook hands, both men smiling. Louis was still in shock, but it was good. The rest of the day was dedicated to the two sisters visiting and good times. Immediately after dinner Austin called Dr. Bob, and the details of what he knew was given to the worried parents. Dr. Bob checked his schedule and proposed a date for the boy’s arrival in the United States; he outlined the planned tests and the expected details of the surgery. Madeline agreed to go to the States to help her sister and Louis, and Benjamin’s brother would go as well. The timing was good. Madeline would take some unpaid time off, and Austin would also go back, to attend to business.

In the weeks and months that followed, many things happened. Within two weeks of the phone discussion with Dr. Bob, Benjamin had his surgery. It proved to be more complicated than planned, but thanks to new techniques in microsurgery, a complete recovery was expected.

Austin had a sit-down meeting with Carl Thomson and a few of the other key people at Clay Medical. Austin would have a permanent position on the board while being the largest stockholder. Carl Thomson was the new president of Clay Medical. Austin was not leaving the company, only removing himself from the day-to-day activities. Madeline joined Austin at Clay Medical, and he introduced his wife-to-be to his company and the things and people that had made the company successful. After two weeks it was time to return to France with Madeline, Paulette, Louis, and the boys.

Upon returning to Paris, a plan was put together to help preserve some of the paintings that occupied many of the churches and basements in France. The plan would involve a nonprofit corporation headed by Austin Clay and managed by one Madeline Rousseau. There were some that wanted to object to one small detail or another, but the people that really mattered did not pay much attention to those who were obstacles.

In March, Madeline had a surprise for her hero and future husband. With hints of spring in the air, Madeline took Austin down to the Louvre for a special introduction. On the courtyard near the glass pyramid was a large balloon version of Pierre, the Museum Mouse. In Vassar’s office was the complete array of books, hats, buttons, T-shirts, umbrellas, coloring books, paint sets, and many other items, all intended to support the cash flow of the museum while being fun. Pierre was to become the mascot of the museum and a personification of one of Susan Clay’s dreams. Austin was touched, and for perhaps a few minutes he did not know how to handle his emotions as he stood next to his future bride.

In April, Austin and Madeline were married in the church at Saint-Abban. Father Gladieux, who had been the beginning of the adventure, had died in December, knowing that he had pleased his God. He was missed. One of the ushers at the wedding was Benjamin, who showed great improvement, with every indication that within few weeks he would be back to normal. Doctor Bob’s team had worked its magic.

In June Austin bought a vineyard with Louis as the acting president. It was a small vineyard but a good one for learning the business. Within the next five years the new vineyard would become one of the most respected in France, offering a variety of specialty wines. Austin and Madeline moved into a country home outside of Paris, but as a team, they became citizens of the world. In July of the next year, trials showed that the cancer-eating bacteria had an amazing appetite for human cancer cells while showing no interest in normal, healthy cells in a limited sample of subjects. This increased the value of Austin’s holdings by an additional eighty million dollars. Keeping to his most important concept, Austin Clay established the Gladieux Foundation, dedicated to targeted efforts at helping people who could help themselves if they had a little help.

It is often said that in many works of fiction, there are strands of truth. Was there an Austin and a Madeline? Was there a well in Northern Italy with clay pots full of treasure, and in the end did the gold bring good to the world? If one wants to know the truth, the best strategy might be to walk the streets of Antibes on a summer evening and look for a tall American with a beautiful French wife wearing a nice Patek Philippe watch. Ask them if they ever heard of an artist named Maetan. If they smile and say, “Oh, yes, he is a friend of ours,” then you will know the truth.