In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

Mark McGowin said, “The rules of the trust have never been breached. The senior member of each family branch will continue to retain a seat on the board as a direct descendant of Colonel John Calhoun McGowin, through his five children who bore children of their own, thus a five-member original board. Our current board is down to three direct descendants. Distribution of assets from the trust will continue to require unanimous approval of the board of trustees before distribution. There has been no change in these directives for multiple generations. Do I hear a second?”

Mike said, “I second that motion to have the newest assets placed into the trust, in perpetuity. A meeting with trust attorneys has been scheduled to work out details for investing, as you know, Dad.”

Mark McGowin said, “Do I hear a vote for approval?”

“The vote carried with unanimous approval.” Mike said, “I move we table all other business until the next board meeting.”

“So be it. The motion to table all other business has been seconded and approved. Do I hear a motion to close the meeting?” Mark said.

“Not yet, Dad. I forgot something. After a discussion with the trust’s investment group, everyone will be pleased to know annual annuity disbursement checks to recipients will increase, effective immediately, as a result of the new capital investment. The amount of the increase will be determined by the accountants. I believe you will see a noticeable difference in your annuity check in the next year.”

Mark McGowin said, “A motion to close the meeting has been seconded and approved. This meeting is officially adjourned. Minutes will be officially recorded and distributed at the next meeting.”

Samantha squeezed Dicks thigh. “Well, that was easy. I’ve been worried about what you would do with all that money. No one’s even making a big deal out of millions of dollars.”

He smiled at Sam’s sincerity. “I could never say money isn’t important, because it is. Money is only the means to an end. Its value often depends on what one’s end needs are. Once your needs have been met, for the most part, money becomes less valuable, don’t you think?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure yet. Perhaps I’ll agree with you at some point.” She laughed.

“Let me put it another way,” he said. “Responsibility and strict adherence to established rules are the key to wealth management. Much like the responsibility to one’s job, business or any endeavor, wealth is soon lost, without perpetuity. A permanent trust should benefit all those in your family orbit. Once you reach that point, money is another tool in the tool chest. In the McGowin trust, the senior member of each branch is responsible for sharing the proceeds responsibly and equally, with their siblings. Every family member then has an opportunity for an established passive income to start their adult life. Individual family members may succeed or fail on his or her own merit.”

Mike slapped his hands together and grinned at the smiling faces. “Listen up everyone. All personal luggage will be loaded directly aboard Blue Dolphin, in Mandalay Bay. The McGowin family yacht stands ready for five days of family bonding with a brief stop at Avalon, then Newport and Dana Point. She’ll anchor in San Diego Bay overnight before returning, non-stop, to Mandalay Bay in Ventura County. Consider this a family reunion cruise. Anyone with objections to that had better hide under the table.”

He laughed. “My last interruption. The captain, and that be me, has ordered all hands, including late sleeping scalawags, be prepared to stand by for the mooring operation in Avalon harbor at 5:48 a.m. That’s sunrise tomorrow morning, for a magnificent view of the sun burning through the morning mist of the San Pedro Channel. Bloody Mary’s are optional.”

Blue Dolphin eased to a stop in the calm water of Avalon Bay. The three men on deck watched the anchor drop quietly, in deep water, one hundred yards off Casino Point. They continued drinking coffee, and talking in low undertones.

Dick waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Do you have a sense of how you’d like this to play out?”

“Uncle Mark made plans for the day here in Avalon. He thought everyone would like a day of relaxing, just plain visiting the shops, and good restaurants. He thought a tour of Avalon in one of those little rental vehicles would be nice. I’m not sure what else he had in mind.” Dammit pointed at the Wrigley mansion, then at the Zane Grey house, on an opposing hill. “Have you ever actually taken time to visit those land marks?”

Mike laughed. “Only walking past. As kids, we were always too busy playing around underwater, like spearing fish on the edge of the game reserve.” He thought he heard a door open. “You know, I think we should let the beauties keep on sleeping for a while. Happy hour lasted a bit too long last night. Dad’s stories about growing up in Alabama kept everyone in stitches. Catherine’s already down in the galley, putting everything together for wake-up coffee and sweet rolls. That can be any time after the scalawags drag themselves topside.”

Dammit put his coffee down and slapped Mike on the back. “I get a kick out of how he enjoys telling about his thirteen-year-old cousin dropping him through the outhouse toilet hole as a baby. It’s true. Dad’s own brother confirms the story.”

“Yeah,” Dick said. “And that’s not the only laughable tale told last night.”

He felt one of the phones vibrate in his jacket pocket: Samantha’s phone. He looked at the name on the screen; Angel. Should I answer it? He hit the speaker button. “Hi, Angel. This is Dick McGowin. Sam’s asleep. Should I wake her?”

“This is important, Dick. I owe Samantha for years of friendship. She isn’t safe anywhere. The island sheriff’s department has a man loyal to the cartel working there. He’s been