Free Stained River by David Faxon Page A

Connery, founder and CEO of Hawthorne Capital Management, was listed among the passengers of Global Air flight 302 from La Guardia that disappeared in the Amazon yesterday. While his death is unconfirmed, the news shocked the business world. Well known on Wall Street , his firm is considered among the most successful.
    According to Dan Hewett, executive vice president of Hawthorne, there is little information regarding the purpose of his trip…Mr. Connery is well known in the Boca Raton area…
     
    The story went on to tell of Connery's career and some of the well-known people who invested with him. Pam read the article and realized for the first time , her world was upside down. There was good cause to worry. Until now, she had the house and a comfortable alimony. In addition, there was a monthly check for unspecified ‘consulting fees.’ It was an agreement between her and Connery, a quid pro quo for not pressing other claims. What would happen now? Certainly, they would be taken care of, but her future was uncertain.
    Her first call was to Dan Hewett. She thought he was as close to Terry as anyone . It came as a surprise when, after the divorce, he invited her to lunch a few times with obvious intentions. She didn’t want to hurt him and so accepted his invitations. If Connery was aware, nothing was mentioned. During the lunches, Hewett talked passionately about the future of the business. Too much, she thought. It was a subject she grew tired of years before. Dan was tops in his field and Connery used the prestige he lent Hawthorne. For this, he received a handsome sum. For her part, she didn’t encourage the relationship. It felt awkward and one day she said so. He didn’t take offense, but the lunch dates ceased.
    She called his cell phone.
    “Dan, this is Pam. Tell me what's going on?”
    “I don't know. I'm as shocked as anyone. You know Terry always played things close to the vest, and didn't let me in on a lot of things. That’s the way he was.”
    “Did he say anything before he left that led you to believe something was wrong?”
    “Not a thing.”
    “Did you know he was going to Brazil?”
    “All I know is that he was going to a meeting with executives from a mining company. I think Cindy may know more than I do. I’ll talk with her later this morning. If I hear anything more, I'll let you know.”
    “Did he say anything about a man named Castelo Branco? A guy from Treasury was here last night asking if I knew him.”
    There was a pause. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
    She wanted to ask more, but it sounded like he was pressed for time. She read the inflection in his voice and ended the conversation.
    “Thanks Dan, stay in touch.”
    Pam hung up, not wanting to accept that Terrence was finally out of her life. Someday, she would learn what drove him.
     
    Dan Hewett decided several months before, to seize control of Hawthorne. To this end, he enlisted the aid of Stephen Walters. Hewett was instrumental in Walters’ promotion to CFO when the position came open unexpectedly.  Connery offered mild objection at the time, but went along; too busy with dalliances in Malaga to be overly concerned. With Walters as CFO, Hewett had the perfect conduit to company finances. Walters was a puppet, plied with enough money and perks so he would do anything required.
    Hewett was a year ahead of Connery at the Air Force Academy. They became fast friends even when Hewett reached the status of upper classman. On at least two occasions, he saved Connery from demerits that could have led to the younger man’s suspension. It was something Connery never forgot. After graduation, the two maintained contact . Hewett embarked on his career while Connery finished his senior year, then married Pam. For the next several years, they conversed only occasionally. That is, until Hawthorne Capital grew exponentially. Connery needed a senior manager he felt comfortable with and could trust. No one fit that category better