A Shared Confidence Read Online Free PDF Page B

all he could raise in cash just now. Jimmy was good for twenty-five. He could try calling home for more, but the prospect was a doubtful one – Jimmy was on the outs with his family these days. (Big surprise, thought Ryland.)
    That left two hundred and eighty thousand dollars still to be covered. Stanton and Jimmy looked expectantly at Ryland, who was making furious calculations in his head. Almost three hundred thousand dollars, nearly his entire personal fortune. But money he would get back immediately, along with fifty thousand of pure profit. No, Stanton corrected, if Mr. Ryland was putting up nearly eighty-nine percent of the initial investment, it was only fair he receive a proportionate share of the profits. Stanton may not be able to go to his other investors for money, but he could see to it that their expected proceeds were reinvested in another deal. Mr. Ryland would receive just over one hundred thirty thousand dollars over and above the value of the initial investment. Jimmy agreed to this (though somewhat reluctantly it seemed to Ryland).
    It was settled. Ryland would telephone his bank in Lincoln and arrange for the money to be transferred to an account he would open locally.
    A nerve-wracking week passed while Ryland waited for the money to show up. He split his time between arranging for the funds, keeping his business going over the telephone, and keeping a close eye on Jimmy Canfield. The waiting and the close quarters took their toll on both men, but finally, Friday morning, Ryland came to the brokerage office carrying a heavy valise full of money. In a matter of minutes, he’d be walking back out with a good deal more. Exhilarated, he felt almost like a bank robber.
    Ryland was expecting to meet Jimmy outside the brokerage office, but was surprised to see Stanton standing there with him, the two men in animated conversation. Stanton had been careful to avoid even showing his face around here since initially introducing Ryland and Jimmy to the manager, always fearful of being recognized and having greedy parasites swarm over his carefully-arranged investments. Stanton saw Ryland and walked sharply up to him, hurriedly explaining that an incredible opportunity had come up, something that could double their already healthy profit waiting inside. He’d rushed down here to give the particulars to Jimmy and must leave right away before anyone saw them together. If any freebooters got wind of this, if they recognized Stanton and saw him talking to Jimmy, then waited to see what stock Jimmy was going to buy or sell…
    â€œI implore you, Mr. Ryland, please follow Jimmy’s lead in this. I have given him the most careful, the most explicit instructions. I will be waiting in your hotel suite. Come there immediately after you finish up here.” He smiled briefly. “I believe a celebration is in order.”
    Ryland, heart beating rapidly, followed Jimmy inside. The manager came to the window, took the valise, and verified the funds. As he was giving the clerk instructions to make good on the receipt for shares, Jimmy interrupted him with yet another purchase: as many shares of Consolidated AgCom as their four hundred fifty thousand would buy. Jimmy seemed a little nervous himself.
    It was all happening too quickly for Ryland. The money he’d waited for, risked his whole fortune for, was to be used immediately to make another investment. True, they’d been doing it this way for two weeks now, but not for such a huge amount! But Stanton’s investments had never failed to do exactly as predicted, had never failed to pay off. Not once. How much more was Ryland going to make on this new deal?
    The two men rushed back to the hotel. Stanton was waiting in their suite, mixing a drink at the small bar. He looked up and gave them a celebratory smile. Jimmy rushed forward to hand over his receipt for the purchase. Stanton took one look at it and his beaming smile turned into a look of