The Fixer

By Terry L. Harris

Can a person see everything before them but be blind to everything around them? The bonus for Jon and his sister from another mister, and her brother from another mother, both are blessed with perspicacious instincts and visualization adeptness.
Jon, with his unique team, hires his abilities out to fortune 500 Companies who have found their way to the bottom and cannot figure out why. Challenging jobs, until the daunting task of turning around a small college football team is thrust at him. He calls upon his sister to join him as a consultant. Are two Instinctual minds actually better than one?
Jon persuades a diverse group of exceptional people to take this roller coaster ride with him. Nothing eludes Jon … Except …
An alchemist of human personalities and unlikely alliances, Jon makes his living making a difference. As "The Fixer", Jon is a story of legacy, hope, redemption and change. Open the door to his world where high tech takes a country back road to victory !!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312660571

Book preview

The Fixer

The Fixer

Terry L. Harris

Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or author.

The Fixer

Copyright © 2015 by Terry L Harris

Lulu Publishing

All Rights Reserved

ISBN 978-1-312-66057-1

First Edition

Printed in the United States

www.tlharris.biz

Thanks to my parents, Ann and J.C., for instilling in me, the basic values and morals that I have carried into my adulthood. And thanks to my brother Steven for keeping me grounded.

Borrow from the best

Thanks to those individuals who have crossed my path either personally or from afar, whom unknowingly have helped give me the pieces to the puzzle of my life.

The Fixer

CHAPTER ONE

On a warm October evening in Dallas, a light fog creeps across an open field with a slight drizzle in the air. An oversized factory sits off in the distance. Darkness covers the building like a boy hiding under a blanket with a secret. On the fourth floor, a single faint light shines through the mystic fog. Soft sounds of the rhythmic rain patter the ground. The smell of the damp field lingers with the scent of pine trees seeping into the air. Secret meetings go on in the shadows of the night. In a city like Dallas, meetings are taking place all over, in diverse areas for numerous reasons, tonight is no different. Voices echo from the solely lit window.

Bill, give me three months and I will find the who and the what, that is the thorn in your side and take care of it for you, Jon says in his normal, calm reassuring voice.

Yea … but … I am still skeptical about all of this, Bill replies cautiously.

We have mutual friends and you know I have gotten positive results for them.

The tension builds in the air like smoke stuck in a chimney. Decisions have to be made, good or bad. What will the outcome be? Which side benefits the most? Who wants the problem taken care of more and at what cost?

I know Jon … I am familiar with you and your teams work and the results you achieve. But I don't think you can FIX my problem.

Bill just grumbles and says no more. He remains silent for a time as Jon continues trying to win over Bill.

Inside the silhouetted room two men sit opposite each other. Each attempts to size the other up like two women at a limited shoe sale. The men discuss the solution to the dilemma at hand. This is one Bill wishes to be uncovered and brought to light at once. Jon is the one person who can unearth a situation, dissect it, and then resolve the hidden troubles.

Bill's office is typical and non-typical of a CEO's office. A huge solid dark oak wood executive desk with intricate lace around it sits at one end of the sizeable office. A large reclining, leather chair rests behind it. On the desk rests a lamp on side, family photos on the other, a disarray of papers and folders and several coffee half-full mugs. A matching wood hutch hunkers behind the desk with a filing cabinet within as well as a book shelf containing an assortment of books. Countless pictures of the company’s beginnings line the cream-colored walls along with family photos. At the opposite end the room, a nine seat conference table is positioned in a grand style of the Knights of Round Table. Two massive 50" flat screen TV’s engorge the wall above the table. The center of the room is for entertaining guests, clients or … others.

A brown leather sofa makes its presence with two matching chair companions. The chairs face the sofa like two children sitting at their father’s feet listening to stories being spun. Like a proud mom, a wooden coffee table, stretches between them to buffer the tales. A wide selection of beverages can be enjoyed from the bar credenza hugging the wall behind the chairs. At times Bill partakes in a beverage to relax from the grueling events of a day.

Bill Santon has reached his mid-fifties and presently wears an unkempt suit. Bags under his eyes have grown from the worry and lack of sleep. A scotch rests in his hands as he sits uncomfortably opposite Jon like a boy waiting to see the principal. Bill hangs on to each word Jon utters. Santon industries manufactures global phones, a company he has dedicated himself to since its start up.

The new innovative business took the industry by storm, quickly overtaking mere cell phone companies. In recent years, like a fat greasy pig, his company has been slipping through his hands. Bill is at a loss for words or explanations as to where-when-how this downslide resulted. Meetings followed with friends who owned other corporations, with one name becoming consistent whom Bill had to contact.

If a company has to call in Jon Bessner, it is the last resort as a savior and redemption for the company. Jon, with his specialized team, come in like Navy Seals, silently, infiltrating and go about business undetected. Jon is a person who has surpassed the title of business consultant but is known as a specialist-titan-guru that penetrates to the root of a company’s failures. In the small circles that dare whisper his name, he is simply known as ‘The Fixer’. He penetrates the company for months, researches-analyzes with unorthodox and sometimes controversial methods.

This titan utilizes the unique talents of his ‘Team’ of Amanda and Peter, who go unnoticed behind the scenes. Then slowly ‘BAM’ he is advising-offering- stating solutions and suggestions of what must happen to benefit from change. Like clockwork within the time schedule given, a company evolves from the darkness that draped it like Harry Potter coming from beneath the invisible cloak. Rare expert, Jon Bessner brings them into the light, fixing their roller-coaster-to-hell situation.

Distinguished at fifty with salt-pepper hair, Jon keeps both his mind and his body sharp, through both physical and mental workouts. Knowledge –confidence – assuredness, are all his companions. The fact that ‘Knowledge is power’ enables Jon’s credibility. With continuous research, relentless note taking, incorporating intelligent and loyal individuals on his teams, this creates the essential element that is Jon Bessner.

Just as an athlete studies a game film, Jon researches and analyzes his opponent, the opposition or whomever he might have contact with before he even encounters them.  He speaks in a soft reassuring manner, a presence observed from Bob, Bill Clinton and others. Engaging in eye contact is a given for Jon. He is a master in the art of speaking, speeches and speaking to people. A skill he cultured from a young age into adulthood.

Jon Bessner believes if it works for others, it can be adapted, used or borrowed. People do it in their everyday lives. Jon hones it in. He ‘borrows from the best’.

Bob trained him in the art of the various hand-handshakes. At different points, Jon incorporates these diverse styles with people he encounters. Reading and visualizing the individual prior to contact helps determine the type of greeting. This initial step becomes important as to how the various relationships develop.

The realization of how people should be treated and how they react to you continues with Jon’s idea of ‘dress to impress’. Jon Bessner benefits from wearing his $2000 fitted suits and pressed clothes. This Simon Cowell / George Clooney life style he maintains is reflected in his attitude toward his life, his home and lifestyle.

Jon determines situations by rooting them out and resolves them in unconventional methods like a castaway on an island trying to figure diverse ways to get off.

To assist Jon in his projects, a couple of specialized individuals, Amanda and Peter, make up his team. His past employers comprise a diverse group of people as well. All know of his abilities – skills - unorthodox ways and his expertise of handling matters in a sensitive and discrete manner. All this adds up to reasons why his benefactors seek Jon and his team out. Jon Bessner can FIX their problems.

Regally poised on the couch, Jon sits with one ankle perched upon the other leg with his black Gucci shoe extending upward. The front of his black Armani double-breasted jacket relaxes unbuttoned. The vermillion tie extends down the front of the crisp fuchsia shirt, centered and pristine behind the vest. A scotch rests comfortably in one hand, his other arm stretched out atop the sofa.

Jon understands the importance of knowing how to take control of situations and people. Like a school boy cheating on a test, Jon knows the answers before they can ask. By not giving those an opportunity to inquire with questions, it quickens the decision making process for the ones requesting his services. A trust ensues from his employers, knowing Jon has a handle of the circumstances prior to investigating fully.

Bill hasn’t been thinking straight for some time now. He’s letting things slip through his grasp. It is time to bring him around, Jon rolls through his mind.

Don't let this get out of hand. Let me handle it. You've called me in to talk about a major problem you need taken care of. You know my reputation.

Yes Jon, I know your reputation, but I have built this company myself and I just can't hand over control of my company to you.

No … you’re not. BUT, you are going to give me access to all areas of it, so I can evaluate, find the problems, and offer you solutions. My team and I will need to talk to employees, clients, advertisers and even your executive team … And you and I will be the only ones that know this is going on. Not even your vice-presidents should know.

You are asking a lot of me … a lot of trust … I have seen what you have done for other companies and know that they have benefited from your expertise, Bill reluctantly voices.

As a master speaker, Jon educated himself at a young age to read and visualize people’s faces, actions and body language then was trained to control and fine-tune his talent. In adulthood, Jon provides the opportunity for others to take his seminars on the subjects of reading body language and facial expressions.

Visualization - is the art of breaking down a person or situation … piece by piece in a thought process. It examines the person, their life, the person’s face and body, dress, mannerisms and their surroundings. A useful tool portraying the mind’s methods of reasoning and deduction.

Observing Bill, Jon does a visualization. Researching Bill, this company is his baby and he built it from scratch. Eyes keep looking toward his drink. Unsure of letting anyone in. Both hands are around the drink and holding it in his lap. His finger is tapping on the glass. A hard decision for him to make … to let some outsider give him advice on his company. Posture is not relaxed, more slouching verses sitting upright in the chair. Dark bags under his eyes and clothes not pressed indicate he has mulled this step over for a while without concern about himself.

Leaning toward Bill, Jon sets his glass on the table. His elbows rest on his knees as he speaks soft and low.

Bill, it is a lot to ask … but your company has been in the red for some time now. You are in the news with talks of mergers, bailouts and possible layoffs. If you don't let me help you with this … one of your competitors will be giving me a call next week.

Bill unsure of what to say is quiet for several moments. Things are swimming in his head about his company. His eyes are distant as one finger circles the rim of his glass. What went wrong and when? Am I going to lose everything? Can this guy really root out the problem and fix it? So many friends recommend him. I have to gain control of my company and if Jon can help me do it, well then … Alright … How does this work?

Jon leans back against the sofa with a small smile in the corner of his mouth.

As we discussed before I arrived … my initial payment is 750 up front, plus all my expenses and, my team’s fees. After the three months of giving you solutions and a chance to improve, if your stock starts to rise … my bonus of 750 plus a percentage in stock kicks in.

$750,000 and a $750,000 bonus … that just seems to be a lot?

Tilting his head with a small grin, I believe your bonus and the bonuses of your vice presidents are in the millions and you are in the red.

Bill’s mind is swirling in costs and not the future and its profit. It has been a while since he’s made his own decisions about his company. Jon, puts his hand on Bill's forearm to reassure him, looking into Bill’s eyes.

Once you are in the black and you are ahead of your competitors that won't seem like much.

Glassy-eyed, Bill mulls it over. 1000’s of loyal people out of work. The company and reputation I built over the years … gone in a flash. Nothing left to show for all those years invested. It seems steep now, but losing my company would be an even bigger price to pay.

With a half smirk Bill says, OK let’s do this Jon.

Sometimes it takes a bit, but once I get them to look at the big picture … Bill made the right decision.

Bill lifts his glass of scotch and Jon picks his up from the table, they raise their glasses and toast to the arrangement.

Bill, now this is what I want you to do first …

Jon retrieves a notebook he has brought with him to write down items of information as they chat. He lays out a starting game plan of what he wants Bill to do. From Jon’s dialogue and unusual pep talk style, Bill is eager to listen more intently. Both men discuss various ideas. Like teenage girls having a slumber party, voices press on through the night, continuing their private meeting behind closed doors. Light rain slightly slides down the windows as if trying to eavesdrop in on the secret meeting.

Jon's house rests on the glistening waters and regal shores close to Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Both his home and office reflect his attitude and style, it is his personal think tank. This is the place where his thoughts come alive, notebooks get filled, phone calls are made and problems are resolved. His office is a sizeable room with a bay window that offers a magnificent view overlooking the beach and ocean. Beside the window, double doors reside opening up on to the deck and patio area. All rooms that face the ocean have similar doors including his office, bedroom and living room.

A beautiful executive red mahogany desk, with two computer monitors atop takes up the space in the middle of the room. Jon keeps his desk well organized. He believes comfort makes it easier to think, thus an oversized leather chair exists behind the desk. Beside the keyboard, a notebook and ashtray lay nearby. Stretching across the wall, opposite the desk are three 32" flat screen-wall mounted TV's. One is on stocks, one tuned to news, and another rests on a different news channel.

A treadmill is located on the left side of the desk closest to the windows, to exercise his body and his mind when it is in thinking mode. In easy access to reach, a matching wood covered mini frig is positioned on the right side of the desk. The walls are enhanced with photos of Jon and other people, business types, athletes, and a president. Sue holds a basketball and national trophy in one photo. Several photos of Jon and Sue plus one group photo of Jon, Bob and Ann, as well as Sue and Linda and their two teenage daughters sit on the desk.

Sitting behind his desk, an unlit cigar rests in the ashtray poised like a soldier standing guard, awaiting instructions. Wooden matches await their orders alongside the ashtray. Dressed in his customary pressed slacks and starched shirt and tie, Jon is forever ready for business. As Jon discusses in his seminars, a phone earpiece is an essential piece of equipment / tool or whatever one wants to refer to it as. It frees the hands to be able to multi-task. Like the old American Express logo, Jon never leaves home without it. Wherever he goes, it is attached to his ear. Jon proceeds to tap the side of it giving a command then waits for an answer.

"Amanda.’’ The phone starts to dial.

‘‘Good Morning Beautiful. How's my favorite girl this morning? "

Amanda answers with that familiar smile in her voice that Jon is used to.

Oh Jon, I get to hear your voice the first thing in the morning. How can it not be starting wonderfully?

Amanda is in her apartment, has been working with Jon over twelve years. She is Jon’s girl Friday of information and research. In her late thirties, she is bubbly, pretty with a gorgeous figure. She is a computer-techno whiz from an early age, almost before she was out of diapers, as she tells it.

Her office is a similar setup to Jon's, a large desk but with three monitors and an assortment of other computer accessories only she is familiar with. She too has two wall mounted, flat screen TV's, one on the news and the other is tuned to Nick at Night’s Dick Van Dyke show. She gets on certain kicks of her favorite programs and characters. At present she is intrigued with Laura Petrie’s character and her constant use of the line Oh Rob. So Amanda, as well ‘borrows from the best’ and has taken to using it to Jon. The sound on the news is set to mute and the words scrolling, with her TV show tuned to a low-volume.

Perched behind her desk, her headset on, dressed in a pink t-shirt, black thong and her favorite pink fussy slippers. A warm cup of coffee rests in her hand, with steam rising from the brim like fog drifting in across a bay.

Well are you ready for a new assignment then?

Who are you pulling out of the fire this time? She asks with a gleam in her voice.

You may have seen them on the news lately, Santon Industries.

Amanda starts to laugh as the news channel has a blurb about them on now.

Oh Jon, Bill Santon and the makers of the global phones, with the media talking of buy outs, bailouts or mergers, she continues to giggle. You do like challenges.

Jon chuckles as he stares at his TV's with the same bit of news rolling at present.

Oh there isn't going to be any bailouts or mergers. We have three months. You will have complete access to their systems. I need all the usual - background checks - top to bottom, employee and public polls ...

Amanda has worked with Jon long enough to know what he is about to say next and the types of information she will have to dig up. She is able to anticipate some of the items … research that is routine stuff and other information that only she can did up. She has the skills, knowledge and means to obtain anything Jon requests and more. Amanda jumps in before he continues.

Oh Jon, you do like to keep a girl busy. I am guessing financial reports, client and advertiser lists etc.?

Jon has a hint of laughter in his voice. What would I do without this gem? They have worked together so long and do it so well, they come off finishing each other’s sentences before the other can do so. This is definitely a special and unique relationship.

You are my queen of techno. I will also need you to go undercover again.

Amanda can always amuse herself, especially where Jon is concerned. She starts to giggle some more. I have been there before and given the chance, would again!

Oh Jon I will always go under cover with you.

Jon has his own smirk. He knows too well not to engage or encourage her from the past they shared.

Not sure Charlotte would be in for that, he speaks with a smile. I will set you up as a company investigator and later as a potential client. I will send all the information over to you.

Me, Jon and Charlotte? … Humph? … If she was game … I would be too. She snickers to herself.

OK Sweetie. I will start checking their history.

Alright beautiful … later

Bye

Jon stares intently at the stock market TV, his eyes glued on Santon stock. Amanda was correct, I sure do love challenges and as always each one has its own unique problems to fix. He pulls his notebook over, opens it and starts writing.

Jon starts to take down extensive notes. Humph, I need to get a hold of Peter and get him started on footage, surveillance, new commercials and all the rest. He taps his earpiece and requests a name.

Peter, pausing and waiting to hear a click on the other end of the line.

Hello Peter … Jon here.

Hey Jon, what is the gig this time?

Jon proceeds a little more serious with Peter

Santon, I am going to need all footage from the last few years pertaining to them and their competition.

Peter and Jon have been teamed up for about the same amount of time as he has with Amanda. Both Amanda and Peter have learned so much from Jon, just as Jon has learned from them and depends on them. Thus all three work so well together. Like a puzzle … each has their part and position so they can fit together to complete the big picture. Some of Jon’s initial work, holding seminars in his earlier years, brought them together.

Learning from Jon’s expertise, Peter’s workspace is similar to Jon and Amanda. The video aspect for Peter has him switching things up a bit to benefit his needs and requirements. With three TV’s straddling the wall, Peter is normally aware of news items on various corporations or businesses before Jon calls. He too is abreast with Santon Industries.

Are you also going to need surveillance cameras within the building?

Jon is still making notes in his notebook as he has a conversation with Peter. Yes, and any ideas for damage control commercials, and new employee training videos would be great. And Peter, we go undercover next week making a fake documentary.

I am on it. I will send over info as I get it, so you can start working your voodoo on it.

Peter chuckles No matter what information either Amanda or myself sends Jon, he is a wizard at putting it all together to come up with the right game plan.

Thanks Peter.

Jon continues to log thoughts down in his note book and contemplates ideas. The soldier that had been waiting silently in the ashtray is now picked up. Jon places the cigar between his fingers as he picks up the matches, rotates the cigar while lighting then begins to puff on it. As Jon smokes, he glances up at a display case hanging on the wall, containing the Bob Seger ‘Bullet’ record album.

CHAPTER TWO

July 1976

Here I sit in yet another social workers office. Jon’s eyes work the small room, a process Jon has come accustomed to over the years. It is the usual small office with folders stacked on a small desk, with a chair for the counselor. On the opposite side three other chairs for the clients. The walls are bare, faces change, so there is no time to get personal in the office yet alone with the clients. Ms. Johnson is no different, it is yet another new face for Jon.

Jon has been in the system since he was three, when his parents up and left him. He holds no resentments, they weren’t parents since they left him. Records are lost over time, passed from one non-caring facility to another. Files don’t give a reason for the separation of Jon and his parents - killed -abandonment - prison, nothing at all. What’s worse, the records do not even contain Jon’s real last name. He is accustom to using the last name of the foster parents he lives with or of the family, he liked better. For now he is - Jon Smith.

She flutters around the room not able to find a thing or doesn’t even know where things are. She walked in a minute ago. I know she saw me sitting here but has yet to say a word. She appears to be in her thirties. No ring on her finger, so I guess not married. She must watch TV, she has the same hair style as everyone now, big puffy, parted, feathered back - brunette. She has a pretty face, sexy body, humph, nice ass. In those two inch heeled black boots … she must be about 5’5".  The short black mini skirt shows off her nice legs. The pink and purple pastel blouse highlights her boobs. She is not used to being in this job. Thumbing through folders, must be looking for mine. Oh, she just smiled as she picked one up. It must be mine.

I found your file, she says in a perky voice. She sits back on the front of the desk crossing her ankles.

Duh you think. Jon smiles trying not to let his elevator eyes show they are checking her out head to toe.

I am Ms. Johnson, I have been assigned as your social worker, not glancing once at Jon, thumbing through the few pages in his file. You are Jon, is that correct?

Yes ma’am. You could’ve looked at my file before I came in. But that’s the way it is, last minute, fly by the seat of their pants. Which family or person did I hear that from?

Ms. Johnson looks down at Jon, smiles and looks back at his file. I see you have been in the system most of your life, lived in numerous foster homes over the years. You are fifteen now, sixteen in February. And you have been in the state social home the last few months.

Yes ma’am, Jon pushes out a smile. Twelve years and all I have in my file is four or five sheets of paper? Wow where is all the information. I guess like the rest I got lost.

I have a couple that want to talk to you about being your foster parents. If everything works out maybe we can get you settled before the school year starts. She walks beside Jon placing her hand on his shoulder with a smile before walking out the door.

Jon smiles back without saying a word, watching her leave. School … ha ha. I have lost track how many I have been to. Strange thing is, in a year or two, I will be done with the system and foster parents. However… as he looks down at his hands in his lap, from talking to others who have been in and bounced around … compared to the stories of the homes and foster parents they have stayed with, I have been very lucky. None have mistreated me. And most, whether they know it or not, have actually taught me various lessons. When I did have to leave the homes it wasn’t for abuse, abandonment or that I did anything wrong . . . things . . . circumstances changed. But two more years and circumstance change because I want them to.

Ms. Johnson returns with an older couple following behind her. Jon stands up, something he was taught when he lived with a military family.

Jon, this is Bob and Ann Bessner, pointing to each person while she says their names. Bob extends