Early next morning David strode into Jackson's office a wide grin on his face.
"Do you have my deeds?" he asked.
Jackson looked up from his desk.
"You will need to sign some papers first." said Jackson, reaching for a small stack of documents on his right. "You need to sign and date here… here… and here." He said carefully going through the pages.
David signed his name with a flourish each time.
"Is that all?" asked David.
"That is all." said Jackson.
David was surprised Jackson wasn't making this more complicated.
"Here," said Jackson handing over the deeds, "As promised, all of Erica Kane's hospital shares now signed over to your ownership."
David took the sheaf of papers from Jackson his grin still wide on his face.
"You know that was quite painless… "He quipped, happy to torment Jackson."...Well for me."
When he looked down at the documents in his hand however his face changed.
"Wait a moment what is this?" he asked. "I wanted all of Erica's shares."
"That's what you've got."
"But this is barely a quarter of what Erica purchased!"
"What Jane purchased you mean." corrected Jackson. "Yes you're right. Erica didn't feel she had the time to become a major shareholder in a hospital so she divided the majority of the shares between two charitable trusts."
"You tricked me!" cried David. "This was not the deal! This is not fair!"
"You want to talk about being fair? You were willing to put a woman's life at risk in order blackmail me for those shares! You are lucky to be getting anything at all!"
"Where are the rest of the shares?" demanded David.
"Erica divided them between the Myrtle Fargate Foundation and the Miranda Centre."
David's expression turned almost painful as he realised the implications.
"Ryan… Ryan Lavery has a controlling share in the hospital?"
"No, the Myrtle Fargate Foundation, and as I understand it Ryan and Kendal have asked Cara Castillo to act is the foundations representative on the board."
"Cara?"
"Yes and Griffin Castillo is representing the Miranda Centre. They are both reasonable doctors I sure will have no problem working with them."
David scowled.
"You tricked me."
Jackson laughed.
"You really thought I'd sign over half the hospital just like that? I remember what a mess you made of it the last time. Although I hate to admit it you are incredible doctor… incredible. But you were an awful administrator."
"You'd better be careful." said David. "For a moment that almost sounded like a compliment."
"Look you fulfilled your part of the bargain and now I have fulfilled mine. What happens next is up to you."
David looked at the handful of shares in his hand.
"No, I can work with this." said David his tone lighter. "A small slice of the pie is always better than nothing at all."
He then narrowed his eyes at Jackson.
"But the next time you need a favour, any favour... the answer will be a resounding no."
…