QB1 by Pete Bowen Page B

issued his regrets about the
loss of a great athlete but has urged the public not to jump to any
conclusions until more of the facts are in.” Roger read through a
few more pages. “The head of Homeland Security stated that there
had been no indication of increased terrorist communication
regarding any type of plots against Americans. They have raised the
terror alert status to Orange.”
    “Thank God, we’re saved,” I said. Liz looked
over at me. “I’m sorry.”
    She laughed, “Don’t be. That’s funny.”
    We pulled up to a high rise on California
Street and got out at the front door and took the elevator up to
the 56th Floor. Mr. Rosenbloom was making a few bucks as an agent.
We were shown into his office. It was a large office with an
incredible view of the Bay. There was a bank of TV screens, all lit
with different channels on one wall. Nonstop coverage of the latest
“terror” incident. We were immediately shown in with introductions
all around. Rosenbloom knew of Roger and me. He hugged Liz and told
her how sorry he was for her loss. “This is a terrible thing for
you and everyone who knew him. He was an exceptional athlete but he
was also a tremendous guy. I got to know him as a man and I’m just
beside myself over this.” He started crying, Liz was crying and
Roger was crying. Rosenbloom composed himself wiping away tears and
passed around the tissue box.
    He drew himself back into the business mode.
“We should probably discuss Tony’s estate,” he said. He looked over
at me. “This information is private. I might suggest that Tom and
Roger leave us for this.”
    I stood up and said, “Oh sure.”
    “I’m comfortable with letting them stay,” Liz
said. “They’ve been helping me.”
    “If you’re comfortable Elizabeth, I’m
comfortable.” I sat back down. “Have you retained an attorney to
represent you?” he asked.
    “No, I haven’t. I’m not sure who Tony used,”
she said.
    “Well, he used us,” said Rosenbloom, “Our
staff attorneys. We’re a full service agency. We even pay your
bills.”
    “Yes, Tony told me that,” she said. “So, is
there any money left?”
    “You really don’t know, do you Liz?” said
Rosenbloom.
    “I don’t. Tony told me about some endorsement
deals but I don’t know the specifics.”
    Rosenbloom sat back in his chair and looked
at Liz. “And you don’t know anything about his will?”
    Liz shrugged her shoulders, “I have a credit
card that always works and I don’t spend much. I’ve got some money
I saved from when I was working on cruises. We didn’t talk about
money very much. I just knew he was unhappy about his contract. I’m
pretty much into my own thing in the music business, for what it’s
worth.”
    “Liz, Tony signed a contract in March with
Nike for $27 million dollars. That contract is still in effect and
I don’t see them canceling it. There are also a couple of other
endorsement deals that were already completed that total over $7
million. His last six months have been very lucrative. We’ve
invested all that for him. He also had an insurance policy that
will pay $5 million plus the mortgage on the house.” The room
became silent as Rosenbloom looked at her. She looked stunned.
Roger’s mouth was open and his eyes wide. Rosenbloom continued, “My
job is to protect our clients and maximize income. And Elizabeth,
you’re sole beneficiary. The total estate is probably in the area
of $40 million before taxes.”
    Liz shook her head and said, “Are you
kidding? I thought we were screwed unless he got a new contract and
he said he was going to hold out till he got one. I thought it was
going to be Hamburger Helper without the hamburger.”
    Rosenbloom said, “The contract is a whole
different story than endorsements. Let me tell you about what was
going on with his contract. Tony had completed his original
contract of 3 years at $550,000. He wasn’t even drafted, that’s the
money you make in his position as third