“Well, for me, I would go to my favourite pub and have a beer and a burger, but seeing as Oskar is treating us, I’m sure you would prefer a more luxurious dinner.”

“What is your favourite pub?” asked Barfoot.

“The Country Rose,” replied Jack. “It is a pub that also has a family-type atmosphere. Mostly frequented by a more mature crowd.”

“No heavy metal.”

“None,” smiled Jack. “Judy runs the place and most of the waitresses who work behind the bar and serve drinks are really friendly and proficient. Debby, Laura, and Yvonne have worked there for years, so it really is kind of like a family.”

“A place where everybody knows your name.”

“Exactly.”

“How’s the food?”

“The food is pub fare, but it’s great. The Rose burger is one of the best burgers I’ve ever had.”

“Sounds like a place I would like. Let’s give it a try.”

“Are you sure? We could certainly go to any of the top restaurants of your choice.”

“The Country Rose is my choice.”

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the pub and a waitress came to take their order.

“Which one are you?” asked Barfoot. “Debby, Laura, or Yvonne?”

“I’m Debby,” she replied, giving Barfoot a curious look before glancing suspiciously at Jack.

“It’s okay,” chuckled Barfoot. “Jack has bragged about this place. Everything he told me is good.”

Jack ordered a local beer called Race Rocks and Barfoot said he would try it as well.

As they enjoyed their beer, Jack said, “You told me your main home was in Malaysia. Why there?”

“Partly location,” replied Barfoot. “Many of the companies I look to invest in are in Asia. It really is an expanding market over there.” He winked at Jack and added, “Not to mention, it is also cheaper and warmer.”

Jack smiled and said, “I have a suspicion that being cheaper is not a real concern for you.”

“Maybe not, but being warm is. The trouble of becoming an old fart is your blood thins. I like it hot.”

“You’re not that old.”

“You’re not that good of a liar,” chuckled Barfoot.

“How long have you known Oskar?” asked Jack.

Barfoot reflected a moment. “I’ve been in this business about thirty-five years. I think I first met Oskar about ten or twelve years ago. We are in much the same business.” Barfoot rubbed his chin as he gazed reflectively, then said, “Except he must be doing better than me. He is already talking about retirement and selling his company.”

“Retiring? He seems young for that,” replied Jack, not wanting to sound like he already knew.

“I think so, too. A guy needs something to do. Laying around on the beach is nice for a little while, but after that, I think if you don’t start using your brain, it will shrivel up like a raison.”

“Use it or lose it,” quipped Jack.

Barfoot gave Jack a sideways glance. “I probably shouldn’t have told you about his talk of retirement.”

“It’s okay,” said Jack. “Can’t see that it would affect anything by me knowing, but I’ll keep it to myself.”

“Why are you interested in joining his company? Is it strictly for the money?”

“I wouldn’t do it for free,” said Jack, “but I also like what the company represents.”

“And what does it represent?”

Murder incorporated comes to mind … Jack refrained from blurting out his thoughts. Instead he took a sip of beer and said, “I think it can best be summed up by quoting the Scottish economist and philosopher, Adam Smith.”

“The man who wrote The Wealth of Nations back in the 1700s?”

“Yes. I may be slightly off on his quote, but it went something like, ‘All for ourselves, and nothing for other people, seems, in every age of the world, to have been the vile maxim of the masters of mankind.’”

“I think your quote is accurate,” said Barfoot. “I’m impressed.”

“Ah, don’t be.” Jack chuckled. “I tried to memorize it last week, hoping I would get a chance to use it when Oskar interviewed me.”

Barfoot laughed. “Well, at least I know you’re honest.”

“Still, I think it’s a good one. As I understand it, his philosophy is that a good life is not only representative of the material goods you have, but also includes a combination of intellectual endeavour and high moral character. I think companies who pursue ethical investments have the potential to include all three.”

“I’m pleased that you would adhere to such a philosophy, but even if you have high morals and a good heart, making the right decision is not always easy.”

No kidding. Like letting a serial rapist off to catch a murderer …

“Let me give you an example,” continued Barfoot, “if a company in a third world has potential, but … say there is a minor problem, such as child labour, what would you do?”

“You consider child labour a mild problem?” replied Jack. “I would think that would be a huge problem. I would report it back to the companies who are thinking of investing and hope they don’t invest.”

Barfoot smiled and said, “I used to think that way myself, but if you look deeper, in some developing countries, if that child was not working in a factory, their only alternative would be prostitution. Which would you rather see a child in?”

Jack grimaced. “Tough choices.”

“My strategy is to promote change through dialogue with the company. Perhaps ensure that enough financial benefit is passed down from the executives to the person on the factory floor, so that their children do not need to work.”

“You could do that by talking with them?”

“Not quite. I would have a couple of investment companies slowly buy up enough shares so that we would have a powerful voice and be able to reflect the changes we want through shareholder resolutions and proxy voting.”

“Sounds sneaky, but I like what the outcome could represent,” replied Jack, raising his glass.

After they each took a sip of beer, Jack said, “The idea of buying up company shares to gain control is something I have discussed with Oskar, but I wasn’t thinking about doing that when you mentioned child labour. I automatically wanted to shun such a company.”

“But you do understand what I mean?”

“Definitely. You’ve helped me see what I call the big picture. You would be providing fair trade to people who would otherwise never get it.”

“Exactly,” smiled Barfoot, clinking his beer mug with Jack’s.

Jack took another sip of beer and put his mug down. “I can see why you are a valued client.”

“Actually, I may become more than a client,” said Barfoot. “Oskar has approached me to join his company and take it over completely when he retires.”

Oh, crap! You’re the second guy Oskar plans to kill before he retires… Jack felt a lump in his throat, but did his best to smile as if delighted.

“I haven’t decided yet,” continued Barfoot. “I should be retiring myself, but like I said, you need something to keep busy. Oskar talks of sitting on a beach under a palm tree, but that’s not for me.”

“If Oskar is retiring soon, I would expect he’ll be wanting an answer from you soon?” probed Jack.

“Yes, talking to him about it is the primary reason I came to Victoria.”

Jack tried to think of a reason, other than being murdered, as to why Barfoot shouldn’t join the company.

“You seem troubled?” asked Barfoot.

Jack shrugged and said, “With you having your own company, wouldn’t it be better if there was an apparent independence when it comes to buying up shares to gain control of a company?”

“You do have a point there,” conceded Barfoot. “If two companies discreetly work together to buy up shares, the collusion could work to an advantage for the AGM.”

“It would provide you with better leverage to direct the company in the right direction.”

“That it would.” Barfoot studied Jack for a moment and said, “You know, I am really impressed with you. I will definitely be passing on favourable comments to Oskar.”