False Name by Veronica Heley

Author:Veronica Heley [Heley, Veronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2023-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Sunday, early afternoon

Leon bestowed a warm smile on Colin. It reminded Bea of the smile on the face of a tiger. Leon wouldn’t take pity on a friendless but talented man if he could absorb him into his organization on suitable terms – terms, that is, that favoured Leon.

‘Well, Colin. I’ve read Bea’s report on you. You’ve got yourself into an interesting situation, haven’t you? Stateless, homeless, friendless. All you have left is your talent for dealing with figures. I suppose that I might occasionally have a post for someone like you. I’m due in Geneva today in advance of an AGM tomorrow. I’m unhappy about the accounts from one of my subsidiaries. Suppose you have a look at the figures and tell me what you think?’

‘Oh yes!’ That was Bernice, pink with excitement.

Colin’s mouth twitched. ‘Thank you for your kind words, but you must understand that I am already under contract. With regret, I can’t undertake any work for you unless directed to do so by my firm.’

‘Come, now. They must have accepted that you’ve left them by now. How long have you been missing? Nearly a month? They’ll have cleared your desk and appointed someone else to do your work. They can’t be expecting you back, and you can’t get another job without showing your credentials. However, as a favour to Bernice, I might be persuaded to give you the occasional short-term contract. What do you say to that?’

‘I’m flattered, but the answer’s the same.’

Leon stared at Colin. ‘Didn’t you hear me offer you a glowing future with Holland International? What’s the matter with you, boy?’

‘A disinclination to be indebted to anyone. I know, I know! Most annoying. Unrealistic. I apologize.’

Leon’s lips thinned. ‘I’m not accustomed to having my generosity thrown back in my face. Very well, if it’s down to money … If I offer you a flat fee, will you look at the figures for a company that is causing me some concern?’

Colin thought about it. ‘You already know what you are going to do. You wouldn’t go to a meeting unprepared.’

Leon was bleak. ‘Are you going to read my palm and foretell the future?’

‘I have followed the fortunes of Holland International with interest. Naturally. In our firm, we meet regularly to discuss market trends, who’s on the up and who’s on the down. To run such a complex organization as yours requires a strong lead from above and the delegation of power to trustworthy men and women. And that is what you give.’

‘And …?’

‘I couldn’t possibly say.’

‘What!’

Colin spread his hands. ‘If you have a weakness, it is that you’re not constantly watching those people whom you’ve put in positions of trust.’

Leon half closed his eyes. ‘In other words, you think I’ve allowed myself to become surrounded by yes-men?’

Colin bowed his head.

Leon’s lips compressed. He stood up and swung around on Bernice. ‘Are you ready to leave? Be down in ten minutes, and I’ll drop you at the station before I go on to the airport.’

‘No!’ Tears of rage and frustration stood out in Bernice’s eyes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.