In the Company of Ghosts by Stephen A Hunt

Author:Stephen A Hunt [Stephen A Hunt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chill Puppy Press
Published: 2011-10-08T13:00:00+00:00

‘I think at the core we both liked ideas more than people.’

‘That’s a very Silicon Valley weakness,’ said Agatha.

‘Perhaps it is at that. What else? Simon was more private than I am. Less social. He rarely went to parties, not even the firm’s own functions. A lot harder-nosed when it came to matters of business. We both expected a lot from our staff. There’s never been any room for the mediocre at ControlWerks. It has to be said that Simon was working far longer hours than I have been recently. I’ve been spending quality time with my wife and boys. It was a source of a small amount of tension between us, but we never properly argued over it. I always told Simon he should get married too. Bring someone into his life he could actually leave his legacy to.’

‘Having a family does anchor you,’ said Agatha, attempting to keep her voice neutral.

‘Anyone your brother fired recently?’ said Doyle. ‘The kind of Mister or Mrs Pissed-off who would know where the London building’s alarms and sensors are located?’

‘We always put our largest effort into hiring the best people at the start,’ said Werks. ‘The second greatest effort goes into retaining them. After that we offer our employees the rare chance to make a difference and innovate. For which they are exceptionally well remunerated.’

Gary Doyle pulled a face, sucking on a lemon as if the inspector had inadvertently tuned into Curtis Werks’ silky voice on a business channel.

Werks continued, nonplussed, ‘It’s expensive for the firm to lose people, bad for morale too. I insist on having the lowest staff turnover of every industry we operate in. So no, we haven’t fired anyone. There hasn’t been a redundancy in ControlWerks since its formation. A few staff have left over the years to do their own thing, almost all financed by our own seed fund. My ex-PA set up the Courtesans’ Mist lingerie line with our backing. She’s a millionaire now, for God’s sake. I’m struggling to find the motive here.’

‘Not a range of underwear that flatters me anymore, sadly,’ said Agatha. ‘Although I have seen them sold in M&S. Your family. They need to be protected immediately. If this murder is a matter of commercial leverage, they will be in grave danger.’

‘Already done,’ said Werks. ‘My main residence is outside New Canaan in Connecticut. I’ve paid PegasusEnForce to divert a small private army that was due to arrive in South America to train countries in the most effective way to interdict drug crops. They’re now gainfully employed scaring our neighbours. If it transpires their employment is not so gainful, I am going to be sorely tempted to send your branch of government the full bill.’

‘Lucky we’re not in the phonebook,’ said Doyle.

‘You can never be too cautious, Mister Werks,’ noted Agatha. She raised her umbrella. ‘One must always anticipate inclement conditions.’

‘So, straight out with it then. Who do you think might want your brother killed?’ asked Doyle.

‘Realistically, no one,’ said Werks. ‘How

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