Remember Tokyo by Nick Wilkshire

Author:Nick Wilkshire
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2018-09-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Charlie was reading an email on a change in consular policy when he saw an incoming message from the ambassador’s assistant. His heart raced when he realized Westwood was asking to be briefed on the property file. Either he had read the report that Charlie had sent out first thing this morning and had questions, or he hadn’t, and wanted a verbal update. He checked the clock on his computer and realized Westwood wanted to meet in fifteen minutes. Denault, who would normally be the go-between, was in Osaka for the day, so Charlie was on his own. He gathered his notes from the Miton meeting, which had gone pretty much as Charlie had expected and had focused on the broad strokes of an exchange of properties, with details to follow. He printed off a copy of the proposal, then headed upstairs for the meeting. After a brief wait in the secure zone reception area, he was waved in by the ambassador’s formidable assistant. Westwood was sitting at his desk, staring at something on his computer monitor, when Charlie took tentative steps into his office.

“Charlie, come on in,” Westwood said, coming out from behind his desk and motioning to the leather sofas arranged around a glass coffee table. Charlie took a seat at the end of one of the couches, while Westwood sat in a matching chair near him. Whereas Charlie sat ramrod straight, Westwood assumed a casual air, leaning back as though he were sitting in a Muskoka chair. “Thanks for agreeing to meet on short notice.” Charlie nodded, though he wasn’t sure he had the option of refusing the meeting. “I read your report on the property development file,” Westwood continued, tapping a file folder on the table in front of him. “You obviously know how to write a report,” he added, with a smile that made Charlie wonder whether he was giving him a compliment or a gentle dig. He soon realized it was the latter. “But I’m more interested in what you really think.”

“About the property file?”

“Yes. I thought it might be good to get your unfiltered view. I know Louis is very keen on the idea, but I wanted to know if it’s something we should be actively pursuing … objectively.”

Charlie nodded again. So Westwood had called the meeting knowing full well that Denault was out of town. His suspicion that Westwood was less obsessed with the project than Denault suddenly seemed confirmed. “Well, it’s a bit early to say for sure, but I think there are some challenges, mostly around the financials.”

“Really?” Westwood ran a finger over his top lip. “Louis seemed to think they were prepared to throw money at us, as well as build us a new residential complex for free.”

Charlie picked up the report. He had to tread very carefully here — Denault was his immediate supervisor and he wasn’t out to make him look bad, but after looking at the numbers it seemed pretty obvious that the developer was

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