Trading Reality by Michael Ridpath

Author:Michael Ridpath [Ridpath, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: Thriller, Suspense
ISBN: 9780434003617
Google: V-3n0ttBXhkC
Amazon: B00FMX2YS6
Barnesnoble: B00FMX2YS6
Goodreads: 604697
Publisher: Heinemann
Published: 1996-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

16

The morning papers all carried something about the demonstration, but in most of them it was tucked away in the middle. They were careful about Doogie’s allegations. Like Reuters they talked about ‘unconfirmed reports’. There was a small article in the Financial Times. According to Susan there had been a clip on Scotland Today, the regional news programme. She said my confrontation with ‘that Doogie’ was quite dramatic. It seemed that within the company Doogie wasn’t remembered very favourably.

Rachel came into my office at about eleven.

‘You’re looking a lot better this morning,’ I said.

She smiled. ‘It’s amazing what twelve hours’ sleep can do. But did you see the papers?’

‘Yeah. It’s not good, is it? Still, it could have been worse. At least they couldn’t confirm the story.’

‘Ah ha. I wonder why Doogie didn’t show them the letter?’

‘You don’t believe that bit about the family wanting to remain anonymous, do you?’

‘No. That was crap.’

‘You know I saw him last night.’

‘Where?’

‘Outside Inch Lodge. With his dog. He said he would destroy FairSystems. He told me to go back to London.’

‘Why should you?’

‘He and his dog were quite persuasive.’

‘Ooh.’ Rachel winced. ‘Did you tell the police?’

‘He warned me not to, but I did. I saw Sergeant Cochrane this morning. They’ll give Doogie a hard time over it. But there weren’t any witnesses, so they can’t actually prosecute him. And according to Cochrane, Doogie seems actually to enjoy being questioned by the police. The harassment gives him some sort of legitimacy as a true revolutionary. Apparently, he’s an expert on his rights. And his dog’s.’

‘Are you going to take any notice of him?’

‘No,’ I smiled. ‘I don’t like being threatened.’

‘Good. But be careful. You never know what Doogie will do.’

‘I will be, don’t worry.’

Rachel turned to leave. Her way was blocked by Susan. ‘Carl Jenson’s here again. He wants to see you.’

‘Jenson?’ I looked at Rachel. She shrugged. ‘OK, send him up. Can you stay for this, Rachel?’

Within a minute, Jenson had rushed into my office.

‘Hey, Mark. Rachel. How’re you doing?’

I gestured to a chair, but he ignored me. ‘I like that,’ he said, pointing to the electronic window. ‘I see the sun moves across the sky depending on the time of day. But does the day shorten in winter?’

I had no idea.

‘No,’ said Rachel. ‘It’s May, all the year round.’

Jenson nodded to himself. ‘Cool. I gotta get one of those.’

He took a seat, and leaned forward. ‘I’m worried about your company, Mark.’ Straight to the point.

‘Oh yes?’

‘Yeah. You’re shortly going to be a key supplier for us. And we need to know you’re going to be around for the next couple of years. Are you?’

There it was, the question that had been dogging me since Richard’s death, asked baldly.

‘Well, I have been reviewing the figures with Willie Duncan, our finance director, this morning, and – ’

‘I don’t want horseshit,’ barked Jenson. ‘I want to know. Will FairSystems still be here in two years’ time?’

‘I think so.’ Despite myself, my voice cracked.

His eyes bored into me.

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