On Sunday night, and despite the most energetic sex she and Rick had enjoyed in years, sleep eluded Hayley. She tossed and turned, flip-flopped this way at that. One minute she was shivering, the next she felt clammy and sweaty. Even her usual trick of sticking one leg out from under the covers didn’t offer any relief. Neither did counting sheep, or the darts she wanted to throw at Charles.
In a few hours he and the other partners would give her a good grilling. If any of them had still remained on her side until now, losing the Berger deal would have definitively swayed them so far the other way they were practically on the other side of the galaxy.
Her mind went over the details of the offer again and again. She’d structured it so precisely, tailored it exactly to fit Thorsten Berger’s wishes. Was it the rates? Had she miscalculated the amount of work involved? No, she’d triple checked. She wanted to call Thorsten, but Charles would kill her if he found out.
If they fire me, maybe I’ll call Boots Borrello. He and Michael Reed might give me a job.
Hayley chuckled despite herself. Then stopped immediately, as if a switch had been thrown. Something small, something tiny, stuffed at the very back of her mind had niggled at her brain since she’d met Carmine and Michael. She’d tried to crystallise the thought to formulate an idea, but it had escaped her. Until that very moment.
What was it Michael said as we left the prison?
She forced her memory to recall the details of the conversation.
‘Did I tell you he knew you used to work for Charles Simpson? God only knows how he found out about our, ahem, arrangement with them.’
Until now things had been too manic and scrambled for her to remember the comment. Now she thought about the other deals that had fallen apart, and how Charles had always been the one whom the client had informed they’d chosen another law firm. It wasn’t unusual. Charles was the corporate lawyer and a partner, she and Tony Senior Associates. He masqueraded as the one putting the deal together, said he was giving them the responsibility of acquiring clients, and yet …
She got out of bed, pulled on her dressing gown and crept downstairs to the kitchen. It was almost five in the morning, still dark outside, a couple of hours before Rick and the kids would stir. Hayley switched on the kettle and pulled out her phone. She pulled up Thorsten Berger’s details and carefully worded an email.
Dear Thorsten,
I regret that we weren’t able to secure you as our client, but hope to have the opportunity of working with you in the future. Would you be open to discussing how we could have handled things differently? Rest assured any information you share will remain confidential.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest regards,
Hayley Cooper
Her finger hovered over the Send button for a few seconds. Disobeying Charles’ instructions meant providing him with more ammo to shoot her down with. Although at this point what difference would it make? She took a deep breath and sent the email off through cyberspace.
It was too early for her to start getting ready so she sat down at the kitchen table with her cup of tea, enjoying the moment of early morning peace. It didn’t last long. Her phone beeped, indicating new email. She snatched it up and read.
Dear Hayley,
I see that you’re up early. I’m in Germany on a family vacation although it would seem this vacation won’t allow many occasions for sleeping in.
I’m glad to hear from you. I seem to have inadvertently deleted the details Charles sent last week. I realise all communications should go through him but perhaps you can help me? I can’t imagine it will cause any problems. I can speak now, if that’s acceptable?
Best,
Thorsten Berger
Hayley didn’t need to be asked twice.
*
It was ninety minutes later when she’d finished telling Rick her plan. He smiled and pulled her towards him. ‘We’ll get through this, sweetheart,’ he said and kissed her. ‘You and me. Together. Now go kick some ass.’
And for the first time in years, Hayley knew he was right. They were going to get through it. Yes, issues had to be resolved, things needed to be said and done. But the fact that they were both willing to pick up a shovel and start tackling the mountain of crap that separated them gave Hayley something she hadn’t had in a long time. Hope.
When she got to the office she went straight to the boardroom to set up everything she needed. It didn’t take too long. Satisfied, she retreated to the bathroom and retouched her already immaculate make-up. She’d chosen her favourite black suit with the diamanté circle belt, and had paired it with a pale blue shirt. Her heels gave her some extra oomph and she’d put on the silver earrings, and a necklace with an emerald teardrop pendant Rick had given her one Christmas. She surveyed herself in the mirror and smoothed down her suit.
Stay calm. Be confident.
When she entered the boardroom at exactly five minutes to nine and saw Tony and the other partners, Steven, Bhupinder and Max, she repeated Rick’s words.
Kick some arse. We’ll get through this. Kick some arse. We’ll get through this.
The mantra soothed her nerves, even when she saw Charles talking to Steven in a corner. They both looked at her and gave her a curt nod. She glanced around the room. With the exception of Charles, Hayley had always liked the partners, but she was no longer sure how they felt about her. Their stiff backs and blank expressions weren’t giving anything away.
‘I’m glad you’re here,’ Tony said. ‘I think I may have underestimated the situation.’
Hayley sat down in the big leather chair. Charles stared at her as he took the seat opposite and Hayley knew he meant to intimidate her. She watched as he laid out his notepad and three pens, all perfectly aligned in a straight row. It reminded her of an executioner laying out his tools. He sat back in his chair, smoothed his floppy, dark hair to one side and adjusted his shiny grey tie before drumming his fingers on the table.
‘Good morning everybody,’ Bhupinder said as he stood up. ‘As you all know, we need to determine what went wrong with the Berger situation. This is the fourth potential client lost by this team.’ He looked at Hayley and Tony. ‘So no doubt you understand our need to comprehend what happened.’
Charles jumped in. ‘Let me, Bhupinder, if you don’t mind,’ he said, standing too and flashing his über-white teeth. ‘It’s evident and, indeed, unfortunate that Hayley didn’t have the necessary abilities to carry out such a significant deal.’
‘Hayley?’ Bhupinder. ‘What about Tony?’
‘Tony shares the responsibility, of course,’ Charles said. ‘But he wasn’t leading the acquisition of this particular client. That was Hayley’s job. She needs to be held accountable.’
‘But she reports to you,’ said Steven as he gestured to Charles, his gold monogramed ring moving around like a sparkler on New Year’s Eve. ‘Just like you insisted when Ronald died.’
‘Yes,’ answered Charles. He drummed his fingers together and nodded a couple of times. ‘But …’ he grimaced, ‘Hayley doesn’t collaborate or take direction well.’
‘I can’t believe you’re so calm,’ Tony whispered. ‘Aren’t you going to say something?’
Hayley shook her head and continued to stare at Charles.
Bhupinder sat down and adjusted his round, tortoiseshell glasses. ‘Hayley, how do you feel about this?’
Hayley exhaled. ‘I don’t think the assessment is fair, Bhupinder. I’m competent, as the history of my deals shows and –’
‘Except the last four deals that fell apart,’ Charles said, staring at her coolly.
‘In any case,’ she continued. ‘I collaborate very well with others. I –’
‘She likes to do things alone,’ Charles said loudly. ‘Hayley, you may not be aware of this but two of the other lost clients said that they didn’t like your approach. Or you, I’m afraid. I realise that must be difficult to hear.’ He looked around the room. ‘Gentlemen, losing so many clients in such a short time, well, it’s … troubling.’
‘Now wait a second,’ Tony said loudly. ‘You can’t blame –’
Hayley gave him a small kick under the table, then lifted up her palm slightly, uncovering her notepad where she’d scribbled NOT YET. TRUST ME.
Tony looked at her and frowned, but kept quiet.
‘So you don’t feel you have any responsibility in this, Charles?’ Bhupinder asked, clicking his pen and swivelling slightly in his chair.
‘I did everything I could,’ Charles answered solemnly, shaking his head and holding up his hands with his palms facing outwards. ‘Truly I did. I gave her the responsibility she said she wanted, that she said she could handle.’
And the Oscar for Bastard Boss of the Year goes to …
‘Hayley,’ Bhupinder said, turning towards her. ‘I agree with Charles. It is troubling. I’m sure you’ll agree that losing so many deals … It … well, I’m afraid it just won’t do.’
‘I agree,’ Hayley said as she got up this time. ‘And Charles’ assessment is interesting although I’m not sure it’s entirely accurate.’
‘Well, Hayley,’ Charles said. ‘I don’t think any of us would expect you to agree.’
She smiled. ‘In that case, would you indulge me in obtaining another opinion?’ Hayley turned to the big-screen TV and maximised Skype. ‘Good morning, Thorsten.’
Thorsten Berger’s face appeared on the TV and he waved. ‘Good morning Hayley. Hello, Tony, gentlemen … Charles.’
Charles seemed to slump down in his seat. ‘Hello Thorsten,’ he said with a tight smile. ‘It’s … uh … good to see you.’ He unbuttoned his suit jacket and put one foot on his knee, revealing a bright orange sock with the Tasmanian Devil on it.
‘Thanks for agreeing to this meeting, Thorsten,’ Hayley said. ‘I appreciate you taking the time during your holiday. You heard Charles’ comments. What do you think?’
Hayley held her breath as she watched Thorsten lean forwards, his neatly trimmed, white beard, green eyes and deep laughter lines almost taking over the entire screen.
‘You’re asking me if I think you’re responsible for this deal going, as you like to say in England, belly up?’
‘Yes,’ said Hayley, then looked at Charles, watching his every move.
‘Nein,’ Thorsten said. ‘I most certainly do not.’
Hayley exhaled and closed her eyes but opened them immediately when she heard Charles cough and clear his throat. She turned to the screen.
‘And why is that, Thorsten?’ Bhupinder asked.
Thorsten sat back in his chair and folded his hands together. ‘Because Hayley is the most talented solicitor I have ever worked with. She knows exactly what she’s doing and she’s extremely competent. She and Tony make a fabulous team.’ He leaned forwards again, looking directly into his webcam. ‘Any suggestion of the contrary is lächerlich, it’s ridiculous.’
Hayley stopped herself from punching the air and looked at Charles instead. His eyes bulged and he clenched and unclenched his jaw in one second intervals. He pushed his hands through his hair, leaving a strand sticking up, waving around like an antenna.
‘Well,’ Charles said. ‘I believe we can continue this meeting without disrupting Mr Berger’s holiday any further.’
‘Thank you for your concern, Charles,’ Thorsten said with a smile and waved a hand. ‘Truth be told my wife wants me to go out for a hike.’ He chuckled. ‘But this is more fun.’
‘Thorsten,’ Hayley said, dragging her attention away from Charles’ distorted face and back to the TV screen again. ‘Please tell us what happened last week.’
‘With pleasure. Charles asked to speak with me on Thursday.’ He made air quotation marks. ‘Off the record.’
‘Off the record?’ Tony said. ‘What –’
‘Wait,’ Hayley said as she patted his shoulder. ‘Just listen. Trust me.’
Thorsten continued. ‘Yes, Charles said I should work with another law firm. He said there was …’ he waved a hand around, ‘some kind of conflict of interest he couldn’t talk about. He said I should only speak to him because of it. And that you all agreed it would be better for a firm called Klingel’s to represent me.’
Max gasped. ‘Klingel’s? What on earth?’
Charles pulled on his tie. ‘No I didn’t, I –’
‘Yes, you did.’ Hayley silenced Charles with her icy tone. ‘We didn’t lose clients because of Tony or me.’ Hayley looked around the table at each of the partners in turn. ‘It would appear that Charles has been turning them away and blaming us.’
‘That’s preposterous,’ spluttered Charles, ‘The conflict, there –’
‘Be quiet,’ said Bhupinder and Charles shut his mouth again.
‘You see,’ Hayley said, her backbone solidifying with every syllable, ‘Charles has been funnelling our clients off to Klingel’s. I called another two of the companies we supposedly lost, and they said the same thing.’ She paused. ‘Charles told them there was a conflict of interest and pointed them in Klingel’s direction. I bet he’s taking commission in return too. It’s not like Charles to do something for nothing, is it?’
‘Now hang on a second,’ Charles said. ‘I –’
‘You bastard,’ Tony shouted, finally exploding. ‘What the hell were you doing?’
Hayley put her hand on his arm. ‘Don’t waste your energy,’ she said. ‘He’s not worth it.’
‘I don’t understand it, Charles,’ Max said, rubbing his beard. ‘Why on earth would you sabotage your father’s legacy? Losing our firm money? Why? Just to target Hayley and Tony?’
Charles turned to the TV. ‘Thorsten, ha, ha, I … I think this is all a misunderstanding. We can, uh, I, what I meant on Thursday was … I …’
‘Are you implying that my English isn’t good enough to have understood what conflict of interest means?’ Thorsten said. ‘You clearly said I should go to Klingel’s. And that you’d ensure I’d get a better deal from them for the inconvenience caused.’
‘Well, yes. I mean, we … the conflict. You see … I …’
‘Charles,’ said Max, ‘stop babbling nonsensical rubbish. It’s clear what you’ve been doing behind our backs.’ He sniffed and looked at his watch. ‘Time to put an end to it.’
Charles jumped up and jabbed his index finger in the air towards Hayley. ‘Why couldn’t you just quit?’ he fired off. ‘I could have replaced you like that.’ He snapped his fingers.
‘What?’ Hayley said, standing to face him. ‘You little –’
‘You always were his favourite. All those years he mentored you, gave you opportunities, sent you to Chicago. That should have been me.’
Hayley put both hands on the boardroom table as she leaned forwards. ‘I worked hard for years and you –’
‘Oh save it, Hayley,’ Charles said, holding up a hand. ‘I have plenty of friends I could slot right into your seat without anybody even noticing. But Tony kept convincing everyone that you’re something special. Yeah, I bet he thinks that alright, what with all the late nights you spend working together. And –’
‘Charles,’ Tony said loudly, ‘if I were you I’d stop right there or you’ll be needing an ambulance.’
‘You’re threatening me?’ Charles shouted. ‘Really, Tony?’
‘Nobody will be needing an ambulance,’ Max said, holding his hands up. ‘But, Charles, you will be needing a lawyer. Oh, wait a moment.’ He cocked his head to one side and smiled icily. ‘You’ve got one. Klingel’s, right?’
Hayley glanced around the room. Steven, Bhupinder and Tony’s eyes were all staring at Charles. The three blind mice could have cut the atmosphere with a rusty butter knife.
‘Well,’ said Steven, ‘I put forward that Charles’ partnership with the firm be suspended immediately, pending a thorough investigation. We’ll also address the partnership investment. Those who agree please say Aye.’
A chorus of ‘Aye’s’ resounded around the room. Hayley saw Thorsten Berger’s head bobbing up and down on the screen avidly, even though he technically didn’t have a vote.
‘You may leave now, Charles,’ said Max. ‘You’re … dismissed.’
‘I’m not going to make it easy for you,’ Charles hissed as he looked around the table. ‘Any of you.’ And then he disappeared through the doorway faster than you could say busted.
‘Are you alright, Hayley?’ Thorsten’s voice travelled around the meeting room, finally making it to the depths of her brain.
A broad smile spread across her face. ‘I’m fine, Thorsten. Really I am.’
‘Hayley,’ Tony said as he grabbed her by the shoulders, his smile as wide as hers. ‘How long have you known?’
‘About four hours,’ she said and burst out laughing.
‘What? Jesus,’ he shook his head. ‘I can’t believe he’s been picking off potential clients.’
‘Oh I can,’ Hayley said. ‘He wanted me out. You too, probably. One way or another. I reckon it was divide and conquer. Me first, then you. Or the other way around. I don’t think he cared much, to be honest.’
‘But …’ Tony scratched his head. ‘It’s his dad’s firm. And it wouldn’t be as successful without you.’
‘Or you,’ Hayley said.
‘Jealousy and envy can do very strange things to a person.’ Steven had made his way around the table and stood beside them. ‘But I’ve never heard of this level of manipulation within a company. It’s poison and I’m sorry. Truly.’
‘Thank you,’ Hayley said. ‘That means a lot.’
‘And what about the Berger deal then?’ Tony said, looking from Hayley to Thorsten on the TV screen and back again. ‘It’s …’
‘Perfectly safe, Tony,’ Thorsten called out, and he held both his thumbs up with his arms outstretched. ‘Hayley and I discussed everything this morning. With your help, we’ll sign it when I’m back in London next week.’
Hayley felt months of tension rush out of her body. It was over. It was all over. She covered her face with her hands.
‘Stay on the line, could you Thorsten?’ Max said. ‘I’d like you to witness what I’m about to suggest. Sit down everyone, please.’ He turned to everybody around the table as they took their seats and the room fell silent.
‘We’ve discussed this on various occasions and I think we should do so again immediately.’ He paused and looked at Hayley. ‘We all know Ronald wanted you to become a partner, but his untimely death and Charles’… antics have delayed things considerably. Gentlemen, it’s time to put that right. All in favour of Hayley becoming a partner in this law firm please say Aye.’
Everybody repeated Aye and banged their palms on the table. Thorsten cheered and shouted, ‘Bravo, Hayley.’
‘Bloody hell,’ Hayley said, although she assumed nobody could hear a word over the noise anyway. ‘I … I …’
‘And,’ Max said raising his hands, smiling and trying to control the mayhem, ‘We shall also extend a partnership offer to Tony. Something else we should have done a long time ago. Everybody in agreement, please say Aye.’
Steven, Bhupinder and Max leapt up and shook hands with Hayley and Tony. By the time they were done her arm ached and her cheeks hurt from the hundred thousand mega-watt smile plastered on her face.
‘You devil,’ Tony said when they finally had a few seconds to speak to each other. ‘Why didn’t you tell me everything as soon as I got here?’
‘What?’ Hayley said with a confused look. ‘And spoil the surprise?’
Then she flung her arms around him, no longer caring if her brand new partners, or Thorsten Berger, saw her cry like a baby.