‘Thanks, Margaret.’
She leaves the office, closing the door behind her, and I quickly scroll to Gregory’s number in my phone.
‘Gregory, what’s wrong?’
He sighs, whether in relief or exasperation, I’ve no idea. ‘I need you.’
His words, just like his text, pull on strings in my stomach.
Oh God,they’re going to charge him.
‘I’ve been given notice of an emergency Board meeting. Three of my directors are trying to get rid of me.’
My heart rate calms. ‘Okay.’ I try to shift my brain from the blind panic of Gregory being charged for murder and think about company law. ‘I’m guessing when you say directors, you don’t mean Williams and Lawrence?’
‘No. Nick Henshaw, Tim Marshall and Jean-Paul Gaville – they’re directors of a European-focussed subsidiary. It’s not big, mostly research and development for gaming software, but I won’t be pushed aside, Scarlett, not from any of my companies. I need you to fix this before I fly to Paris and fix it the wrong way.’
‘Gregory, calm down. Now’s not a good time for you to be losing your temper with people. Okay? Gregory, tell me you’ve heard me.’
‘Okay.’
‘Now, tell me the name of the company.’
‘Constant Sources.’
‘Suffix?’
‘Limited. It’s a private company.’
‘It’s incorporated in England?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good, that makes things a little easier.’
‘Scarlett, they know about Saturday.’
‘That’s why they want rid of you,’ I say, stating the obvious.
‘It’s their excuse. I acquired the company a couple of years ago. Retaining Nick, Tim and Jean-Paul was part of the deal. They’ve been looking for a way out for a long time, especially Nick. He used to have most control in the company and never really wanted the deal but the company was struggling before I acquired it.’
‘Are you at your office?’
‘Yes.’
‘Stay put and stay calm. I need to get some documents from Companies House then I’ll head straight to you.’
‘I’ll send Kenneth.’
‘Okay,’ I say, having no desire to challenge him. ‘You mentioned Paris; are all three directors based in France?’
‘Tim and Jean-Paul are in Paris. They’re flying in. Nick lives in London.’
‘I’ll be with you as soon as I can.’
Shit! Shit! Shit!The incessant headache that I thought I’d escaped today is working its way back with a vengeance. Dropping my head into my hands, I roll my fingers over my temples. I knew it was a matter of time until someone outside our circle found out buthowdid they?Shit!If more people find out, Gregory could be ruined, his companies could really suffer and there’ll be more than three directors calling for him to be out.Ican’t let him lose his companies. The truth can save him and I need to make him realise that.
‘Okay, Scarlett, pull yourself together.’ I tap my cheeks too hard. ‘He needs you.’
