Daniel got the distinct feeling these two thoughts were not really disconnected at all. Chuck was putting his loyalty to the test.
‘Not really, sir, the crew are pretty discreet, although I did see she had the opportunity to talk to Claude and the other investors the other day, which I was not privy to.’
Chuck stiffened, almost imperceptibly, and for his next question he re-engaged the friendly tone he had had before. ‘You don’t need to worry about that. Claude and the others wouldn’t have had much to say …’ Chuck smiled at Daniel. ‘Unless she’s mentioned anything to you?’
‘No, sir,’ Daniel answered a little too quickly, and berated himself as he watched suspicion flash across Chuck’s face.
‘Right, well, as I’ve mentioned, it would be deeply … unfortunate if you weren’t being straight with me, Dan, and if Ore were to publish anything … unsubstantiated, it would be detrimental to her career as well. I have a few friends in the papers who think of me as a very good judge of character.’ The litany of threats was delivered with nonchalance, but Daniel understood the severity of them. If Ore published something Chuck didn’t like, she wouldn’t work again, and neither would he.
‘I understand, sir,’ Daniel said, finally looking up to meet Chuck’s intense gaze. For a moment they were locked in, neither wanting to back down. Eventually it was the ringing of Chuck’s phone that cracked the tension.
‘Let’s stay on course please, Captain – the only way is through!’ Chuck said before answering the phone and heading back the way he came. ‘Sandra, hi, talk to me …’
