Executive Affair (27 page)

He's going to call me again. Would he go to all this trouble if he was guilty?

‘Bye,' she said, needing to get off the phone so she could think.

‘Goodnight … and Claire?'

‘What?'

‘I miss you.'

Robert felt like an outsider in the office. His relationship with Donald would never be quite the same. They were on speaking terms but the question mark hanging over Robert's position seemed to get bigger with each passing day. All of his colleagues were absorbed with their families, too settled to break routine by going for a drink after work. He had been living in the hotel now for three days and felt starved of social conversation. He was only too willing when Wayne suggested they go for a beer.

Wayne cut right to the chase. ‘What the hell is happening? Why did you come back and why is Donald going around with a face like thunder?'

‘It's a long and ugly story … It all started with a girl called Claire –'

Wayne guffawed. ‘I might have known that your libido had something to do with it.'

Robert didn't appreciate his mirth. ‘You're wrong. Claire's
different. I think this might be the real thing – despite the fact she's got me into a helluva lot of trouble.'

‘Tell me.'

‘Somehow or other I'm a director of a company to which Amtech Australia has made a number of suspect payments. I think I've been set up somewhere along the line but can't figure out where.'

Wayne was immediately alert, his earlier humour forgotten. ‘What company?'

‘I can't tell you, Donald would have a seizure if I did. He's paranoid about the scandal getting out. He's not going to stop me though – I'm going to get to the bottom of this if it kills me.' Robert finished his beer and beckoned the barman. ‘Want another?' he asked Wayne, knowing he wouldn't.

Wayne shook his head. He seemed ill at ease, uncomfortable with the bar or uncomfortable with Robert. Maybe both. Robert realised that Wayne had changed. He wasn't sure when it had happened but they had little to talk about these days. Wayne didn't seem to notice the frequent silences; his thoughts were consumed by something else.

‘Has Cherie ever heard Julia say anything unusual about Amtech?' Robert asked as he slid his wallet back into his breast pocket.

Wayne didn't need to think before answering. ‘Julia blames all your marital problems on the company. In fact, she's often said to Cherie that she wished you would leave.'

‘That's interesting to know.'

Their conversation died again. Wayne was frowning, his body tense as he sat next to Robert. Robert couldn't be bothered to make any further effort to distract him from whatever was on his mind.

Wayne left shortly afterwards, and Robert had one more beer while he reflected on their conversation about Julia.

Julia wants me to leave
…
She's jealous of Amtech
…
Is that enough motive to set me up?

He concluded that it didn't stack up. It was a weak motive that would need an elaborate plan to ensure he was found out and fired from the company.

Robert caught a taxi back to the house. It took him a few hours to pack his clothes and possessions. He wouldn't be coming back; he intended never to set foot in the house again. On his way out, he sorted through the mail and took the envelopes that were addressed to him.

He didn't like being back in San Jose. It was stale next to the brightness of Sydney. He had an image in his mind of the way the sun glanced off the deep blue waters of Sydney harbour. It was constantly on his mind, as was Claire's face. Her eyes, the same colour as the harbour, her smile. His comment to Wayne about their relationship being the ‘real thing' had been spontaneous but true. A few times he had attempted to test the authenticity of his feelings by trying to recall how it had been early on with Dianne and Julia. It didn't work: what he felt for Claire was incomparable. He loved her, he admired her. It hurt to be so far away from her. He decided to call her when he got back to the hotel.

‘I've given you time to think … are you going to help me?' He hadn't intended to be so abrupt.

‘I'm very confused, Robert.' She sounded vulnerable.

‘I wish I could give you the answers, Claire, but I know as little as you, for now at least.' There was a pause and he waited for her, knowing there was something she was trying to say.

‘Why did you tell me that DC Solutions was a US company
when we were in Melbourne?'

‘The name of the company was familiar to me. When I got back here I checked it with our Payables department. It seems I was mistaken. There are quite a few companies with similar names, which is possibly what put me on the wrong track.' He allowed her a few moments to think; there was no rush.

‘So, if it's not you, Robert, then who is behind all this?'

‘Now we're on the same page, Claire. If you had to give a name, who would it be?'

‘Frank Williams,' she said without hesitation.

‘Ditto. Now I know I didn't consent to be director of any company while I was in Australia, which must mean I signed the paperwork in the US, before I left. And ARS is a US company, right?'

‘Yes.'

‘So what does that mean, Claire?' He was testing the reliability of his own logic by seeing if she would arrive at the same conclusion.

‘It means that Frank isn't the only one involved.'

‘Right again. That's why I love you – you're so bright.'

Claire was sure that he didn't literally mean that he loved her but she couldn't stop the smile that came to her face.

‘Who would help him, Robert? You know the people in San Jose. I don't.'

‘I've been playing with two thoughts … Julia or Donald Skates … but I now think they're both unlikely.'

‘Why?'

‘I think Julia may have a motive – to get me fired from Amtech which she sees as the root of all our problems … But nothing else adds up.' His words were slow coming out, his concentration deep as he tried to solve the puzzle.

‘What about Donald? You can't be seriously thinking it's him?'

‘I'm not. He was very quick to pay you off but I think it was just an overreaction. I've told you before how sensitive he is about bad press.'

‘So where to from here?' she asked, her head beginning to spin.

‘I've been thinking about the next step. Frank must have communicated with his accomplice. There may be something in his email, a message to someone he would not normally have contact with.'

‘Can't you ask the IT department to check?'

‘I could but it would certainly get back to Donald and I don't want him to know what I'm doing.'

‘Why?'

‘Two reasons. He specifically said that he doesn't want to start the investigation until Cathair sign the contract, and I still have a very slight suspicion that he may be involved … We need to get into Frank's email without involving IT.'

‘I would try but for the fact I can't get into the office here any more,' she said somewhat bitterly. ‘I had to hand over my access card to David.'

‘But you could ask someone, someone you trust … They could get in while he's at a meeting or something.'

Robert's suggestion seemed outrageous but there were no other alternatives jumping out at her.

‘It's a big ask,' she said. ‘Emma is the only person … Let me think some more on it.'

‘Thanks, Claire. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to have you back on my side.'

Claire arranged to meet Emma after work on Monday. It was exactly a week since she had first read the report on ARS. They went to the Greenwood.

‘Let me get this straight: you want me to get into Frank's email without him knowing?' Emma said, her glass of wine untouched.

‘Yes.'

‘I could get fired for that.'

‘I know. You can't get caught – that's not part of the plan.' Claire smiled to lighten the moment.

‘Why? Why do you want me to do it?'

‘Robert and I are in some trouble and we think it's because of Frank. If we could see what emails he has sent over the last few months we might be able to figure out what's happened. We're looking for messages to people outside Australia.'

‘Wow, this is exciting.' Emma remembered her wine and took a sip.

‘Will you do it?'

‘Of course I will.'

‘Thanks.' Claire gave her a grateful smile. She looked around the bar – it was very busy for a Monday night.

‘What's happening with you and Robert?' Emma asked out of the blue.

‘What do you mean?'

‘Are you still involved with him?'

‘How did you know?' Claire couldn't deny it. She owed Emma some truth.

‘It's obvious. The tax seminar, Hong Kong, Melbourne … need I go on? I feel quite jealous – I fancied him first!'

Emma was laughing but Claire's response was serious. ‘I don't know where we stand … I don't know how he feels about me.'

‘He's crazy about you, silly. The first thing that made me click you were a couple was the way he looked at you.'

Claire didn't allow herself to believe her. Their wine finished, they went outside.

‘Emma, thanks for this. Thanks for helping me out.'

‘No problem. I'll try to do it tomorrow. I'll call you.'

Emma reckoned that lunchtime was her best chance. Frank enjoyed long lunches with his clients most days of the week. She confirmed with his secretary that he would be out for at least an hour. She then waited until the secretary went to lunch.

Armed with an official-looking file, she marched into Frank's office, leaving the door wide open so it looked as if she had every right to be there. She opened the file on his desk. Microsoft Outlook was open, a few unread messages in his inbox. She went into ‘sent' messages and was just sorting the messages by name when Brian came in.

‘Where's Frank?' he asked, giving her a curious look.

‘He's gone to lunch … He forgot to forward me a message that I need for quarter end … I just called him and he told me to get it myself … Charming!' She did a reasonable impression of being annoyed.

‘I guess he won't be back for some time then,' said Brian.

‘Knowing Frank it will be a few glasses of expensive wine before he makes an appearance.'

They both laughed and Brian went back to his office.

Emma quickly scanned the names that were now sorted in alphabetical order. After more than ten years with the company, she knew most of the names. She rang Claire.

‘It's me … I only have two names that are based outside Australia … Tony Falcinella is one. I've never heard of the
second … It's Wayne Costello. I've opened up the messages but they're rather vague … do you want me to read them out?'

‘Where are you calling from?'

‘Frank's office … This is fun.'

‘Oh my God, don't read them. The names will do! Just get out of there before you're caught!'

‘Calm down. Brian came in earlier and I handled him superbly, even if I say so myself … This was easy … Let me know if you need any more help.' Emma closed her bogus file and marched back out with it.

Claire waited up for Robert to call. It was close to midnight when the phone rang.

‘Hey, honey!' His greeting told her he was in good spirits.

‘Hello.'

‘You got any news for me?'

‘Emma found two names … Tony Falcinella and Wayne Costello.'

Robert didn't react. His silence gave Claire the opportunity to tell him what she was thinking.

‘You know, Robert, I do remember Tony looking for Frank on a few occasions. One day in particular he seemed very put out that Frank was on leave. I did wonder at the time what business they could have together.'

‘It could be anything – Tony has a lot happening in his region. Anyhow, I couldn't possibly imagine Tony being involved in anything underhand.'

Claire's perception of Tony's character was the same. ‘What about this Wayne Costello – who is he?'

‘He's a friend of mine. He's head of Operations over here in San Jose.'

‘Would Frank have a relationship with him through work?'

‘Not that I know of, but Wayne's role is very broad and it's possible,' Robert replied, thinking back to the night he had told Wayne he was going to Sydney. Wayne said then that he knew a few people there. Was Frank one of them?

Claire heard Fiona's key in the lock. She had been to the movies with James. Claire didn't have to tell her it was Robert on the phone – she was sure it was obvious from her whole demeanour. It was just as obvious that Fiona didn't approve.

‘Did Emma get the chance to look at the content of any of the messages to Tony and Wayne?' Robert continued, unaware that Claire now had an audience.

‘She had a quick look – she said there was nothing unusual.'

‘Neither Wayne nor Tony makes any kind of sense,' Robert said. ‘I think we have to get creative and try some other means to get to the bottom of this.'

‘What do you suggest?'