“If I had a pound…” I answered, and then laughed. “It opens doors, sometimes. It closes more, for sure. There’s a huge misconception that, since I’m atoff, I like buggering boys and I can row a boat.”
It was my turn to cause Mackenzie to splutter; so much so that he had to dab his mouth with his napkin since he’d just taken a mouthful of water.
“Jesus, Alex. That’s about the funniest, and the first, thing I thought of as well.”
I held my hands up as if to prove my point. “Well, never done either. Not interested in boys and too tall for the boat.” I picked up my glass of water and raised it to him in a toast.
We chatted back and forth over lunch, mostly about our lives and where we came from, our childhoods, and then about business. Although candid in some areas, Mackenzie was quite forthcoming discussing his many companies, and there were many.
“Where do you see yourself in five years, Alex?” he asked as we waited for the plates to be removed.
“I’d like to build my business, obviously. Pay off the family debts, I guess, and start living my own life, not the one intended for me.” It was as blunt a statement as I’d ever given, and I surprised myself with my honesty.
He nodded thoughtfully. “Before you came to see me, I’d decided that you and I should have a discussion. I’m not interested in using your investment firm. As you said, I’m more than capable of dealing with that myself, although sometimes, I do distance myself from a deal. But I had planned to headhunt you. Seems that you have saved me the trouble by scheduling our appointment first. I want you to run one of my companies.”
For a moment there was silence. I shook my head; had I heard correctly? I’d only known Mackenzie for a couple of hours. “I’m sorry, you want me to do what?”
He grinned, clearly amused by my reaction. “I want you to run one of my companies. I’m about to buy one of the largest communications companies in Europe. Obviously, no one knows about it yet. I intend to merge it with a smaller one that I own. What makes me want you, is that the new company has some very lucrative military contracts and I think you would be the best person at the helm, rather than some redneck from the United States.”
I was so taken aback I wasn’t sure how to answer so I did so stupidly. “So, you just want my Lordship?” I asked, laughing to ensure he realised it was humour. Although I wasn’t sure it worked.
He pondered for a moment. “Partly, yes. A Brit in charge is probably better for liaison than me. You might think we don’t know each other, but I’ve been researching you for a while.”
“That sort of sounds illegal,” I said, again laughing.
That time, he joined in. “Alex, we’re businessmen, we do what we have to. Obviously, I don’t expect an answer now, but Gabriella has prepared a proposal that we’d like to send to you,” he said.
I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out my wallet. I handed him a personal card with my home address. “Okay, it wasn’t what I came to see you about, obviously, but I can’t say I’m not interested to learn more.”
“I think you’ll find the proposal attractive and the benefits are enormous,” he added.
“I’ll be interested in reading it.”
Mackenzie insisted on having the bill sent to his office, despite my protests, and with promises of the proposal being sent by courier, something I found rather old fashioned, we parted ways.
I hailed a taxi to take me back to my office and he stepped into his car. He had offered a lift, but I’d declined. It had been the strangest meeting I’d had in a long time and I really just needed to clear my head before getting on with my day.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to see Stanton’s name displayed. Bile rose to my throat at the thought of spending the evening socialising with him, but I reminded myself it was for the greater good.
I took the call. “Stanton,” I said, clipped and with authority.
“Just checking on this evening, old boy. I’ve sent you the address. No phones, no cameras, and you’re there as my guest. Arrive about eight, yes?”
He had tried to mimic my clipped tones and authoritative voice, but he couldn’t match them. Mine was an inherited title, his was given for services rendered and it most certainly made him feel inferior to the rest of us. He was a short man with an excessive love of port that showed in his bulbous nose and rotund frame. In addition, his sweaty body gave him a slimy look. His reminder that I was to be there as his guest was his way of pretending he was superior to me in some way. I smiled to myself as I clicked off the call.
Evidence, that’s all I wanted.
Chapter Two
A large white envelope with a small embossed insignia in the corner sat on my table. When Mackenzie had said he would courier over the proposal, I had assumed it would be to my home address and in a day or so. I removed my jacket and placed it on the coat stand, leaving my briefcase beside it. I didn’t intend to stay long; I had returned simply to gather some work for the evening. After I returned from the ‘club,’ I had every intention of catching up with a client in the Far East.
I picked up the envelope wondering whether to take it home or not. However, I could smell a faint hint of familiar perfume and knew that Gabriella had put it together. I smiled as I slid my fingers under the flap and shook out the contents.
I picked up a summary and read halfway, pausing to gasp at what I was reading.
It appeared I was being offered a one-off payment to clear my family debt; a figure very close to what was owed was mentioned. In addition to this, a salary three times what I was currently earning would be offered with a six-month review, the usual pension and medical insurance, first class travel, accommodation when in the States was also on offer. As far as I was aware, the position was UK based but I wasn’t averse to travel overseas if necessary.
“Wow,” I whispered.
