‘Finlay. Great to see you. Please have a seat.’
I shook his hand and took the comfy-looking chair opposite him. A dark wood table separated us, and regardless of his formal business attire, it felt a little like we were two friends simply meeting up for coffee and a chat—only inverysumptuous surroundings.
He looked relaxed and smiled warmly which, in spite of the fact that it probably should have, didn’t make me uncomfortable. ‘What would you like to drink? Are you hungry?’
‘Just a coffee, thanks. I have plans for lunch,’ I lied, figuring I needed a get out plan, just in case.
He called the waiter over and placed an order for a cafetiere and some petit fours. I scrunched my brow and he chuckled in response.
Leaning forward, he whispered conspiratorially, ‘I’m not allowed to eat cake at home. My wife, Colette, is a fitness fanatic. It’s all about the green tea and lentils.’ He shivered and made a face which made me smile. Leaning back once again, he continued, ‘Me, on the other hand, well, I have a sweet tooth and the petit fours here are to die for; especially the macaroons. Trust me, you’ll love them.’
I smiled and shook my head. How could such a powerful man be so down to earth? He wasnothinglike my tyrant of a father. ‘So... you wanted to make a proposition.’ I folded my arms across my chest, very much aware of my defensive motion.
‘My goodness, straight down to brass tacks, eh? You must get that from your father.’
I smiled briefly but without feeling any emotion attached to the expression. ‘Well, I’m sure your time is precious, Mr McKendrick.’
He held up his hands. ‘Please, call me Alasdair. And relax a little, will you? You’re not up against a firing squad, you know.’
I heaved a frustrated sigh. ‘Forgive me for my trepidation, but it’s not often one’s father’s arch nemesis takes you out for coffee and mini cakes,Alasdair.’ I stressed his name forcefully.
He laughed heartily. ‘My, my. So, I’m Campbell’s arch nemesis, am I? Well, I can assure you that was none ofmydoing.’ The waiter arrived with a large silver tray adorned with coffee cups, coffee pot, and a selection of brightly coloured sweet things that looked far too good to eat. Once the waiter had gone, Alasdair continued. ‘Do you know the facts behind the relationship between him and me?’
I shook my head. ‘Can’t say that I do. All Idoknow is that you’re not to be trusted.’
He pursed his lips and nodded. ‘I see. I see.’ His brow furrowed and he briefly lowered and shook his head. ‘Tell me... have you and your father reconciled?’
‘No.’ My answer was blunt and to the point, and I hoped the matter would be left alone.
He poured coffee into his cup and placed the pot down with the handle angled towards me so I could do the same.
After adding milk and munching thoughtfully on a miniature chocolate gateau, he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. ‘Finlay. I would like you to come and work for me.’
My jaw fell open and I just stared at the man. That was what you called a direct hit. Considering the hostile manner of my reaction towards him, it wasn’t what I had expected.
After what felt like an age of me sitting there like a complete dumbstruck idiot, he rescued me. ‘Look, I know this is a bit of a shock. But you are one of the best, Hunter. Ionlyemploy the best. In my humble opinion, you were wasted in your father’s firm. Forever in his shadow, as it were. You should beleadingon the big cases. Maybe you can take some time to think about it.’
‘Has... has this got anything to do with you bearing a grudge against Campbell? Because I have enough shit going on with him as it is—’
He held up his hands. ‘No. No, this hasnothingto do with my relationship with your father, or lack thereof. I would have offered you the job whilst you were still employed by him but, well, I presumed your answer would have categorically been no at that point.’
Searching my brain for some kind of response, I gulped down the hot coffee from my mug, scalding the skin on the roof of my mouth—evidently this was becoming a habit—and muttering expletives as I tried to place my cup down as gently as possible. ‘I don’t get it. Why me?’
He shrugged. ‘Like I said, Finlay, I only employ the best.’
‘But how do you evenknowabout the standard of my work?’
‘I have ways and means. I just want you to think about it. Will you do that?’
I inhaled a deep calming breath. ‘Before I agree to eventhinkabout this, can you explain why Campbell hates you so much?’
He placed his dessert fork down and eyed me warily. ‘What would be the point in that? He’s your father, and anything I tell you will simply be dismissed as folly.’
‘No. No, it won’t. I feel it would help me to know... to understand.’
He heaved out a long breath through puffed cheeks. ‘Well, to cut a very long, laborious story short... he stole my fiancée and proceeded to turn her against me by making up ridiculous rumours about me.’
My exhaled laugh was without humour. ‘Seriously?’
