Read Online Executive Affair by Ber Carroll - Free Book Online Page B

for you to meet the heavy-hitters,’ he joked when she got there.
    She followed Harry into the office next to his own. The nameplate declared the occupant to be Steve Ryan, General Manager. The plush navy carpet and large teak desk were impressive against the backdrop of the city view. Steve looked haggard and grey in the colour-rich room. He shook Claire’s hand briskly.
    â€˜Good to have you on board, Claire. We’ve been without a finance manager for longer than Harry and I would have liked.’ His face was serious and unsmiling. ‘I was about to treat myself to a drink after a hard day. Would you both care to join me?’
    He opened a plain teak door to reveal a well-stocked drinks cabinet and small refrigerator. He took out three crystal glasses without waiting for their consent. Claire didn’t want a drink but didn’t know how to say that as he poured a casual measure of bourbon into each glass before adding some ice cubes. His movements were smooth and efficient; he was obviously used to the routine of fixing drinks in his office. He handed the glasses to them and they had an undefined toast. He took a generous drink from his glass before setting it down by his phone so he could dial a number.
    â€˜Samantha, tell Frank and Brian we’re having drinks in here if they want to join us.’
    They came within minutes, their eyes immediately questioning her presence.
    â€˜Claire, this is Frank Williams, sales and marketing director,’ Steve said, stepping back to make the introductions. ‘And this is Brian Brooker, services director.’
    Frank was large, he towered over the others. His height helped disguise the weight he carried. He was obviously a man used to eating and drinking well. He nodded in her direction before going to the cabinet to fix two extra drinks. Brian Brooker was of a smaller and slighter build, his face a rounded boyish shape but with deep age and laughter lines.
    â€˜Very pleased to meet you,’ he said, thrusting out his hand. ‘I’ve heard really good things about the services organisation in Amtech Ireland. Were you involved with that group when you worked there?’
    â€˜Yes, I did all the project accounting,’ she answered as she sipped the bourbon cautiously. ‘Our projects weren’t very big, though. Largest one we ever had was a prime contract for a local council. It was about two million Irish pounds.’
    â€˜That’s very interesting – we’ve just signed up a project that sounds quite similar,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘It’s quite a complex deal – I’d like to meet up with you to go through it as soon as you’re settled in.’
    â€˜No problem,’ she said with a smile.
    Frank Williams joined them, handing Brian his drink.
    â€˜Of course, something has to be done about the sales commission that our reps earn for those projects,’ he said, his black eyes assessing her. ‘At the moment it’s calculated on margin. All the other IT companies in the industry pay commission on revenue.’
    â€˜That can’t be changed,’ Claire answered honestly. ‘Human Resources in San Jose set the commission plans and the samerules apply worldwide. You must admit that it doesn’t make sense to pay commission if a project is losing money.’
    He didn’t seem to like her answer, his eyes narrowing to black slits in his olive face. He terminated the conversation by turning abruptly to speak to Steve Ryan.
    Brian Brooker looked as if he was trying to disguise a smile by sipping his drink. ‘Don’t take Frank to heart,’ he murmured. ‘He gets upset when he can’t manipulate people. So, where are you staying in Sydney, Claire?’
    â€˜Bondi,’ she answered, embarrassed by Frank’s behaviour. She hoped that Harry and Steve hadn’t noticed.
    She liked Brian and she stayed for a while chatting to him. When she finally