Read Online Geneva Connection, The by Martin Bodenham - Free Book Online Page B

matter of months. Not far off the mark. A complete disaster. The firm’s demise was about to be played out in public, and he’d become a laughing stock in the industry.
    “Is there anything I can do to help?” asked Tara, stepping into Kent’s office. She brought in his usual coffee and then sat on the arm of his sofa. She was dressed down for the somber occasion, but Kent couldn’t help notice how her red lipstick stood out against the dark suit, making her lips fuller than usual.
    “Thanks, Tara,” he said. “There really isn’t much you can do to help at the moment.”
    “I don’t understand all the technical issues, but it looks pretty bad.”
    “It’s bad, all right. Without Grampian, we have no money to invest. If we don’t find a replacement investor quickly, we’ll have to start winding down the firm soon.”
    Kent’s phone rang. He picked it up.
    “John, it’s Joanna.”
    “How’s it going?” he asked. She’d been down at Henderson Wright all morning and he had been waiting for her call. “I bet Wright didn’t say, ‘thanks for letting me know, maybe next time.’”
    “Not quite. Let’s just say, it’s not going well at all.”
    “So we’re off his Christmas card list?” Kent didn’t care. His firm was going over the cliff. If Wright’s firm went with them, so be it.
    “I’m sorry to pile on more pressure, but he said he’s coming up from London this afternoon to sort this mess out with you face to face. He was livid when I told him we were unable to complete his deal.”
    “Just what I need.”
    “I know. I’ve just left Henderson Wright’s offices and I’m on my way back to the office now. I thought I ought to give you as much advance notice as possible.”
    “Thanks. I’ll alert Chapman to load up his machine gun on the security desk. See you here later.”
    Kent was used to being in control, but for the first time in his life, he sensed events were in control of him. He couldn’t just stand by and watch this slow car crash. He needed to do something. There had to be a way out of this mess. He gazed out of his window toward Cambridge.
    His phone rang again. “Mr. Kent, this is Chapman. I’m sorry to trouble you, but we have a camera crew here at the front desk. They say they’re from the BBC and are asking for an interview. I’ve refused to let them in. Is that okay?”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll come down.” Kent stood up and made his way downstairs.
    He showed the camera crew and the BBC’s business editor into a meeting room on the ground floor and prepared for a mauling. He gave convincing answers to most of their questions, which were mainly about CBC’s ability to survive and what would happen to CBC’s existing portfolio of companies should the firm not make it. For a man with few real answers to these questions, Kent performed well. He gave the impression there were many alternative investors lining up to take the place of Grampian Capital; he wasn’t worried by this inconvenient setback. He knew if he looked as though he’d given up, there’d be no hope of attracting new investors.
    After an hour, he was saved by Tara. “Mr. Wright is in one of the top-floor meeting rooms, waiting to see you,” she said, interrupting the interview. Kent made his apologies and returned to his office.
    “Is Joanna back yet?” he asked.
    “Yes. Shall I ask her to join you in your office?”
    “Please.”
    Moments later, Kirkland walked into his office. “I have to tell you Wright is manic. It’s clear he’s a man who likes to get his own way. From what I’ve seen, all of his senior staff members are afraid to stand up to him. I’d say he’s a classic bully.”
    “I’m not surprised to hear that. I already knew he wasn’t liked much within his own firm as I know a number of his partners. They’ve told me the same thing.”
    “How are we going to deal with him?”
    “Leave most of the talking to me,” said Kent, taking off his tie. “I’ll handle