find out how much profit you’re making.”
The CEO’s mouth tightened. “Forgive me for saying this, but I don’t know you, so your word doesn’t mean anything to me. I’d be doing our employees a disservice if I allowed someone outside the company to see confidential accounting records. Perhaps if you have an official request routed through your main office, we’ll consider it and get back to you.”
And give Sentinal a chance to cover up anything illegal, Sydney thought. Max had mentioned they were probably going to meet stiff opposition when it came to seeing the company’s books. That’s why he’d wanted to come down here virtually unannounced.
Max’s jaw clenched. “Unfortunately, we don’t have time to follow the normal channels. We need to resolve this today. Since you refuse to allow us access to your records, I have no choice but to call the Defense Contract Management Agency and tell them about the discrepancies we discovered. They’ll be here to audit your books before close of business.”
Burton’ face reddened. “Design-Tech would get audited as well.”
“Almost assuredly. But this contract is only a portion of our current business,” Max pointed out. “This contract represents what? Ninety percent of your workload? The bad publicity will have a much greater effect on your company than it will on mine.”
Burton ground his jaw. “That’s blackmail.”
Max shrugged. “It’s unfortunate you see it that way. If you’d simply agree to give us access to your books, none of this would be necessary.”
Damn, Max was good. He could certainly play hardball when he had to.
On the other side of the desk, Burton finally nodded. “I’ll speak to Accounting. It will take a while to put everything together. In the meantime, I’ll have our Vice President of Operations show you around.”
Max didn’t look like he was interested in getting a guided tour of Sentinel Software, but he agreed. A few moments later a tall, thin man with glasses came into the office. Thomas Burton introduced him as Sentinel’s VP, Alec Friedman.
Alec was a welcome change from the dour Thomas Burton, and as they walked through the different departments, he seemed eager to talk about the company. Though she might not have been interested in the tour to start with, Alec made it interesting. He couldn’t distract her and Max forever, though, and after two hours in the relatively small building, they’d seen everything the software company had to offer.
When they got back to Burton’ office, Alec asked them to wait in the outer office while he spoke with the CEO. As the man disappeared inside the office, Sydney turned to Max.
“Do you think they’ll let us look at their books?”
Max’s mouth tightened. “I don’t know, but their reluctance makes me think they’re hiding something.”
The door opened and Alec appeared. “If you’d please come in.”
Burton looked more sour-faced than before. Oh yeah, he was definitely hiding something.
“I’ve talked to our lawyers and they’ve advised me to give you access to our books. Even though there are no irregularities with them,” He paused, raking both her and Max with his beady-eyed gaze. “And just so you know, I will be expecting a full apology from Design-Tech when this is all over with.”
Max inclined his head, but said nothing.
Alec glanced from him to Burton. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you down to Accounting.” He held the door open for her and Max. “I apologize for Mr. Burton,” he said as he led them down the hall. “He’s been under a lot of stress lately, and I’m afraid your visit has only added to it.”
Sydney exchanged a glance with Max, then gave Alec a smile. “We wouldn’t have asked to see the books unless it was absolutely necessary.”
Alec’s brow furrowed, but he made no comment as they walked into the room that housed the accounting department.
Burton might have agreed to let them see the books, but
The CEO’s mouth tightened. “Forgive me for saying this, but I don’t know you, so your word doesn’t mean anything to me. I’d be doing our employees a disservice if I allowed someone outside the company to see confidential accounting records. Perhaps if you have an official request routed through your main office, we’ll consider it and get back to you.”
And give Sentinal a chance to cover up anything illegal, Sydney thought. Max had mentioned they were probably going to meet stiff opposition when it came to seeing the company’s books. That’s why he’d wanted to come down here virtually unannounced.
Max’s jaw clenched. “Unfortunately, we don’t have time to follow the normal channels. We need to resolve this today. Since you refuse to allow us access to your records, I have no choice but to call the Defense Contract Management Agency and tell them about the discrepancies we discovered. They’ll be here to audit your books before close of business.”
Burton’ face reddened. “Design-Tech would get audited as well.”
“Almost assuredly. But this contract is only a portion of our current business,” Max pointed out. “This contract represents what? Ninety percent of your workload? The bad publicity will have a much greater effect on your company than it will on mine.”
Burton ground his jaw. “That’s blackmail.”
Max shrugged. “It’s unfortunate you see it that way. If you’d simply agree to give us access to your books, none of this would be necessary.”
Damn, Max was good. He could certainly play hardball when he had to.
On the other side of the desk, Burton finally nodded. “I’ll speak to Accounting. It will take a while to put everything together. In the meantime, I’ll have our Vice President of Operations show you around.”
Max didn’t look like he was interested in getting a guided tour of Sentinel Software, but he agreed. A few moments later a tall, thin man with glasses came into the office. Thomas Burton introduced him as Sentinel’s VP, Alec Friedman.
Alec was a welcome change from the dour Thomas Burton, and as they walked through the different departments, he seemed eager to talk about the company. Though she might not have been interested in the tour to start with, Alec made it interesting. He couldn’t distract her and Max forever, though, and after two hours in the relatively small building, they’d seen everything the software company had to offer.
When they got back to Burton’ office, Alec asked them to wait in the outer office while he spoke with the CEO. As the man disappeared inside the office, Sydney turned to Max.
“Do you think they’ll let us look at their books?”
Max’s mouth tightened. “I don’t know, but their reluctance makes me think they’re hiding something.”
The door opened and Alec appeared. “If you’d please come in.”
Burton looked more sour-faced than before. Oh yeah, he was definitely hiding something.
“I’ve talked to our lawyers and they’ve advised me to give you access to our books. Even though there are no irregularities with them,” He paused, raking both her and Max with his beady-eyed gaze. “And just so you know, I will be expecting a full apology from Design-Tech when this is all over with.”
Max inclined his head, but said nothing.
Alec glanced from him to Burton. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll take you down to Accounting.” He held the door open for her and Max. “I apologize for Mr. Burton,” he said as he led them down the hall. “He’s been under a lot of stress lately, and I’m afraid your visit has only added to it.”
Sydney exchanged a glance with Max, then gave Alec a smile. “We wouldn’t have asked to see the books unless it was absolutely necessary.”
Alec’s brow furrowed, but he made no comment as they walked into the room that housed the accounting department.
Burton might have agreed to let them see the books, but
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