Part 11 (2/2)
”For Claire and Clive yes, but Brian will be getting 25%”
”Is he worth it?” I asked.
”Well see in due course. We are poaching him away from his current distributor so I had to offer a bit extra. He also wants help recruiting marketing support staff and I said wed be able to help. Sorry I didnt ask you beforehand. Is that okay?”
He gave me one of his hopeful looks, opened his palms and shrugged his shoulders. He really could look quite cute at times. I made his request sound like an imposition, but I did not mind.
”Ill see what I can do.....”
As I made to go, he touched my arm to stop me.
”By the way,” he added, ”my wife doesnt buy stuff for the house any more.”
”Whys that?” I asked.
He looked hesitant.
”Shes.....not well.”
”Im sorry to hear that. I hope she gets better soon.”
It was not often that Dave ever talked about anything outside work and it took me a bit by surprise. I confirmed the contract details with him one last time and then remembered that I wanted to ask him about Mike and Sally.
”There is something else,” I said. ”Ive been putting together a picture of our sales manager friend and it seems that he has a mystery relations.h.i.+p with Sally, one of the local sales reps. Do you know anything about that?”
Dave pondered and raised his eyebrows.
”I heard they shared a flat for a while. Lots of rumours flying about, just t.i.ttle tattle, I imagine.”
”Come on, Dave. Spill it,” I insisted.
”Well, most people just think they had a fling that they moved into a flat together and that it didnt work out so he left.”
Something in his tone suggested that he had something else to add.
”And?” I asked with an expectant look.
”.....and I dont believe that. I used to get on well with one of Sallys colleagues and it seems that she moved in with him and his wife. Thats not the sort of thing that she would do if she was having an affair him. Unless the affair came later, of course.”
Dave paused for a smirk, and then carried on.
”No. I think Sally had some domestic crisis and Mike offered her a way out. Anyway, it caused no end of problems in his marriage and Sally had to move out. Then Mike joined her, I think. Not sure what happened after that all I know is that his personal life got into a real mess for a while. Im not a rumourmonger. What he does in his own time is really not our business.”
”Hes back with his wife now.” I said.
”Really?” he said with surprise. ”Interesting. Bet Sally was p.i.s.sed when he went back,” he remarked.
”Apparently not,” I said, ”They still get on well. She asked to carry on working with him recently when he moved jobs.”
”Feathering two nests, you think?”
I sensed that there was no love lost between Dave and Mike.
”Maybe. Not sure. What is it with you and him?” I enquired.
”Oh. Ive no strong feelings. I just think that whenever people let their personal and professional lives get confused things can become very messy.”
My sentiment entirely, I thought.
”He shouldve left well alone, I think.” He paused for a moment as pieces of the jigsaw were rea.s.sembled in his head. ”How does this link to Elona?” he finally asked.
”Not sure. Should find out soon. Im meeting Elona in a few minutes, then Nathan. I think well get to the bottom of this soon.”
”Okay. Keep me posted. When you have a complete picture we can discuss how to bust up this secret network.”
I had not realised before how similar Dave and I were in our outlook but it pleased me that we shared this point of view. I thanked him and returned to my department to meet Elona. With Daves support, I felt ready to get to the bottom of things and achieve closure.
Chapter 19.
”Come in, come in,” I said as I welcomed Elona into my office.
”Do you mind if Phil sits in on this one?”
Elona looked around the room and rubbed her ear. She looked unsure but answered positively.
”If you want him to stay, I guess thats okay with me.”
”Thanks. He knows more about this situation than I do, so Id like him here.”
Elona shuffled in her seat and looked uncomfortable.
”Can I offer you a cup of tea?” I asked.
She lifted her hand to decline the offer, but I decided to ask Phil to make one for me anyway. It would give me a moment to put Elona at her ease. As Phil left the room, I got up from my chair and sat beside her.
”Elona. There!” I said, as I put my hand on her shoulder. ”Dont worry. This is just a quiet chat to establish what has been going on. Phils been following up on some of your concerns and we want to discuss a few things with you. Theres no need to worry.”
Despite my calm and sympathetic words I detected an increase in her nervousness. She would not look at me and her hands were clasped together on her knees.
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