Chapter 13
Tristan
“Any updates?”
Nigel’s question grates my nerves, but mostly because I’ve made no progress, unless one counts getting close to Lucia Oliviera and confirming she’s not living above her means.
“These things take time.”
“I have another case I could use you on.”
“Short on personnel?”
“Always. And the wankers are breathing down my neck about stopping the human trafficking ring in Asia, which, thanks to the press, is the flavor du jour. But instead of focusing on Cambodia, I’ve got you hunting white-collar criminals.”
“Is that how we’re looking at it these days? If someone hires thugs, they’re just leveraging a resource, so they fall to a low priority?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. But I am regretting allocating your time to one case for ninety days.”
These fuck twats are in my family’s company. “I’m making connections.” A vision of my connection with Lucia comes out of nowhere and I’m instantly hard.
“Connections. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“Feeling punchy?”
“Penny let me know you didn’t come home last night.”
“And exactly how did your assistant know that?”
“That’s a question you’ll need to ask her. I don’t ask these things.”
“She’s tracking my phone’s location? Is that it? Or is she tapped into my security system?” There are security cameras at every door and window in my flat. When I first started with Interpol and began pissing off unsavory characters, I installed them. But did I give Penny access? Surely not.
“Like I said, you’ll need to ask her. She looks at all of you as hers, you know. Takes your safety seriously.”
I press my thumb over the bridge of my nose, hoping to ward off the impending headache.
“So who is she?” Nigel prods.
“Come again?”
“Or him. I don’t care which way you swing. Just looking for a little reassurance you’re not about to blow through an assignment with no plan.”
“She’s an assistant. She’s well-connected.”
“Did she know William Salo?”
“I’ll have that answer by the end of the week. I can’t come in asking questions about the guy who’s suspected of foul things without raising suspicion.”
“Right.”
Nigel knows how I work. “You’re just busting my balls, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. It’s fun.” He’s such a shit.
“But I want you back here. Personally, I think everyone’s going to forget all about the compounds, but the PM is getting heat and I’d like some updates.”
“All the more reason to have me here. China won’t interfere with this inquiry. And you and I both know they’re the reason nothing has been done to date about those compounds.”
He grunts. “What are you doing at home so late in the day? I thought the point was to be in the office.”
“You are tracking my mobile.” I shake my head. “Keeping tabs.”
“It’s for your own good. Go on. Explain yourself.”
“It’s all part of the role. Right now, Pelz is worried I’m gunning for his job. I’ll play the spoiled kid card to ease those fears. That’s all.”
I also spent the morning catching up on updates from a couple of projects. In my line of work, it’s important to stay abreast of the news. It pays to be informed.
“All right then. Well, I wasn’t just calling to tickle fuck you. I have some news.”
The line goes silent.
“And?” I prompt.
“Right. Anton Solonov popped up in Moscow.”
“One of ours saw him?”
“No. But we have an authenticated photo.”
“It’s no surprise he’d go there. He only comes up in countries that won’t let us retrieve him. Did this source see who he met with?”
“One of the Wagner mercenaries.”
“Might be taking on another job.”
“Possibly.”
“You’ve still got Salo under watch?”
“For now. He’s a vegetable. My guess is his wife will pull the plug soon.”
“Why hasn’t she yet?”
“Doctors tell her he may wake up. And something about his brain waves are still flowing.”
Which means he’s not dead. Pointing this out to Nigel would be pointless.
“Alright. If that’s it, I’m off.” I could tell him Lucia Olivieri might be involved, and my connection might prove highly valuable, but I don’t need him repeating her name to others, not until I know if there’s any merit.
“Get your arse to the office. I think we’ve spoilt you, letting you pick your own hours.”
“Sod off.”
“Keep that mobile on you.”
Less than thirty minutes later, and I’m walking into Lumina’s headquarters. I still remember when the nameplate outside held my family name. I’d felt like big shit walking beneath letters taller than me that spelled out my last name. My grandfather expected it would remain in the family for generations to come.
My parents failed him in several ways. One, they produced only one offspring. Two, they didn’t place stipulations on said offspring that required him to partake in the family business. And three, perhaps the worst insult, they sold the company to corporate vultures. If there were such a thing as ghosts, he’d haunt my parents for the rest of their lives on earth.
The buttoned-up version of Lucia sits at her desk, head bowed, working away on a presentation. Today she’s wearing a winter white sweater dress that hugs her curves and contrasts with her dark hair and sugary sweet skin. Peltz’s office door is closed and there’s no one in the hall, so I step up behind her, breathing in a light floral scent.
From my vantage point, my view is of the smooth curve of her voluptuous breasts.
“Busy morning?”
She jumps, and only then do I realize she has earbuds in.
Peltz’s office door opens, and he scowls. Given my office door remains closed, it’s obvious I’ve just arrived. And it might appear questionable that I’ve chosen to stand behind his assistant’s desk, quite near her chair, before entering my office.
But, he’s a putz, so I simply straighten and head to my office.
My hand touches the knob, and he calls, “Tristan. Come see me.”
His tone is one of disciplinarian. And I’ll grant him, I deserve it. Day three of the job and I’m showing up hours late. It’s a good thing I didn’t warm to Peltz immediately. Otherwise I’d hate disappointing him. As it is, he’s a wanker so he can stuff it.
Lucia’s gaze remains averted as I pass. It’s a reminder I shouldn’t have approached her at the office. We agreed to keep things on the down low. While I’m not staying here, she appears to care about her position for some ungodly reason, and I don’t wish to jeopardize her future.
Two steps into his office, and he announces, “I’m moving you onto the ZenFire account team.”
Zenfire is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world. They’ve worked closely with Lumina for ages. The former CEO is my godfather. He died a few years ago, but he was one of my father’s closest friends despite a good ten to fifteen year age difference.
“Excellent.” And it truly is, because now I can ask about William Salo. Pelz doesn’t offer a seat in his office, but I take one and cross an ankle over my knee. “Am I taking over William Salo’s position?”
“Did you know William?”
The past tense reference to a man currently fighting for his life intrigues.
“No,” I admit. “But I read about him. A curious situation. What happened exactly?”
“Unfortunate incident on holiday.”
“I heard it was a rather sordid affair.”
He lets out a sigh and takes a seat on his throne. “Rumors can’t be trusted. I hesitate to ask, but what have you heard?”
“Lover’s quarrel. Something of that sort.” I pick at nonexistent lint on my trouser socks while I await his response.
I’ve read every article about William Salo’s misfortune. Most describe it as an incident currently under investigation. All mention a knife wound. None mention the woman attacking him was his ex-lover. It all happened in Grand Cayman, and William Salo is a middle management business executive, so it’s not surprising the incident received minimal news coverage.
“Please don’t go spreading rumors. He was a good man.”
“Was? Did he pass?”
“No. Not yet.” He scratches at his eyebrow, removes his spectacles, and takes out a cloth to clean the lenses. “But his prognosis is dim. And yes, his misfortune is the reason there’s an opening in his group. I’ll need you to continue working on the Myacin pitch. But, that shouldn’t take much of your time. That project is really more for you to get your teeth wet.” Our eyes lock. “You’ve still got a lot to learn, you know?”
“Absolutely.”
“Go to the third floor and find Kendra Plymouth. She was Salo’s assistant and she can help bring you up to speed.”
“Fantastic.”
“And Tristan.” My skin crawls at the way the putz says my name.
“Yes?”
“Sexual harassment is a real thing. We won’t tolerate it. Even from you.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
“I’m serious. Lumina International has a strict non fraternization policy.”
“My parents met here.” Yes, I sound like a spoilt child, but that is my role.
“Times have changed. A fact you’ll do well to remember.”