Page 67 of Third Time’s a Charm

“I don’t trust charming.” I’ve been burnt before. My last boyfriend was charming, and look how that turned out.

“Hmm. Clearly you lean towards stern and frosty. But we digress.” Colin leans forward. “What is also strange is that Mackelden made a last-minute decision to go to that conference in Argentina. And flew back with Tate Brown. They seem very chummy. So, of course, I came in early to make sure I didn’t miss anything. But they’ve been locked in McSexy’s office with the door closed the whole time.”

Shit.

Less than twenty-four hours ago, Jasper said Mackelden wouldn’t know what hit him when we got back to Sydney. How will that play out if he’s on such friendly terms with Tate Brown? Or maybe that’s just a front and even now he’s being hauled over the coals. Not that I’m sad; he totally deserves it.

“You know something,” Colin declares, pointing at the face I’m trying—unsuccessfully, I expect—to arrange into a mask of indifference. I need Jasper to give me some pointers.

“No. I don’t. But I have suspicions.”

“Care to share with the class?”

I take a beat to think about it. I could be wildly off base because there’s something not right about the whole situation. Best not to get ahead of myself. I stand and inch towards the door.

“Not yet. But as soon as I know something for sure, you’ll be the first to hear.”

I scuttle out of Colin’s office before he can object. None of this makes sense. If Mackelden is getting a warning of some kind, wouldn’t Colin, as the HR manager, be the first to know?

Surely Jasper wouldn’t sack Mackelden over what I told him? And why is Tate Brown here?

I need to speak to Jasper right now. He’ll clarify everything, I’m sure.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jasper

I’m not sure how things could be worse.

I arrived in the office this morning confident I could work everything out. Armed with what I thought was the information I needed to work out a strategy to negotiate what I want, what Louise needs, from Tate Brown when he finally surfaces.

I’m shocked to find the man himself sitting behind my desk like he owns it. Which I guess he does since he’s chief executive officer and one of only three shareholders. Still, it was a gut punch. Especially since I had no idea he was coming. An unannounced visit from the boss is never a good thing.

And leaning back in a visitor’s chair, a sly smile on his face, is John Mackelden.

Bile rises in my throat.

“Tate, what a pleasant surprise. I was under the impression you were in Argentina.” I take the seat next to John, lean back and cross an ankle over my knee, attempting a nonchalance disproved by the cold sweat rolling down my back.

“Yes, I decided I might as well go to the conference. And now I’m here.”

“Argentina is lovely this time of year. It was well worth the trip,” John adds. Now that I’m over the initial shock, I’m picking up on the atmosphere. These two were at the conference together. Tate hasn’t just covered up John’s misdemeanours. They’re buddies. Which explains a lot. God knows their morals are alike.

“You’ve been dragging your heels, my boy. Taking off on a wild goose chase like that.” I must look surprised. God knows I am. Yet another blindside I didn’t see coming. There’s an edge of spite to his voice when he continues. “Did you really think I’d have no idea what you were up to?” Tate shoots a conspiratorial grin at Mackelden. “But John here has explained why. Who could blame you? I hear she’s very pretty. Still, you wasted a lot of company time. And money.”

So Mackelden has been backchannelling my movements this whole time. Just great.

“Oh, I don’t know about wasted, Tate,” John interjects. “I can use the extra work Jasper put into the proposal to set up the programme in Europe. So no real harm done.”

So much to unpack in those few sentences. But if these fuckers think they’re walking away with Louise’s hard work, they’re mistaken. Right now, I have the advantage. They don’t know what I know.

Three deep, calming breaths. I can’t afford to react. I have to respond. Because we’re at the pointy end of this awful game I didn’t quite realise we were playing until now. And I can’t screw this up. Louise needs me.

The file I read last night, and the conversation with Edward, have clarified that there’s no way to save the Australian operation. Not least because Tate needs it gone to protect himself. From the damage to his reputation, potential police prosecution, and most terrifying for him, no doubt, the vengeance of his soon-to-be-ex-wife. I’ve met her. She’s scary. Beautiful, but scary.

I’ve already come to the decision that I can’t work with these guys any more. But I don’t want them to know that just yet. Don’t want them to suspect I know what’s been going on until I get some legal advice. So I have to give the appearance of fighting them, pointless as it is.

“What do you mean you can use it in Europe?” The only thing that shocks me about this development is that Tate would risk his European operation for John, friendship notwithstanding. Because John will fail there too. Nothing surer. “Europe was promised to me.”