Tell Me (18 page)

Thea abandoned any thought of risk assessment. Tony had her full attention. “That’s a pity. So, tell me about the visit. Did you go to his home?”

“Yes. I phoned first, and he told me to fuck off. Oh, not in so many words, but that’s what it amounted to.”

“You can't really blame him.”

“No, I thought so too. So I persevered and managed to convince him there’d be no harm in sparing me a few minutes of his time. I offered to meet him at Costa in Millennium Square but he preferred to be on his home turf. So I went there.”

“He lives in Morley, right?”

“Yeah, a bungalow. It’s just him most of the time, and his daughter at weekends, like you said.”

“She wasn’t there, then?”

“No.”

“I wonder if he gets lonely, now that he doesn’t have his job…?”

“Perhaps, though he does some volunteering thing, helping to drag bikes and shopping trolleys out of the River Aire.” He paused, met her gaze. “He’s a nice guy, Thea. We screwed up, big style.”

She’d already known that, in her heart, but even so she was pleased to hear it confirmed.

“Right. So, if you’d known the full story, and if this had happened after you took over Dart Logistics, obviously, how would it have been handled? What would we do differently?”

“We’d have changed his working hours, gone for a more flexible arrangement. He could have had his Monday mornings and Friday afternoons off, and just added a couple of hours to the other working days to make it up. Informally, that’s what he did anyway. He generally worked until six thirty or seven from Monday to Thursday, because on those days he would be going home to an empty house, and he was happy to come in early when needed. He could have changed Melanie’s transport times, but when he asked they told him that would mean dropping her off on Saturday morning and she’d have to return to her residential school on Sunday afternoon. Neither of them wanted that, they saw little enough of each other as it was.”

“Well, that sounds reasonable. But why didn't he tell anyone at work that was what he was doing? What about his time sheets?”

“If Eric’s team back then had cross-referenced Jerry’s absentee record with his time sheets the truth might well have emerged. No one did though.”

Jerry? Interesting.
“That was a fundamental error.”

Tony’s grin was rueful. “Yeah, even I can see that.”

“But Mr Malone could have told someone. He could have explained what his problem was, and the solution he’d come up with.”

“Yeah, I asked him about that. Seems he was being treated for depression at the time. He told me he just lost interest in everything during those final few months, let it all wash over him and took a fatalistic view. Dart would do what they wanted anyway, and so on. He expected to get fired, and when it happened he just went quietly.”

“He didn't stay quiet though.”

“No. Like I said, his depression was being treated. He got better. And when he came out of the fog as he tells it, he realised he’d been the victim of a massive injustice, and he wasn’t having it. He got some advice—better late than never—and put in his claim for wrongful dismissal. Even then though he didn't base his case on his circumstances, but on the process. He was able to prove that he hadn’t been offered a union rep or colleague because those were not mentioned in the letters he had from us. That’s in violation of our written disciplinary policy, and the tribunal had an easy time coming to the conclusion we didn't follow our own rules. He was told he’d be onto a sure thing with that, so why bother with the less certain, and much more painful route of laying his personal life in front of the tribunal and hoping they’d sympathise?”

“Makes sense, I suppose.”

Tony nodded. “I thought so. And it worked. He got paid out.”

“But if he’s been out of work for eight months already he can't have much left.”

“The twenty five grand amounted to about a year’s salary after tax, maybe a little more. He’s been living off that, and he’s made some economies so he can manage another six months or so before he runs out of savings. Then he’ll have to sign on. And things could get tricky. The council might not agree to pay for Melanie’s residential school, for example. She’s doing well where she is, which is why he kept her there even though he’s now at home all day and she doesn't need a residential place.”

Thea levelled a shrewd look at him. “You offered to pay for the school, didn’t you?”

He returned her gaze. “That was one option, yes.”

“And the other options?”

“There was only one other option really, apart from doing nothing. That he return to work, in his old job but on a revised contract.”

She lifted one eyebrow, and waited.

“He starts a week on Monday.”

Thea let out a squeal which would have been more suited to their dining room, and leapt across the room at him. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. Hard.

When she allowed him up for air Tony chuckled. “Mrs Richmond, I’m shocked. Is this any way to carry on in the workplace? What do our policies on sexual harassment have to say on the matter? Maybe you need to write us a new one.”

“I was sure you’d sort it once you knew. I love you.” She kissed him again, this time plunging her tongue into his mouth and taking her time as he returned the kiss. She managed to crawl into his lap, her shoes kicked under his desk. Tony found no further objections to offer

The sound of a throat clearing interrupted the continuation of their ‘business meeting’. They both turned. Isabel was framed in the doorway.

Thea thought the PA’s expression could best be described as glacial. Self-conscious, but interestingly not nearly as embarrassed as she might once have been to be caught in such a compromising position, she clambered from Tony’s lap. She tried not to make too much of a production out of straightening her skirt and offered up thanks that they had not had a few more seconds alone. Who knew what she might have got up to on her Dom’s knee? She shuffled around trying to locate her shoes, but despite her efforts Tony had to retrieve one of them for her.

Tony met the interruption with considerably more aplomb. Thea was impressed. She hoped Isabel had not been treated to such displays before between Tony and his senior staff, but somehow she doubted it.

Tony was all smiles. “Isabel, we have good news.”

His PA lifted her chin and sniffed, her disapproval almost palpable. “I gathered that much. Am I to understand that congratulations are in order?”

“What? No. Well, yes. Jeremy Malone’s coming back. We’ll be needing a revised contract for him. Could you run one off please? Mrs Richmond will provide the details of the changes.”

Isabel stiffened still more, glaring at the pair of them down her nose. Thea couldn’t recall ever seeing the loyal and usually so easy-going PA appear so disgruntled. Her next words were delivered with icy disdain. “I don't think that's a good idea, Tony. I explained that to you already, at the meeting last week. I suggest we all just consider this matter a little further before rushing into any decisions.”

Thea was astonished. She was head of corporate services here, and Tony owned the bloody company. They had the right to ‘rush into decisions’ if they so chose and neither of them required Isabel Barnard’s approval. Nor had they asked for it. She opened her mouth to point out something along those lines, but Tony was there ahead of her.

“I know you did, and I appreciate your input, as ever. But this matter is decided, Thea and I both believe this is the correct approach to take. Please make the necessary arrangements with Denise, if you don't mind.”

Isabel was not giving up. “But, what about the money we paid him? Even if we did treat him badly, and that’s a matter of opinion, he’s been compensated.”

That question had occurred to Thea and would have been among the next items she intended to raise with Tony. When she remembered.

Tony was unruffled. “Mr Malone wondered about that too. He offered to repay the funds he still has, but I declined. He was the wronged party, his life has been turned upside down by this, and he deserves to keep the money.”

Good answer. Thea approved. Isabel apparently did not.

“But, that’s just ridiculous!”

“Thank you, Isabel, That’ll be all.” Tony’s voice shifted in an instant to the cool, businesslike tone Thea knew he normally reserved for the bank manager. And for her, but only when she was bound and naked in his dining room.

“But—”

“And would you mind closing the door on your way out please? Thea and I have a number of other matters to discuss.”

There followed several moments of awkward, tense silence as Isabel scowled at them both. Her mouth was working but no sound emerged. From the corner of her eye Thea caught the slight movement as Tony tilted his chin in the direction of the door. It was enough, Isabel got the hint. She whirled on her heel and marched back into her outer office, slamming the door behind her.

Thea sat down at her desk again, and looked to Tony for some reaction. Any reaction. Would he even now reconsider based on Isabel’s advice?

He grinned at her and rested his chin on his hand. He seemed unaffected by the little altercation, whereas Thea was shaking. She wasn’t sure which had disturbed her more—Isabel walking in on their private moment and her undisguised disapproval, or the woman’s obvious hostility and anger at the reinstatement of Jeremy Malone. She saw the working relationship between herself and Isabel disappearing down the toilet. Fast.

“Well,” she observed at last, “we could have handled that a bit better.”

Tony lifted one expressive eyebrow. “Really? I doubt that somehow.”

Isabel may have been dismayed at Tony’s about turn in the matter of Jeremy Malone, but Denise Metcalfe was delighted when she heard the news. “Excellent, I’m so pleased we’ve arrived at an amicable solution. It will boost staff morale to no end.”

“But is it workable?” Thea wasn’t so sure, and although she applauded Tony’s decision in principle, the practical ramifications needed to be ironed out. “Tony offered Mr Malone his old job back. Is that post vacant?”

“Not exactly, but we do have another team leader vacancy in dispatch. Or we will, once the police have charged Shirley Reece with fraud.”

“Right, criminal charges would be deemed to justify a finding of gross misconduct, and therefore grounds for instant dismissal from the company with no further investigation required by us. Good thinking. And the contractual revisions?”

“Not a problem. In fact, we could just appoint Mr Malone on the flexitime arrangement you’ve been developing. It could be a pilot.”

Thea stopped to consider that suggestion. She’d been intending to introduce the new, family-friendly working arrangements over the coming months, and might as well start now. “Okay, do it that way then. Give me a shout if you need anything else from me.”

She ended the call and started to log off from her computer. It had been a long day and she was keen to find Tony and head for home. As though summoned by her thoughts his voice reached her from the outer office.

“Thea and I will be leaving soon. If Mr Peters from our accountants’ rings could you make an appointment in Thea’s diary for him? Next Tuesday or Friday should be fine.”

Thea couldn’t make out the mumbled reply, but she was reasonably certain that even though it had been a few hours ago Isabel would still be smarting from the earlier confrontation. Still, that was her problem.

“Ready for the off?” Tony entered the office, and she was struck, not for the first time, by the way he seemed to fill the space. He was a formidable presence, as Isabel had learnt this afternoon, when she crossed him.

Thea signalled for Tony to close the door, and when she was sure they wouldn’t be overheard she asked if Isabel was alright.

“Not really. She’s sulking.”

“Have you ever had a row like that with her before? You always seem to get on so well.”

He shook his head. “We don't always agree, that goes without saying. But she’s never gone up against me so directly before. Or been so bloody condescending. She spoke to us like we were a couple of naughty children, for fuck’s sake. I encourage people to say what they think, and I do listen. But I won’t put up with that.”

“No. Right. But she was probably surprised to see us… well, you know.”

“I get that. But we’re consenting adults, and this is my office. Yours too, for the duration. She’ll have to get used to it.”

“Even so, I’ll be a little less demonstrative next time you make a decision I agree with.”

“Well, that'd be a pity, but I suppose it’s your call. I, on the other hand, will have no compunction at all about instructing you to strip and kneel, if the occasion demands it. Though not in front of Isabel if we can help it of course.”

Thea grinned, her pussy clenching. She wanted to be at home. Quick. “So, is she still out there?” She did not relish the prospect of any further confrontation tonight.

“Coward. She was just putting her coat on. We’ll give her a couple of minutes, until the coast’s clear.”

“Are you avoiding her too, Mr diMarco?”

“I pick my battles, Mrs Richmond. And like you, I’ve had enough of them for today.”

“Right. A couple of minutes then.”

The sound of the door from Isabel’s office to the main corridor opening, then closing, was Thea’s signal to grab her coat. They were just about to leave when they heard the outer door opening again, this time more forcefully.

“Shit! Is she back?” Tony dumped his briefcase back on the desk and waited.

There was a loud knock on their office door.

“Come in.” They both called out together.

A breathless and distinctly flustered Eric Henderson bustled into the room. His overcoat was unbuttoned, flapping around his legs. He’d clearly been running. He clutched several crumpled sheets of paper in his hand.

“Eric, are you all right?” Tony pulled out Thea’s abandoned chair and gestured the man to sit. Eric did so, fanning himself with the papers he still grasped.

“I’ll get him a drink of water.” Thea headed for the dispenser in the corridor and returned a few moments later, a plastic cup of chilled water at the ready. Eric was no less dishevelled and agitated, but by now Tony’s face was ashen too. He held one of the Eric's sheets of paper in his hand, smoothed out somewhat, and was glaring at it.