Chapter 11

Matt went into the office earlier than usual on Monday morning so that he could catch up. For several hours he ploughed his way through his post and in-tray. It was almost time for mid-morning tea break when Jerry burst into the office, clearly excited by something.

'She's left him!'

'What? Who?'

'Kelly Lakeland. She's left Roy.'

'Left him? What makes you say that?'

'He was in Brussels for a conference over the weekend. He got back this morning expecting her to greet him with open arms, and she wasn't there.'

'She might just be staying with friends.'

'Not likely. Roy said she always leaves a note when she's doing that. Besides, she's cleared out her wardrobes. There's not even a pair of shoes left in the house.'

'Seriously?'

'Straight up. And there's more. I've checked the company records. She's been gradually dumping her shares ever since the merger talks broke down. Clever thing to do really; I guess she didn't want to affect the share price too much. Anyway, she got rid of the last of them in one fell swoop on Thursday morning, after he'd left for the conference. She must have moved out over the weekend.'

Matt thought about what to say. Part of his heart was leaping for joy. Another part was terrified that he was about to be found out.

'Well, erm. I guess he deserved it. The way he spoke about her on the golf course made me sick.'

'I suppose he did. Still, poor guy, she'll probably try and divorce him and clean him out. I'll catch you later.'

When Jerry had left the room, Matt scrambled for his mobile phone and sent Kelly a text message asking if it was true. She normally replied immediately, but not this time. He was still waiting for a reply when Jerry returned an hour later with more news.

'Get this, Matt. Roy Lakeland went into his office after speaking to me this morning, and on his desk was a letter from his wife resigning as the company's financial director.'

'Never!'

'God's honest truth. She really has left him. I can't believe it.'

Matt's mobile rang. It was sitting on the desk in front of him and he could see on the screen that it was Kelly calling. He didn't answer.

'Aren't you going to get that?' Jerry couldn't possibly see who was calling from his position.

'No. It's no one.'

'Really?' Jerry leaned forward to view the screen. Matt snatched it away and hit the '—off' button.

'Did that say Kelly?' Jerry asked.

'No. Don't be silly. You didn't see it properly.'

'It did. Didn't it?'

As if his mind was working in slow motion, not wanting to see the full picture, Jerry put the pieces of the puzzle together and reached the right conclusion.

'Oh my god, Matt! She's your mystery woman. Isn't she? Shit. What have you done? If Roy finds out we'll lose the account for sure. Shit, Matt. What the fuck have you done?'

'Calm down, Jerry.'

'Calm down! Matt, you've been porking my client's wife, and you expect me to be calm. You've put both our partnerships, possibly even our jobs at risk. You do realise that, don't you? How could you be so stupid, Matt? If Maurice or David find out they'll go ballistic.'

'It's not like I've broken any rules, Jerry.'

'So you admit it?'

'I'm not admitting anything.'

'Jesus H Christ, Matt. What the hell have you done?'

Maurice walked into the office and closed the door deliberately behind him. He turned to address the two younger men.

'Gentlemen. I heard raised voices. It doesn't do for two of my brightest young associates, and potential partners I might add, to be fighting so openly. Especially when there are clients in the building. Would one of you care to tell me what's going on?'

Neither of them spoke.

'Mr. Marsden?'

Matt looked at his desk.

'Mr. McTaggart?'

Jerry looked from Maurice to Matt and back again. Matt could read what he was going through in his eyes. He had to decide between his friend of ten years, and his career. Jerry looked at Matt once more. Sweat was forming on his brow. Matt shook his head slowly, pleading without words for Jerry keep quiet.

'Tell me, Jerry, ' Maurice said.

Jerry mouthed the words I'm sorry to his friend then turned to Maurice. With profound sadness he said, 'Matt's been having an affair with Roy Lakeland's wife, and now she's walked out on him.'

'On Roy or on Matthew?'

'Roy.'

'I see. Is this true, Matthew?'

Matt glared at Jerry but said nothing.

'Mr. Marsden, I suggest it would be in your best interests to tell me the truth. We may then be able to resolve this matter without any unpleasantness.'

Matt thought for a second. 'With all due respect, Maurice, I believe that who I choose to spend time with outside office hours is none of the firm's business.'

'When it involves one of our most important clients, and a personal friend of mine, it is very much the firm's business.'

Matt said nothing.

'Do you know where Mrs. Lakeland might be? Perhaps you, or Mr McTaggart, could persuade her that it would be best to return to her husband and work on their marriage. He need never find out about your indiscretion. And we'll be in no danger of losing him as a client.'

Matt remained silent.

'For god's sake, Matt. Tell us where she is.'

'There's no need to shout Mr. McTaggart.' Maurice turned to Matt. 'I'll make this easy for you, shall I, Matthew? Either you tell us where we might find Kelly Lakeland, so that we can sort this out, or I shall consider your non co-operation and your sordid affair to be gross misconduct under the terms of your contract.'

'You mean you'll sack me?'

'If you prefer to put it that way.'

'Don't bother. I quit.'

'I urge you to think carefully, Matthew. You walk out now, and you'll be ending your career. I'll see to it you don't get a reference, and that you find it most difficult to work in this city again. Your reputation will be ruined.'

'Reference? You think I'm worried about a reference? Ever since you had my profile put in Chambers Guide I've had all sorts firms on the phone trying to hire me.'

Matt slammed the palm of his hand on the desk.