Take a Chance on Me

by Debbie Flint

  ‘Mac, I—’

  ‘Sorry, Sadie, got to pop out. I’ll come find you later.’

  ‘But, I—’

  ‘I’ll tell you everything when I see you.’

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘I promise.’ But she noted that he said it with his words, not with his eyes.

  Sadie watched him disappearing towards reception and frowned. A voice at her side suddenly made her jump.

  ‘I would imagine he’s off to consider how to raise the stakes, given how friendly Galloway seems to be with Tremain,’ said Alexis.

  ‘I thought Bill Galloway hated Tremain.’

  ‘I mean Peter Galloway. He’s been a busy little bee behind the scenes and no mistake. He’s the one that’s put a fly in the ointment somehow. Certainly unethical, letting Tremain turn up like that today.’

  ‘It was all Peter’s doing then?’

  ‘You’ve probably already heard this from Mac, but yes. Flew in early this morning, the heli-pilot said.’

  Of course, Alexis would just have to be the one to know all this. Sadie’s eyebrow flickered slightly.

  ‘From what I could tell, anyway,’ Alexis continued, ‘Peter Galloway likes to feel in control. He was telling me this morning before the tour that he’s always been in the shadow of his father. Hard to live up to. So bringing in Tremain is his perfect opportunity.’

  ‘But we were so close to signing.’

  ‘Honey, at this level of the game, nothing’s a “done deal” till the deal is done. Ain’t nothing signed till the ink’s dry.’

  Sadie’s shoulders slumped. ‘Dammit.’

  ‘But you know,’ the leggy, blonde, ‘small print-handler’ continued, a glimmer of something mischievous in her eyes. ‘If only there was some way to convince Galloway junior. Why if I wasn’t engaged, I’d give that man an offer he just couldn’t refuse …’ and she pointedly looked at Sadie, before sashaying away.

  Sadie watched her go.

  ‘Oh, well, could be worse,’ said Graham suddenly joining her, with Derek close behind. ‘If you ask me, it looks like they just want time to go through the new proposals in depth.’

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Derek. ‘Could be the liquidity ratios, could be the …’ He kept on talking but Sadie’s mind had stopped listening, and was working overtime running through the facts – but nothing added up.

  Bill Galloway should have been pleased – just the final due diligence and the first vital funds would be made available well within his thirty day deadline. That was what he’d asked for, wasn’t it? But Bill’s face too had been unreadable and instead of signing the heads of terms for the deal, as everyone expected, he’d disappeared right after the meeting, walking straight off, even ignoring Mac. Sadie didn’t get a chance to say one word to him, let alone shmooze him.

  Peter Galloway, the renegade son, however, was loving his moment in the spotlight, holding court and spouting off as if he’d already usurped his father. And he was now coming towards her across the room. Next to her, Graham and Derek were having a debate about equity splits and Peter gestured for Sadie to join him.

  Looking around, Mac was nowhere to be seen, and Sadie found herself thinking the unthinkable.

  Was there anything she could do?

  It had to be worth a try.

  If, somehow, she could get Peter Galloway back on their side, his father would maybe follow. It was now or never. She wouldn’t do what Alexis was implying, but what could she do?

  ‘Peter, take a walk with me,’ she said, holding up her arm and beaming at him.

  ‘Funny, I was about to ask you exactly the same thing.’ They went out into the flower-filled gardens for an early evening stroll before dinner.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mac returned just as Sadie’s back was disappearing out the door.

  ‘Graham, Derek, where’s Sadie going?’

  ‘Just gone outside to take some air with young mister Galloway, I believe, Mr Anderson.’

  ‘With Peter Galloway?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Take these notes, lads. You’ve got some urgent work to do.’ Mac passed over a blue folder to Derek, who immediately brightened. ‘Simon will explain everything.’

  ‘Yes, sir. It’s all systems g-go again then, is it, sir?’

  ‘Just read the notes and get cracking. There’s no time to lose. Ask Simon about any further questions you have. He’s jetting in urgently this evening.’

  ‘Yes, sir, of c-course, sir.’

  ‘Excuse me,’ said a bellboy as the lads left. ‘The limo is ready and waiting for you at the front entrance.’

  ‘Thanks, please tell them to wait. Ms Turner and I will be there shortly.’

  Mac followed Sadie outside along the flower-filled, fragrant garden paths and was very careful to stay in the shadows some way behind. He trailed her into an ornamental garden, before getting close enough to hear snippets of their conversation from an alcove behind a big bush. He stood there, frowning. What the hell is she up to?

  He was about to find out.

  ‘The thing is, Sadie, I am glad of what you tell me but your UK scientists should be impressed with their early results – it’s no big news to me. Of course, if you actually provided me with full copies of their impressive preliminary tests, that would be even better.’

  ‘Sorry, Peter, it’s not protocol.’

  Their voices were very close together, and Mac strained to see through the branches of the bush. His fears were confirmed. Peter Galloway was arm in arm with Sadie, walking slowly round a little ornamental pond. Too close for my liking, he thought. Maybe there’s a whole other side to Ms Sadie Turner.

  Sadie’s shoulders were slumped and it looked to Mac as though she’d been hoping for a different outcome to whatever conversation they’d been having – he’d only caught the tail end.

  ‘Hmm, I understand. They are keen to do the research – as they should be. It will be an accolade for them.’

  ‘Yes, but they need to know they’re dealing with a bona fide operation, not a bunch of mavericks who may undermine their chance at conducting proper research,’ said Sadie.

  ‘And whom would you be referring to?’

  ‘Just from what you said about how it’s currently being sold in the stores … by Tremain’s people …’

  ‘If you’re looking for a maverick, turn your eyes to Anderson’s camp. You need to research your ally a little more thoroughly, Sadie. You might be surprised at what you find.’

  ‘Mac’s been nothing but straight with me,’ Sadie said, lifting her shoulders.

  Mac smiled behind the bushes.

  ‘Are you quite sure about that?’ Galloway asked, a sinister tone to his voice. ‘I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Just as he looks at all other women.’

  Sadie blushed.

  Damn the man. Mac gritted his teeth. He watched as Galloway turned to face her and held her arms.

  ‘He’s a playboy, Sadie. People like you are playground fodder for him. Don’t be fooled, he’s not in it for you. He’s in it for the money, just like Tremain. At least Tremain is up front about it.’

  ‘Peter, I never thought I’d say this, but you may be right.’

  Mac blinked, amazed at her response. What was he hearing?

  ‘I am right.’

  ‘But that raises a very important point,’ she went on. ‘And that point is who’s the most likely to follow through? To do it right? This is business, after all. Don’t underestimate Mac’s determination – he’s already recompensed the research teams for their early work – without even a contract. They’re already happy to work with him.’

  ‘If the UK team don’t do the studies, we will find others who will. Others who could be more easily … persuaded … to work our way, shall we s
ay.’

  ‘Hang on, who said anything about—’

  ‘Don’t worry your pretty little head on the matter, Sadie,’ Galloway smarmed.

  He probably shouldn’t have said that, thought Mac. Sadie’s eyes had narrowed.

  ‘I worry my pretty little head about it, Peter, because your father asked me to. Because he had faith in me – that’s what he told me. He said he “saw” me working with him, being involved in setting up the deal.’

  ‘Ahh, my father’s visions. Yes, Sadie, I’ve listened to them all my life. Sadly, they are not as strong as they used to be – the local police stopped coming to him for help with their unsolved cases, some time ago. And he has been suffering lately – he gets tired. And you see, what with the latest developments, it might mean that the other … options … on the table, may now be preferable to ease cash flow.’

  ‘But your father was very clear he wanted to give me a chance first.’

  ‘Well, there are some offers that are too good to refuse,’ Galloway continued. ‘As your precious Mac has probably told you – Tremain’s offer may change everything.’

  Sadie looked confused.

  ‘Ahh, he didn’t tell you, did he?’

  Goddam.

  Sadie ignored Galloway and just crossed her arms, shaking free of his grip.

  ‘The commotion in the production plant this morning?’

  ‘Yes, indeed. That “commotion” may well bring my father – and our business – exactly what it needs, and all because of me. And if it does, my father will know that I am the one who has made this deal happen, not – with all due respect to you and your talents – one of his infamous “hunches”. He thought I couldn’t do it, but he was wrong.’ Galloway was ranting now, pacing a little in front of Sadie. ‘You brought Anderson, with all his due diligence, red tape and cronies. I brought Tremain himself, with proven sales, and a new offer that’s hard to refuse.’

  ‘As is Mac’s. Not many people would be able to fund the deal so fast.’

  ‘Well, not even Mac can do what Tremain has offered.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘Tremain has moved the goalposts. He is offering up-front royalties to FrishCo if my father agrees to do the deal with him, not Anderson. In cash. Now.’

  Sadie frowned. ‘A bribe?’

  ‘A legitimate incentive, Sadie. Unusual, but not unethical. Royalties based on their future sales of Frish, that’s all, but paid out way before they’re due. It reinforces just how confident Tremain is of success. And it’s very timely. With the pressure off cash flow, it allows my father to think things over. He has gone to lie down.’

  ‘Is he okay?’

  ‘It is time for his medicines and he just needs to rest. In fact, he needs to step out of the limelight for a while. A man of his age finds it exhausting.’

  ‘He seemed okay at lunch.’

  ‘Nevertheless, one day he will step down permanently. And I will, of course, be standing by.’

  ‘Of course you will,’ Sadie snipped. ‘So, let me get this right, the race against time is off?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘So no more thirty days?’ Sadie looked incredulous.

  ‘No more thirty days. You didn’t know? You didn’t know that either?’

  Sadie looked away. Mac shrunk back further into the bushes in case she spotted him straining to hear.

  ‘And may I ask what Bill himself has to say about all this? I’d like to hear it from him.’

  ‘You will, my dear Sadie, if this evening’s meeting goes according to plan, you will.’

  ‘Who with? Tremain? He’s meeting Bill tonight? After everything we did this afternoon?’

  Now it was Galloway’s turn to shrug. ‘I can’t possibly reveal.’

  Mac swallowed heavily. He looked at his watch. No time to lose.

  ‘You may not know this,’ Galloway continued, ‘being so new to the game, but the world of business is cutthroat. It takes a special kind of person to understand the rules.’

  Sadie’s eyes narrowed to a slit.

  Oooops, thought Mac.

  ‘Well, no one’s quite as “special” as you, Peter, are they? Do tell me more.’

  Oh oh. Mac smiled, but Galloway continued, oblivious to Sadie’s sarcasm.

  ‘Our product is a phenomenon. It will take the world by storm. Whatever the outcome of these initial negotiations.’ His voice was rising, and he turned Sadie round by the arms to face him, placing his hands on her shoulders and getting a little too close for Mac’s comfort.

  ‘Don’t you see? Money men get a taste of this water and what it can do, they see the numbers, and they want part of it. They can smell the success, feel it in their bones. Tremain has seen it first-hand too. He’s a money man through and through, and money men by their nature, will stop at nothing. Why do you think Anderson agreed to turn this around so fast?’

  ‘Mac’s certainly got a one-track mind where business is concerned,’ she said.

  Mac shook his head a little in disbelief, his eyes wide open. What was coming next?

  ‘And where you’re concerned,’ Galloway added.

  ‘Hardly.’

  ‘Anderson needs you much more than you need him or his money.’ The young man’s voice was filled with spite. ‘And after you hear what I have to say next, you might agree with me.’

  Sadie cast her eyes downwards. ‘I’m not sure I want to hear.’

  ‘Listen to me. Your loyalty is commendable, but how long ago did you actually meet? He is a loner, and does his own thing. Do you know his full story?’

  ‘No, I—’

  ‘You are a family person. We are a family business and we need solid family people. Like you. That’s partly what appealed to my father about you in the first place.’

  ‘You may be right, Peter, I haven’t known Mac for long. But it’s irrelevant. We’re getting off the point. For Frish to work there’s a strict protocol involved.’

  ‘I am sorry,’ he replied, stiffening up. ‘I do not mean to be facetious, but we are reinventing the protocol. We are already spreading the word, and achieving great sales, are we not?’

  Sadie visibly bristled. ‘But we discussed this at dinner, Peter. Frish needs to be handled carefully, very carefully.’

  ‘Very well, my dear. Let’s say the studies will definitely happen – if they are indeed so crucial. But as for who does them? Well, it could be you. Imagine the kudos. Would you like that?’

  ‘I think you know my answer to that one.’

  ‘Ah yes – once the eager little scientist, always the eager little scientist.’

  Mac watched for Sadie’s cutting retort, but she was keeping her calm.

  ‘Why do you think your father gave me this chance?’

  ‘A hunch. Intuition. Who knows.’

  ‘It’s because of my credentials. I can cut years off the process. If you go with Tremain you may ruin everything. Everything.’

  ‘Leave behind this mask of righteous indignation, and listen to what I have to say. I have some news for you. After our long discussion today, I persuaded Mr Tremain that because of the results of your preliminary studies – which I told him were confidential and could not be shared yet – it appears they may be more valuable and more speedy than anyone imagined. That’s what I told him.’ Peter smiled – the irony wasn’t lost on Sadie.

  Sadie looked incredulous. ‘So why are you—’

  ‘I listened to you, Sadie the scientist. And I used it to my advantage. He is now taking your involvement seriously. Very seriously. All because of me.’

  ‘Well, I …’ Sadie wasn’t sure what to say. Galloway cut her off again. Mac was still behind the bush straining to hear and going redder and redder with anger.

  ‘And your studies and your sc
ientists will now become an integral part of his offer to my father, to FrishCo. Sure, he also told my father this morning that unless he seriously considered this new offer, he was going to put an immediate stop to all current distribution and delay the payments due.’

  ‘He what?’ she asked, suddenly understanding why everything had gone so very ‘not’ according to plan today.

  ‘Tremain is a businessman. He drives a hard bargain, what can I say? One day when I run FrishCo I will take his lead and be just as ruthless. God knows those lazy workers deserve to be taken down a peg or two. And as for you?’ He moved closer towards Sadie and she stood her ground.

  Mac nearly burst trying not to miss a word.

  ‘Well, Miss Turner, we have an offer for you. And I would advise you to accept what I am about to give you. It will pay you – literally – to keep on the right side of Philip Tremain. And Peter Galloway.’

  Mac thought his heart might stop as he waited to hear what was next.

  ‘And if I don’t like his offer?’

  ‘Oh, a woman like you is sure to like it.’

  Again, no reaction from Sadie. What the …? Mac’s heart began to pound out of his chest.

  ‘You can indeed choose to accept Tremain’s offer, or refuse it. If you refuse and Tremain gets the contract anyway, if your precious university contacts accept their offer too, then we will consider our options. Your currency will be worth much less then. For my father, you were essential. For me you are a “nice to have” – in more ways than one, Miss Turner.’

  ‘You make it sound as though I’m disposable. What happened to Bill’s prediction?’

  ‘It seems Tremain’s offer may help him “see” things slightly differently.’

  Sadie looked dejected.

  ‘And I?’ Galloway continued, nudging Sadie’s chin back up with his finger. ‘I’m not so sure we couldn’t just get a local laboratory to do some simple studies and have done with it. That way you and I could have a slightly … different … arrangement.’

  Mac leaned forwards to get a better view through the bushes and saw Galloway play with the ends of one of Sadie’s blonde locks. His gut wrenched.