Soliman, Wendy - The Name of the Game (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Wendy Soliman

  “Never explain and never apologize?”

  “Exactly,” he said in a wry tone.

  “So you didn’t explain my call, and she didn’t ask about it?”

  “Nope.” He paused. “Hey, she’s winning. Do you realize we’ve been talking for several minutes, only about her? I haven’t even reminded you that I love you yet.”

  “No, you haven’t. Worse, I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Well, let me put that right straight away. I love you, Ashley Wilde, even if you have a bit to learn yet about the art of telephone sex.”

  Ashley giggled. “I thought you needed to lighten up a bit.”

  “Lighten up. I almost came in my pants, just listening to you.”

  “Glad to oblige.”

  “When I get my hands on you, you’ll more than oblige.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “What happened at the hospital?” he asked. Who’s the systems analyst?”

  “Claire Slattery. Do you know her?”

  “Name rings a bell. Tall, blonde—”

  “That would be her. But, Matt, her husband Paul was one of Charlie’s top salesmen—”

  “Until he punched Charlie’s lights out, apparently.” Matt laughed. “Wonder what provoked him.”

  “Claire told me Charlie was arrogant—”

  “I think we’ve already establish that for ourselves.”

  “Quite, but then Claire went into labour and I could hardly continue cross questioning her, so I took her to hospital instead.”

  “Is she all right?”

  “Yes. I got a call from her husband this morning. She had a record short labour and gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy.”

  “Good.” Matt chuckled. “Miss Marple you ain’t, sweetheart, given the lengths some people go to in order to avoid talking to you.”

  “You’re right. She knew why I was there and didn’t want to let me in. I didn’t get round to actually telling her what I wanted, but she definitely knew. I could tell because her body language was so defensive, like she had something to hide and was trying to square it with her conscience. She was dead frightened. I wonder if that’s what made her go into labour early. I feel guilty about that.”

  “She’s probably grateful to you, now that it’s all over.”

  “But grateful enough to open up? That’s the question.”

  “Ah, well—”

  “They’re really hard up since Paul got sacked. I assume he didn’t get a reference, so he’s wasting his talent, working as a security guard.”

  “Hmm, so if they were short of cash and had a baby of the way, Claire would probably be amenable to altering a few records.”

  “Yes, but it doesn’t make sense. Charlie sacks her husband and then bribes her to do his dirty work. The Claire I knew would have told him to go to hell, regardless of how much she needed the money.”

  “Parenthood does strange things to a person.”

  “Yes, well, I wouldn’t know about that.”

  “Sorry, sweetheart. Didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”

  “I know you didn’t.” Ashley expelled a long breath. “Don’t worry about it. Anyway, I’ll have to put the whole Claire thing on the back burner for the time being. Can’t accost her again at a time like this.”

  “No, I guess not, but we need to do something about those bloody claims. Time’s running out. If I don’t get back to the policyholders’ relatives soon, they’ll contact the ombudsman, and then we’ll be stuffed.”

  “I know. Don’t forget I still have that doctor to interrogate on Wednesday.”

  “Ash, that’s a seriously bad idea.”

  “You just said we had to do something. If I rattle her tree a bit, ask a few incisive questions, we might be surprised by what falls out.”

  “That’s what worries me. A doctor could be struck off for falsifying records. If she thinks you’re onto her, she might do something desperate.”

  “Now you’re just being silly.”

  “No, angel, I’m just worried like hell about the woman I love.”

  “Aw, that’s so sweet.” Ashley blew a kiss down the phone. “Don’t worry, I’ll be discreet.”

  Matt chortled. “That’ll be the day.”

  “Look, I’d better let you go.”

  “What, no sexy comments this morning?”

  “It’s not so much fun when you can retaliate.”

  “You sound down, Ash. Are you okay?”

  “No. If you want the truth, I’m completely freaked out by your wife’s wacky behaviour.”

  “Hang in there. I’ll be there on Wednesday, and somehow we’ll get some time together.”

  “How’s that being careful? Flaunting our relationship in the town where she lives.”

  “Hell if I know, but I can’t stay away. Believe me, I’ve tried, and it just doesn’t work.”

  “Think before you act. We’ve come too far to blow it all now. Don’t take any notice of me. I’m just feeling a bit guilty about Claire, I guess.”

  “Well, don’t. No one died. Besides, if she is helping Charlie, then she only has herself to blame.”

  “Thanks for trying to make me feel better.”

  “All part of the service, ma’am.”

  “Let’s talk later. I have to go. I’ve got a breakfast meeting with Stella.”

  “Ah, so the real brains behind the operation get their heads together at last. I have every confidence that the two of you will have this nut cracked by lunchtime.”

  Ashley laughed. “Wish I shared your confidence. We’ll both be trying to protect our patches. Comes with the territory.”

  “Don’t I just know it!”

  Okay, have a good day. Love you.”

  “You too.”

  “Just make sure you know where your wretched wife is before you call me later.”

  “I will.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Good morning. I’m Ashley Wilde. I have an appointment with Dr. Simpson.”

  The receptionist replaced her phone, ignoring it when it immediately rang again. “You’ve not been here before?”

  “No, I’m just in the area temporarily.”

  “You’ll still need to fill this out.”

  Ashley took a clipboard from the woman and quickly completed her details on the form attached to it.

  “Thanks,” the receptionist said. “Take a seat, please. It’s the doctor’s first day back from holiday, and she’s running a bit behind.”

  Ashley glanced at her watch and groaned. Just her luck. The big meeting was at ten. She couldn’t be late. “How long is the wait?”

  “A good half an hour, I’m afraid.” The receptionist shrugged. “You know how it is. People might think they’re at death’s door,” she said, lowering her voice, “but they still save up their illnesses until they can see a doctor they trust.”

  “Well, if I’d known she was just back from holiday, I would have—”

  “She shouldn’t be. She wasn’t due back until next week but rang me and said I could start scheduling people in again from today onward.”

  “Really! She must be dedicated to cut her holiday short.”

  “I’ve no idea why she did.”

  “Well, I’m sorry to add to the doctor’s burden, but as I’m here.” Ashley dredged up a winsome smile. “I’ll only need five minutes.”

  The receptionist eyed Ashley’s smart new gray pin-striped power suit. She’d nipped to the shops and treated herself to it yesterday, teaming it with a pink camisole and gray high heels.

  This first business meeting between the directors and senior staff from both sides was a big deal, and no way would she appearing in anything that Eve had handled. Besides, she knew the suit looked good—it damned well should since it had almost bankrupted her—and gave her confidence a much needed boost. She’d even managed to tame her rebellious hair into an elegant chignon.

  “You look as though you need to be somewhere important,” the receptionist said
.

  “I do.”

  “Okay, I’ll see if I can squeeze you in ahead of someone else,” she said dubiously.

  “I’d really appreciate it.”

  “It’s okay, love,” she said, lowering her voice even more and still ignoring the ringing phones, “most of this lot don’t have anywhere else to be.”

  Ashley thanked her and moved into the waiting room. The only remaining seat was between a mother with a fractious infant on her lap and an obese man in need of a bath. She squeezed herself into it and tried to ignore both of them. Not so easily achieved since the child kept reaching out sticky fingers to touch her precious new jacket and the man didn’t even pretend that he wasn’t ogling her breasts. Ashley flipped through an out of date magazine, frequently glancing at her watch, thinking about Matt. They’d barely spoken since their last conversation. Either she or Matt were in meetings, or Eve was clinging to him.

  Matt had arrived in Southampton last night, but they’d only managed a brief two-minute conversation whilst Eve was in the shower.

  On the point of giving up on the doctor, Ashley’s name was called forty minutes later. Several people glared at her accusingly, aware that she’d come in after them. She ignored them and went to the consulting room the receptionist directed her toward. An attractive woman whom she recognized from the web picture stood and offered her hand. She looked harried. There were bags under her eyes, and her professional smile didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Sorry about the wait,” she said. “It’s always mad around here, but after a holiday, it’s just plain crazy.”

  “No problem. I’m just grateful that you could see me at all.”

  “What can I do for you, Ms. Wilde?”

  “Well, I’m on temporary assignment for my company and came down without my thyroid medication.” Ashley rolled her eyes. “Stupid, I know, but I was in a rush and I can’t function without it.”

  “No problem. I’m sure we can resolve that.” The doctor also eyed her smart suit. “You look like a woman to be reckoned with. What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Ashley didn’t mind at all.

  “I work for Interactive Assurance. I’m general office manager.”

  “Oh, I see.” The doctor appeared taken aback. “That’s quite a responsibility.”

  Ashley smiled. “And some.”

  “Roll up your sleeve, please. I’ll just check your blood pressure.”

  “Do you have many patients with us?” Ashley asked.

  “A few, I guess.” She glanced up from the blood pressure cuff, no longer meeting Ashley’s eye. “Why do you ask?”

  “No reason. It’s just that I think one of yours sadly left us a few weeks ago.”

  “Oh yes? Who was that?”

  “A Mrs. Dawson.”

  “Yes, that came as quite a surprise, poor woman.”

  Ashley watched the doctor carefully. If she had made that original medical report disappear, then she would have shown some reaction at the mention of Mrs. Dawson’s name, especially when speaking to an authority figure from the company she’s helped to defraud. Ashley had had plenty of experience, dealing with members of her staff—such as Maria Spendlove—when they attempted get one over on her. This woman was more intelligent, and presumably better at covering her reactions, but Ashley would stake her bank balance on her not being responsible for disappearing reports. But she definitely knew something wasn’t right. The moment Ashley told her where she worked, her entire attitude became guarded.

  Either her husband was the guilty party, or someone else in the two practices was…well, doctoring the records. What possibility was there of Charlie having tame moles inside both organisations? Virtually zero.

  No, it had to be Dr. Andrews.

  Five minutes later Ashley left the surgery clutching a prescription she didn’t need and rushed to her car as fast as her heels would permit. She had ten minutes to cover a journey that would take at least that long, park her car, pick up her papers, and get to the meeting that she’d spent months preparing for.

  No way would she be on time.

  Ashley barged into the conference room ten minutes late, red-faced and totally embarrassed when everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her. It was clear that the meeting hadn’t yet started, and there was only one vacant chair. They were waiting for her.

  “Sorry,” she said breathlessly. “I was unavoidably detained.”

  She didn’t look at Matt but was conscious of him, seated at the head of the table alongside Giles Yardley from Stevenson’s. His gaze rested on her, his eyes widening slightly as they took in her new suit. He inclined his head briefly in silent approval.

  “Glad you could make it,” Charlie remarked.

  “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

  Ashley glanced at Matt’s rival as she spoke. Everyone else round the table appeared alert—almost tense. Not Charlie. He’d tipped his chair back on two legs and looked totally relaxed, like this was no big deal and he’d quite like to get it over with. Well, he could afford to relax, she thought resentfully, still convinced she could smell the body odour from the man she’d been squashed next to in that doctor’s waiting room, polluting her ruinously expensive new suit. And to add insult to injury, it looked as though she’d suffered that ignominy for nothing. The way things were going, Charlie’s plan would work out just as…well, just as he’d planned. If that happened, Matt’s reputation would be left in tatters, and he would come out of this merger second best, always assuming he avoided a jail sentence for rigging death claims.

  Ashley nodded to Stella and took the vacant seat next to her. She removed papers from her briefcase and arranged them in front of her, straightening her shoulders as she did so. She glanced at Matt, and their eyes briefly clashed. The exchange reminded her of what was at stake, stiffening her resolve. She’d be damned if she’d just sit back and let Charlie ruin everything that Matt had worked so hard to achieve.

  Matt called the meeting to order, and Ashley strived to concentrate. A lot of horse trading and jockeying for position was about to take place, and she owed it to her employees to fight their corner. Every so often, her gaze fell on Charlie, mainly because she could sense him watching her. He looked so complacently smug that she wanted to throttle him. There had to be a way that she could undermine his sabotage without him knowing.

  She drummed a pen on the pad in front of her as Peter Templeton droned on about the need for ruthlessness. Easy for him to say. His position was secure, no matter what happened. She tuned out and returned her thoughts to Charlie. What were his weaknesses? Where would be the best point of attack? How was he keeping in touch with the people doing the dirty work for him? One thing Ashley knew for certain, he wouldn’t be soiling his own hands.

  Then it came to her, just as Matt called upon Interactive’s systems manager to give his report. Subconscious transference of ideas, she supposed. A noise must have escaped her lips because Matt turned toward her.

  “Did you want to say something, Ashley?”

  “Oh no, sorry. Something just occurred to me that I need to add to my report, that’s all.”

  Several people flashed quizzical looks her way. She hadn’t performed to her usual standard thus far, and she clearly wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. She dropped her head and scribbled non-meaningful notes on her pad to avoid their scrutiny, berating herself because Charlie’s weakness hadn’t occurred to her earlier. He was pretty good at most things he did but—unusually for this day and age—was virtually computer illiterate. He could just about cope with e-mail, but she’d once heard him say how much he distrusted that means of communication because anyone who knew what they were doing could find a way to hack into it. So, if Charlie was keeping a record of his shenanigans, it would be committed to paper somewhere. Somewhere he considered safe. The most obvious place would be in his home. If that was where it was, then Ashley was stymied because she had no chance of getting to it there. But he did keep a
drawer in his office permanently locked and the keys continuously about his person. She knew because she’d seen him open it once or twice and she’d heard his secretary jokingly say that he must keep the secret details of his love life locked away in there.

  “Ashley,” Matt said, “it’s your turn.”

  As Ashley stood up to make her presentation, she’d already reached a decision. Whilst the directors were having lunch today—a lunch from which lesser mortals such as herself were excluded—she’d wait for his secretary to go to lunch, let herself into Charlie’s office and somehow get into that drawer.

  The only problem was that she’d be expected to help entertain Stella and the rest of the Stevenson’s bunch not included in the directors circle to lunch in a private room off the staff restaurant. How could she get out of that? Now that she’d decided to make this move against Charlie, she couldn’t afford to wait. He wasn’t often out of the office at the same time as Gloria, and Ashley didn’t have the luxury of time on her side.

  “Are you all right, Ashley?” Stella asked during a break in proceedings. “You look a bit flushed.”

  “Time of the month,” she said, grimacing. “Plus, I just came from a doctor’s appointment.” Well, that was true enough, anyway. “That’s why I was late.”

  “Oh, nothing serious, I hope.”

  “No, but if you don’t think I’m rude, I’m not sure I can face lunch in any form today.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I really ought to get back to the office, anyway. I have a ton of stuff to catch up with.”

  “Thanks. We’ll get together next week, if you like, just the two of us and thrash a few things out.”

  “We’ll probably achieve a sight more on our own than this lot did today,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “No arguments there.”

  She shook hands with Stella and slipped away as soon as the meeting broke up. Matt tried to catch her eye, but she pretended not to see him. She’d been acting strangely, which would worry him, and he’d also want to know how she got on with the doctor. She didn’t have time to tell him. Nor did she want him to know what she planned to do with Charlie’s desk, just in case he tried to talk her out of it.