Cat O'Nine Tales and Other Stories - Jeffrey Archer [24]
“Congratulations,” said Sam. “How much will that be worth to you?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m wondering if you’re not the only person who’s hoping that the deal will go through.”
“Around sixty million—” Dick hesitated—”for the company.”
“And do you still own fifty-one percent of the shares?”
“Yes, but I could always hide—”
“Don’t even think about it,” said Sam. “You won’t be able to hide anything if Symonds is on the case. He’ll sniff out every last penny, like a pig hunting for truffles. And if the court were to discover that you attempted to deceive them, it would only make the judge more sympathetic to your wife.” The senior partner paused, looked directly at his client, and repeated, “Don’t even think about it.”
“So what should I do?”
“Nothing that will arouse suspicion; go about your business as usual, as if you have no idea what she’s up to. Meanwhile, I’ll fix a consultation with counsel, so at least we’ll be better prepared than Mr. Symonds will be anticipating. And one more thing,” said Sam, once again looking directly at his client, “no more extramarital activities until this problem has been resolved. That’s an order.”
Dick kept a close eye on his wife during the next few days, but she gave no sign of there being anything untoward. If anything, she showed an unusual interest in how the trip to St. Petersburg had gone, and over dinner on Thursday evening even asked if the board had come to a decision.
“They most certainly have,” Dick replied emphatically. “Once Sam had taken the directors through each clause, gone over every detail, and answered all of their questions, they virtually rubber-stamped the contract.” Dick poured himself a second cup of coffee. He was taken by surprise by his wife’s next question.
“Why don’t I join you when you go to St. Petersburg? We could fly out on the Friday,” she added, “and spend the weekend visiting the Hermitage and the Summer Palace. We might even find enough time to see Catherine’s amber collection—something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Dick didn’t reply immediately, aware that this was not a casual suggestion as it had been years since Maureen had accompanied him on a business trip. Dick’s first reaction was to wonder what she was up to. “Let me think about it,” he eventually responded, leaving his coffee to go cold.
Dick rang Sam Cohen within minutes of arriving at his office and reported the conversation to his lawyer.
“Symonds must have advised her to witness the signing of the contract,” suggested Cohen.
“But why?”
“So that Maureen will be able to claim that over the years she has played a leading role in your business success, always being there to support you at those critical moments in your career ...”
“Balls,” said Dick, “she’s never taken any interest in how I make my money, only in how she can spend it.”
“... and therefore she must be entitled to fifty percent of your assets.”
“But that could amount to over thirty million pounds,” Dick protested.
“Symonds has obviously done his homework.”
“Then I’ll simply tell her that she can’t come on the trip. It’s not appropriate.”
“Which will allow Mr. Symonds to change tack. He’ll then portray you as a heartless man, who, the moment you became a success, cut his client out of your life, often traveling abroad, accompanied by a secretary who—”
“OK, OK, I get the picture. So allowing her to come to St. Petersburg might well prove to be the lesser of two evils.”
“On the one hand ...” counseled Sam.
“Bloody lawyers,” said Dick before he could finish the sentence.
“Funny how you only need us when you’re in trouble,” Sam rejoined. “So let’s make sure that this time we anticipate her next move.”
“And what’s that likely to be?”
“Once she’s got you to St. Petersburg, she’ll want to have sex.”
“We haven’t had sex for years.”
“And not because I haven’t wanted to, m’lord.”
“Oh, hell,” said Dick, “I can’t win.”
“You can as long as you don’t follow Lady Longford’s advice—when asked if she had ever considered divorcing