CHAPTER
23
CHAPTER
23
Solomon Bellingham’s office door flung open and his swearing echoed off the walls. ‘Those fucking idiots want a written agreement.’ He gagged with anger, ‘A fucking agreement’ he blustered. ‘What the fuck do they think we’re running here; a boy scout’s club?’
Jacob Sawyer looked up from his computer screen. He knew the reason for his boss’s outburst because it was he who left a phoney message on the minister’s desk only minutes before his boss returned from lunch. A message that said Danieli Travioli had phoned to ask if Bellingham would sign an agreement to confirm his company would receive thirty percent of all profit from their business dealings. ‘Well you can tell him to get fucked. Tell the fool its an on-trust agreement. Take it or leave it.’ Bellingham threw the note at Jacob. ‘Fucking fool. Who does he think he is?’ he snorted and stormed back into his office, slamming the door behind him.
Jacob picked up the note and stared at it. He knew it was a long shot, but he'd decided it was worth a try. ‘Damn’ he muttered, knowing he’d have to find another way to get the proof he needed. He went back to his work, but found it impossible to concentrate. He realized he’d made a huge error of judgement. He’d acted in haste and created a situation that would leave him vulnerable. Bellingham was bound to take Travioli to task over the agreement request and he wouldn’t have a leg to stand on when they both challenged him over the fake message. An hour passed and the dread had not lifted, so he packed up his desk, emailed reception that he would be out until after five and then headed for the car park.
He drove downtown, to the Travioli building, parked in the small private lot and tried to come up with a reason for an unannounced visit. While he was staring up at the tower, he heard his named called. ‘Sawyer? How’s it going man?’ He looked up and saw Danieli Travioli grinning at him. He hadn’t noticed him pull in beside the Lexus.
The shock must have registered on his face because the contractor said ‘What’s up Sawyer? You look like you just ran over the family dog.’ Danieli asked with genuine concern. Jacob fought to recover his composure and returned the smile, knowing all
to well that it could easily be confused for a grimace. ‘Why don’t we go up stairs and you can tell me all about it. I’m guessing you’ve got some bad news for me.’ Jacob knew he had to play along; he had no excuse for being parked outside Travioli’s office. It was logical for Travioli to think he had come to visit him. Why else would a senior aide be in the neighbourhood? By the time they reached the top floor, Sawyer’s brow was dripping sweat. He dabbed his head with a handkerchief and tried desperately to think of something to say. His mind was blank.
‘Want a coffee?’
‘No. Thanks, but a water would be good.’
Danieli walked to the bar at the back of the office and took out two bottles of Evian. He handed one to Sawyer. ‘Wanna glass?’
‘No this is fine. Thanks.’
‘Take a seat.’ Danieli invited, pointing to the comfortable chairs.
‘Thanks.’ Sawyer looked around and chose the chair opposite the large desk. He couldn’t bring himself to sit where he and Bellingham had sat just days earlier.
‘So what’s up Sawyer? Your boss changed his mind?’
‘No. Not, at all. He’s as keen as ever, but he asked me to drop over to talk to you about how we’ll handle the tender process.'
‘Why for God’s sake? You place the ads, we bid, you allocate the work. Easy!’ Danieli frowned. ‘Isn’t that the way it goes? Same process as always; the process doesn’t change.’ He paused and studied Sawyer, ‘Or does it? Will the new tenders be different?’
‘No, they’ll be exactly the same as always. Only we want you to be careful with your costing. If you go too high it will be hard to knock out tenders that come in lower.’
‘Sawyer our tenders are always honest and fair. There will always be lower bids, but you know they’re usually from developers who don’t have our track record. Anyway we both know the government never lets price dictate the outcome. It always looks at
track record, reliability and ability to deliver on time.’ He settled back in his chair. ‘I don’t get it. Suddenly Bellingham’s worried about our costs.’ He studied Sawyer closely. ‘What’s really going on man?’