Julia lay in bed, awake, lonely. There was a deathly silence and she longed for some natural noise, like traffic or even children playing. It was only nine o’clock and she had chosen to go to bed rather than watch TV with the others. She could see them now, their bleak expressions, bickering over what to watch. Considering how much the program cost, you would expect the rooms to at least have their own TV. The décor was depressing, the staff humourless. It was hard to stay positive.
Cherie had come to visit yesterday. She’d brought some magazines and chocolate. Julia appreciated her thoughtfulness but she was sick of reading. Now that she spent so much time with the dregs of society, she saw Cherie in a new light. She had always dismissed her understated good looks, her inner confidence, her happiness. She glowed against the backdrop of the drab visitors’ room. Julia felt a sudden surge of envy and couldn’t bring herself to talk with her. Cherie left, looking hurt, after just twenty minutes of one-way conversation.
Julia wondered what Robert was doing. Was he worried about her? She ached to see him, to touch him, to have the chance to obliterate what had happened on her second and last night in Sydney. She still had another two weeks to get through before she got out. She wasn’t sure if she would make it. The pressure from the group was getting stronger. Amy was there whenever she turned around, sickeningly supportive, trying to force her to admit she was one of them.
Claire also had a sleepless night, possible explanations then painful condemnation taking turns at dominating her thoughts.
Maybe the company will think I’ve been professionally negligent and I’ll get fired for letting those cheques get through. Robert knows I’m a cheque signatory … He must have been laughing at my stupidity. Did he have an affair with me so I wouldn’t guess? Would he have gone that far to cover his tracks?
It was 2.00 am and she was wide awake. She felt emotionally disorientated, whipped from happiness to despair, all without the courtesy of a warning.
Why did he do this to me? How could I be so wrong in my judgement of him? Am I totally blind?
It was pointless lying in bed. She got up and went into the darkness of the living room. She turned on the TV, muting the volume so it wouldn’t wake Fiona.
What do I do? Who will I tell? Robert would be the first person I’d approach if this was about someone other than him. Steve Ryan is in Melbourne. I guess I could talk to David. He’s the HR manager. He’ll know what to do. I’ll call him straight away when I get in.
The morning seemed so far away when she desperately needed the answers now. She watched the screen – the expressions of the guests on the talk show were hypnotising without the distraction of sound. When she looked at her watch again, it was 4.00 am. She had to go back to bed, get some sleep.
What will David say? Will he laugh in my face and tell me I’m being ridiculous, accusing a senior vice-president of fraud? Should I tell him about my relationship with Robert?
The questions went on and on. She finally drifted into a light sleep and the alarm went off what seemed like minutes later. The nausea was immediate, before she even opened her eyes. The claws of a severe headache gripped her forehead, making the slightest movement painful. She dragged herself out of bed, her fingers shaking as she struggled to free two aspirin from their stubborn container. She wanted to be clear-headed and lucid when she spoke to David, not nervous and tired. She focused on getting ready for work. The smell of Fiona’s toast wafted through the flat and she felt her stomach lurch.
‘I’ll see you later.’ Claire paused at the kitchen door on her way out.
Fiona was cradling her coffee, standing over the toaster. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘I don’t know … I don’t know if I should talk to Robert or David.’
‘Who’s David?’ Fiona ignored her toast when it popped.
‘The HR manager … I thought I had decided on David last night but I’m confused now again.’
‘What can you gain from talking to Robert?’ Fiona asked sharply. ‘Of course he’ll deny it. You’re letting your relationship with him get in the way of your professional judgement.’ Then, seeing Claire’s face, she softened. ‘Good luck. And let me know what happens.’
Claire got to work just after nine, giving Audrey a brisk greeting on her way in. She hurried through the Finance department with a busy smile, telling them indirectly that she hadn’t time for the usual morning pleasantries. James wasn’t at his desk when she extracted the DC Solutions invoices from his files. She ran them through the photocopier along with the reports on both DC Solutions and ARS Corporation, checking over her shoulder anxiously in case Robert should suddenly appear. Returning to her office, she put the originals in a file for David and put the copies in her bag. David’s office was in the executive area and she would have to pass by Robert if she went around to see him. She couldn’t face the risk of running into Robert. She booked a meeting room on the other side of the building. When she rang David’s number it was engaged. She checked her voicemail for new messages while she waited for him to come off the phone. There was only one new message.
Hi, honey. It’s after five. Just wondering where you got to today … I missed you … I guess you were busy … See you tomorrow.
The warmth and intimacy in his voice rattled her and she slammed down the phone in panic.
This is all a terrible mistake … how can I believe Robert would do this? He does care about me.
She sat with her head in her hands for a few moments, trying to decide what to do. Then, with trembling hands, she read through the file she had prepared for David and tried her hardest to come up with an explanation. When she failed, she dialled David’s number again.
‘David, it’s Claire. Can I see you about something rather urgent?’
‘I’m pretty busy. Can it wait until later today?’
There’s no way I can wait until later. Robert could come around here any minute.
‘I’m sorry, but it’s very important.’
‘Okay … do you want to come around to my office?’
‘I’ve booked the meeting room in the marketing area. I’ll see you there.’
They arrived at the meeting room simultaneously and he stood back so she could pass through the doorway before him.
‘This seems very dramatic, Claire. What’s the matter?’ he said as he shut the door.
She sat down before answering, resting her hands on the polished table.
‘I think I have evidence of fraudulent payments to a company controlled by one of our employees,’ she began, her hands shaking as she opened the file and her face flushed as if she was the guilty party.
There was a tense silence and she watched his expression change as he sat upright in the soft-cushioned seat.
‘How much are we talking about?’
‘A million dollars.’
‘What!’ The veins in his neck protruded as his face reddened in shock. Then he visibly checked himself before asking more calmly, ‘And who is involved?’
‘Robert Pozos,’ she said, keeping her eyes down as she braced herself for his reaction. There was another silence. She wondered if he had heard her properly. She moved her eyes from the paperwork to study his face and the movement seemed to bring him out of his trance.
‘That’s a very serious accusation to make. I hope you can support it,’ he said, his voice ominously low.
‘I’m not making accusations, David … I sincerely hope that this turns out to be a false alarm and the payments are all above board.’ When he didn’t comment she continued, ‘Prima facie it doesn’t look good and it’s my job to bring it to your attention. I presume you will know how to handle it from here.’
‘What’s in the file?’
‘Supporting documents for two payments to a company called DC Solutions. The first cheque was for $600,000 and the second for $400,000. And I have company reports on DC Solutions and its holding company, ARS Corporation. Robert Pozos is a director of ARS Corporation.’
She got up to stand next to his seat. She walked him through the paper trail, forcing herself not to rush.
‘I’m sorry. It’s not obvious to me how this is fraudulent.’ He seemed hostile.
‘We don’t have a contract with DC Solutions and we’re paying them twenty to twenty-five per cent instead often per cent. Robert is a director of the controlling company. That has to be a conflict of interest, if nothing else.’
‘Can I keep these documents?’ he asked curtly when she finished.
‘Yes, they’re yours. What happens from here?’ She was anxious not to be left in the dark about the outcome.
‘I need to contact San Jose.’ He looked at his watch. ‘If I call straight away, I might be able to catch them before they leave for the day.’
He stood up suddenly and she stepped out of his way as he hurriedly put the documents back in the file.
‘David … just one more thing,’ she asked, her voice unsteady, her composure starting to slip. ‘I can’t face seeing Robert today … is it okay if I go home now?’
He nodded. ‘I’ll keep you informed.’ He left without waiting for her.
She returned to her office to get her bag and forward her phone.
‘We keep missing each other!’
Her heart did a painful somersault at the sound of Robert’s voice.
‘Oh … hi …’ She turned slowly to face him, trying to look casual.
He had both hands in the pockets of his dark trousers. His eyes were crinkled with a smile.
‘Are you off somewhere?’ he asked, noting her bag on her shoulder and her blank monitor.
‘I’m going home … I’m not feeling very well,’ she lied awkwardly.
‘What’s the matter? Have you caught a bug or something?’ He looked worried.
‘I think so … I feel quite sick.’
‘If you could wait thirty minutes, I could drive you home,’ he offered, moving one hand to cup the side of her face.
‘Don’t!’
‘Sorry, I forgot where we were.’ He shrugged apologetically and took his hand away. ‘I’m waiting for Tony to fax the memorandum of intent – Cathair finally sent it through this morning.’
‘Congratulations on Cathair … Look, don’t worry about me. I’m fine getting a taxi,’ she said quickly, making a move towards the door.
‘Please let me –’
‘Really – I’m fine – I just need a rest. See you tomorrow.’
She walked over the bridge to the city. It was a warm day, heralding the end of winter and start of spring. The breeze played with her hair and the furious noise of traffic filled her ears. The effect of seeing Robert made her feel quite strongly that he was innocent.
I may have ruined his career by jumping to conclusions. He will never forgive me for this.
She stopped halfway to admire the view: the curves of the Opera House against the perfect blue backdrop; the boats and ferries dotted on the glittery water; the sun, smeared and hazy, shining down. Up above her, brave tourists were climbing the steel of the bridge. She watched as a stronger wind flattened their baggy clothing. She waited until the group reached the top before moving on.
Claire came off the bridge onto York Street and walked towards the building where Fiona worked. She checked her watch. It was too early for lunch. She sat in the lobby reading the Sydney Morning Herald.
As lunchtime got closer, the lifts that opened in the lobby were fuller. The suits spilled out, brushing up against each other as they raced to the doors. Claire grabbed Fiona by the arm.
‘Hi, there … fancy lunch?’
‘Claire, where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you all morning.’ Fiona halted, almost causing a pile-up of the suits behind her.
‘Oh … I sort of took a walking tour of Sydney … Where will we go?’
Fiona was short of time so she suggested a small café a few doors down.
‘So, what happened?’ she asked, leaning across the tiny table, bursting with curiosity.
‘Not much. I told David and he said he’ll keep me informed. Then I asked him if I could go home.’ Her answer was brief; she was suddenly too weary to go into any more detail.
‘And how did he react to what you told him? You know, when you said you thought Robert was involved,’ Fiona pressed.
‘He was very wary of me. David is usually supportive, he’s a nice man, but I think he may believe that I’ve got this all wrong …’ Claire’s lunch made her feel sick and she pushed it away, half-eaten.
Fiona’s mobile phone started to ring. ‘It’s just James,’ she said, checking the number.
‘Aren’t you going to answer it?’
‘I can talk to him later,’ Fiona shrugged. ‘He’s just ringing to see if I’ve booked the flights.’
‘What flights?’
‘To Ireland. I’m going home at Christmas. He’s coming too.’
‘Bringing him home to meet the family?’ Claire gave her a teasing wink. ‘That sounds serious.’
Fiona smiled and shrugged again. ‘Well, it is getting quite serious with us. James knows what he wants, unlike Den.’
‘What about what you want?’
‘I want someone I can rely on, as well as have fun with.’
Fiona went back to work and Claire got the train home. The phone started to ring as she let herself into the apartment. She ignored it and changed out of her office clothes into a beach dress. She went out to the balcony with a book, shutting the patio doors to muffle the continuous ringing. She settled down on her lounger, her straw hat giving shade as she tried to read. The phone continued to ring at frequent intervals until late afternoon.
The next morning Emma was concerned and curious about Claire’s unexplained departure the day before. She sat on the edge of Claire’s desk, looking at her closely.
‘Where did you disappear to yesterday?’
‘I wasn’t feeling well. I should never have come to work in the first place,’ Claire replied, her tone deliberately abrupt to discourage further questions.
‘Why didn’t you tell me? I didn’t know what had happened to you.’
‘You were on the phone when I was leaving. I told Robert – I thought he would pass it on. And I’m feeling much better today, thank you!’
‘Sorry, I’m glad to hear that you’re better … it’s just that you’ve been acting very strangely the last few days.’
Claire mustered up a grin. ‘I’ve always been strange. Didn’t you know that?’
‘Yes, now that you mention it … Well, better get back to work.’
Emma returned to her desk and Claire was left alone. She wondered if Robert was in the office. Had David spoken to him yet? Would he be angry with her? She picked up the phone and called his secretary.
‘Hi, Samantha – it’s Claire – is Robert in today?’
‘No, he’s gone back to the States. I had to book an emergency flight for him yesterday afternoon.’
‘Oh … do you know how long he’ll be away for?’
‘Not really. It was all such a rush, I didn’t have time to ask him. I’m expecting him to call me some time today. Do you want me to pass on a message?’
‘No, it was only something small. Thanks anyway,’ Claire said and quickly hung up the phone.
He’s gone. What does that mean? Has he been fired? At least I don’t have to worry about bumping into him …
She jumped when her phone rang.
‘Claire, David here. Can you come around to my office, please?’
His voice was unquestionably strained and she suddenly didn’t want to hear what he had to tell her. She passed Robert’s office on her way to David’s. The door was shut. Through the glass window she saw his chair pushed neatly into his desk. The files he kept on the desk were tidied away. There was an undeniable aura of finality.
There was a man with David whom she didn’t recognise.
‘Sit down, please,’ David said briskly, indicating the only vacant seat with an impatient gesture.
‘I don’t believe I’ve met you before,’ she said to the sombre stranger as she sat next to him. He had a moustache that matched his grey-black hair. His suit and tie were quite old-fashioned.
‘Claire Quinlan, this is Lee Murray. Lee regularly represents Amtech Australia in local legal matters and will be witnessing our conversation on behalf of our legal department in the US,’ David said.
He wasn’t meeting her eyes and Claire started to feel uneasy. His hands shuffled the papers in front of him unnecessarily, betraying an anxiety.
What the hell is going on? What needs to be witnessed? she wondered in confusion and she moved her chair back from the table so she could see both men clearly.
‘Claire, I am sorry but the company has made the decision to let you go,’ David began.
‘What do you mean “let me go”?’ she asked shrilly, looking at both of them for clarification.
‘Your employment with Amtech is being terminated.’
‘Why?’ Shock was strangulating her voice. ‘What have I done?’
‘To be quite honest, I don’t know the reasons. I’m just acting on instructions. Now, moving on … I have here two cheques for your termination payment. One gives you your statutory entitlements, which isn’t a lot of money as you’ve been with the Australian subsidiary less than a year.’ He finally looked at her, his face expressionless, before continuing, ‘The other cheque is for $100,000. A non-disclosure document comes with it. By signing you are agreeing not to disclose to any other party the payments to DC Solutions or the circumstances surrounding your termination of employment with Amtech. If you accept this cheque and, at a later stage, we find out that you have not abided by the conditions, Amtech will sue you for breach of contract. Lee will be able to vouch in court that the conditions of the payment were explained to you in full.’
Claire glanced at Lee, who still hadn’t opened his mouth to speak. There were a few moments of loaded silence as she desperately tried to organise her chaotic thoughts into concise sentences.
‘David, I don’t feel I can accept either cheque as I don’t understand what’s going on … I don’t want to leave Amtech …’
‘This isn’t negotiable. You’re leaving Amtech today, regardless of how much we pay you. At the moment I’m treating your termination as a retrenchment, but if you persist in making this difficult I will handle it as dismissal due to negligence.’
His threat wasn’t lost on her; she had thought about that possibility herself. She squirmed in her seat, a light film of perspiration all over her body. She badly needed some fresh air.
‘What has happened to Robert? Has he been fired?’
‘Robert has gone back to his position in California. His wife is having some problems so he had to leave urgently,’ he explained, ignoring her sceptical expression.
Claire felt a surge of anger. ‘So he keeps his job and I lose mine?’
‘As I said previously, I am not privy to the reasons behind your termination. But, you must admit, $100,000 is a very generous pay-out and I think you are doing quite well,’ he said, a smug smile playing on his face as he leaned back in his seat. She had never seen this side of David.
It is a lot of money … and I don’t think I want to work for this screwed-up company any longer, she thought bitterly. I’m going to need this money while I look for another job … that’s if I can manage to get another job after all this.
‘Will I get a reference?’ she asked him.
‘I have a written one here and if you ever need a verbal, direct the person to me and I will be happy to oblige.’ He smiled again, obviously sensing victory.
‘What are you going to tell my staff when I leave out of the blue without even saying goodbye?’ she asked, not concealing her bitterness.
‘That you were offered a job you couldn’t resist with a competitor and we were unable to allow you to work out your notice.’ His answer was immediate, perfectly rehearsed and infuriatingly reasonable.
‘Can I have a few minutes to read the legal document and the reference?’
‘Of course,’ he confirmed.
Her innate sense of caution would not allow her to sign something she had not read. It was the last thing she wanted to do, with two hostile pairs of eyes scrutinising her as she tried to concentrate on the blurred words. She signed her name and David escorted her as far as the lifts. They miraculously didn’t meet anybody on the way. As she handed over her access card, she wondered what Emma and the others would think. When she got outside, she took the cheque out of her bag. Soft drops of spring rain freckled it in seconds. It was signed by David and Steve Ryan. From her knowledge of company policy, the cheque would have to have been approved by the head of Corporate Treasury; discretionary payments on termination were outside the authority limits of local management. She wasn’t sure if she had been fired and felt foolish for not knowing this basic fact. The cheque confused their motives.
The girl at the bank gave her a curious look when she saw the amount of the cheque. Claire half expected it to bounce but she was given her lodgement advice as normal.
The train station was almost deserted and the next train wasn’t due for fifteen minutes. She waited in a daze. The train came along and she robotically got on and chose a seat. Tears gathered in her eyes as she gazed blindly out the window. All her previous doubts were gone. Robert was guilty.
Why else would he have me terminated? I would have believed anything I was told, I didn’t need to be kicked out. He must be a lot more powerful in the company than I gave him credit for. Not only did he manage to keep his position but he got permission from Corporate Treasury to pay out the informant. What a bastard!
The train stopped and started and stopped and started but she was hardly aware. She saw her face reflected in the window; pale and indistinct, it felt like it belonged to someone else. This hadn’t happened. Couldn’t have happened. Because after Michael, she’d vowed she would never again get involved with someone she worked with.
‘Ma’am, this is the end of the train line – you have to get off here.’
The gruff voice of the guard brought her back to reality. It was her face in the window. She hadn’t learned her lesson the first time. She’d had a relationship with her boss and now she’d lost her job. And she had only herself to blame.