The Lethal Encounter Read Online Free Page A

panic of
his approach and was starting to relax, so why spoil things now? If she told
him that she worked for Shire, then he would surely jump and leave immediately?
     
    “Work, I'm afraid,” she said
finally. “I work in the computer software business and I'm down here seeing
some clients along the coast. I suppose I could have stayed at Antibes or
somewhere a bit closer but I just love Cannes.”
     
    “Computer software eh, what
company? I'm in that business myself so probably know them.”
     
    “Yes. You're the Peter
Jarvis. I recognise you from the trade press. You're quite the industry
superstar, aren't you?” Katie said, avoiding the question he had put to her.
     
    It was Peter's turn to look
questioningly at Katie in an effort to detect any sarcasm in her voice. His
face relaxed when he saw none.
     
    “Well, I've been lucky. I hit
the market at the right time and things have gone well. I've got some great
people working for me and that helps!”
     
    Again Katie knew she should
come clean and admit her position, but she was starting to enjoy herself now
and bent forward to pick up her brandy from the table. She brought the glass to
her lips and took a sip. Whilst brandy was not her nightcap of choice, the
aroma of the drink hit her nostrils and the warmth of the liquid as it slid
down her throat relaxed her even more and she smiled at him over the rim of the
glass.
     
    “Mmmn, a multi-million pound
company a bit lucky? I don't think so.” Katie was much more sure of herself now
and felt under control. “And what about you? Are you sealing another deal or
just having fun?”
     
    “Bit of both really. I always
try to mix business with pleasure if you know what I mean.” Peter stared at
her, seeming to openly admire her look and appearance. Katie felt flustered
again under his stare and was immediately annoyed. She was not going to let him
get under her skin again!
     
    “And I'm sure you get a lot
of both,” Katie responded, knowing that she would sound catty. She softened the
remark with what she thought was a knowing smile but then realised that just
made the initial comment look worse.
     
    Thankfully, Peter did not
appear to notice.
     
    “Yes, well, indeed. How long
are you here?”
     
    “I'm going back home to London tomorrow, morning flight,” said Katie. “I live in London,” she added.
     
    “Yes, I'm going too.....but
to Frankfurt for a meeting. Where in London?”
     
    “Maida Vale”
     
    “Nice.” Peter said. “I lived
there once. On the corner of Sutherland Avenue, in a little flat on the top
floor of one of those huge white houses. Great pub on the roundabout. Good thai
restaurant above it, I seem to remember.”
     
    “It's a Gordon Ramsay
restaurant now,” said Katie, glad the conversation had moved away from work.
     
    “Really, that's nice. I know
Gordon, he's a nice chap…..overworks terribly though.”
     
    Silence ensued and both took
sips of their drink.
     
    “So who are you with
tonight?” Katie asked.
     
    “Oh, that's Pierre Casson, my
main agent in France. Well, not really an agent, more a fixer, and those people
work for him. I've known them for ages. Pierre helped me start in France.....it's terribly bureaucratic as I'm sure you know. You need someone on the inside
to help oil the cogs.”
     
    Katie did understand this.
Her recent deal was fraught with paperwork and legalese. In fact the agreement
had almost stalled as a result…..but then Peter Jarvis might know that.
     
    “In fact, a big deal
foundered here recently, but the team did a good job getting it signed off. I
did not have to get involved. See - that's the value of good people!”
     
    Again, Katie felt a pang of
guilt. She knew this would be the time to come clean and admit her connection,
confessing that she too was part of his organisation. In many ways, that would
make the whole “meeting” easier. But something stopped her. She did not want
him to become “her boss” with all