Controlling Vulnerable

Chapter 2

Courtesy of jet lag Joe was awake and raring to go by five thirty. He spent an hour in his gym before heading to his offices early, stopping off at the drive-through for coffee. By the time most people were filing into their desks, Joe had cleared his E mails. His friend and operations director Scott Griffin appeared first, keen to hear about the potential UK clients. Joe knocked back his coffee and sighed, "They were definitely interested, but it was like they'd spoken to the investors, same questions about governance, control frameworks, risks of rapid growth without risk management." Scott made a derisive noise as the HR Director Dean came through. "Hey Joe, welcome home. Have you had a look at that job spec yet? I've got recruiters lined up ready to go, but I need you to know what we're looking for because you're gonna have to interview them." Joe shook his head sighing, "No, I'll do it today though." Scott snorted, "It's fucking stupid. We're agile because we don't have all this crap." Dean's face was impassive, "Well, if we don't deal with this they won't advance funding and we're stuck. Joe, I'm putting a meeting in tomorrow afternoon to go through it and get the ball rolling. Read it sometime ahead of that for Christ's sake."

At just after nine Joe picked up his jacket and went out to lean on his secretary's desk, dropping a bag in front of her, "British candy as requested. Miss me Linda?" The smartly dressed fifty year old's face lit up, "You remembered!" Joe grinned and revealed a bottle in his other hand, "Here, Scottish fourteen year old single malt for Mark. I'll be round at the weekend, help him drink it." He bent to kiss her on the cheek and she said, "Where you off to?" Joe opened the carrier bag and grabbed a chocolate bar, "Got someone I want to check up on. Back before lunch," Shaking her head fondly she watched him go. Scott walked over and said, "Hey Linda, I wanted Joe to look at some shit. Where's he gone?" Linda scowled, "Look at some shit? Really?" Scott giggled and she shook her head. I'll see if he has a slot this afternoon and no, I don't know where he's gone."

Joe entered the hotel lobby and scanned the area. He spotted a board, read what it said and smiled. He pushed the door quietly and recognised her voice immediately. He walked along the side of the room and took a spare seat at one of the tables near the front, nodding to the people sitting opposite. On an adjacent table, Harry Vincent saw him and wondered who he was. Lara had just started her presentation and had stood up from where she'd initially been sitting with Rob Knight. Rob was feeling elated. Lara was holding the room, grabbing attention just like he knew she would. Even if the rest of the speakers fell flat, he knew this would be what was remembered. Joe found himself drawn into really listening. What Lara was explaining really made business sense, and a plan began to form in his mind to solve his own issues. As she invited questions, answering all with humour and commercial insight, Joe took a good look at her pretty face, admiring her delicately curvaceous figure, this time in a blue and white form fitting dress. He glanced around realising even if she'd been in the audience she'd have stood out a mile.

When she'd finished Rob announced a break of twenty minutes and Joe stood up, holding a hand out to help her down the steps from the raised stage area. She broke out into a surprised smile that made Joe feel good, "Oh my god, what are you doing here?" Rob had followed her and wondered if this was a former colleague or someone she knew from her holiday home. Joe laughed and squeezed her hand, "I wanted to come and see what the girl on the plane was like in action, and I gotta tell ya, I was not disappointed." Lara turned to Rob and said, "Rob, this is Joe. We met on the flight yesterday." Joe reached to shake a slightly sulky Rob's hand and said, "Sorry for gate crashing. I was in the area and I thought I'd come and say Hi. Got time for a quick coffee Lara?"

They headed into the hotel bar area and Joe ordered coffee for them. He looked at his companion, "That was pretty damn impressive." Lara smiled, "I can't believe you came down to listen to me droning on!" He shrugged, "Actually it was pretty interesting. What are your plans after this? I wanted to talk to you about something." She looked curious, "Talk to me? I'm here all day, there's a dinner tonight, I've got another half day at the conference tomorrow, then free time in the afternoon before I fly back Thursday." Joe nodded, "If I came to collect you tomorrow, I'd like to take you down to our offices. Thing is Lara our investors and our clients are pushing for us to improve our governance and control. Not the Financial crap, they're happy with that, but the other stuff. To be honest, I thought it was a waste of time and energy, but listening to you just now I kinda get why it makes sense, not just for the investors but for the company." She drank some coffee and looked at him carefully, "Joe I'm not being funny, but I don't know you. I can't just float off with men I met five minutes ago on a plane. And what exactly does your need for more governance have to do with me?" He pulled a face, "Yeah, I must look like a stalker. The way that Rob guy is looking at me he definitely thinks I am!" Lara couldn't help but laugh, "Don't mind Rob, he's naturally suspicious and the jet lag's making him grumpy to boot." Joe leaned forward, "Listen I know what it must look like, but here." He clicked on his phone and turned it around, "Here's our website, with the picture of me, the CEO. You can tell reception here exactly where you've gone and what time you'll be back. I promise it's a hundred percent safe. Give me your phone." He punched his number into her contacts, rang his own number and passed it back.