A Fine Mess

Chapter 13

The position of corporate lawyer afforded Myles Forbin many opportunities for what, in another context, might be called insider trading, except the product in this case was a carefully compiled collection of personal tidbits of gossip he found useful when favours were required and which he also frequently enjoyed sharing with Miriam. It wasn't that they had such a tight relationship, in fact Myles, for the most part, really detested spending many evenings with her at all; it was just that when he found something particularly juicy it was in his character to need to share, and he did-with Miriam, who always seemed to enjoy the occasional iniquitous act.

He strutted in front of his library window, studying the proposal Peter had drafted for the potential merger strategy and his own notes on Brian's assault on Moira Weston to win her support. Peter was expressing some doubts about Brian's approach and he felt that perhaps Myles should lend a hand in winning Moira over; a more polished, subtle tactic was needed he felt. Myles warmed to the idea. The less appealing part of the report was the need to show a united front at the rally Barton was springing.

Miriam entered the room bearing a silver tray with a coffee urn and a small snack of sweets and he paused to watch her set the tray on his desk. She was still a well put together specimen, he mused, permitting himself a compliment in his selection, just not up to his level intellectually. It was her constant, unnerving smile that made him shudder inside; it invoked the horrendous image of Gabriella. Miriam though, seemed to have an unsettling Stepford quality about her and in contrast, he felt a twinge of guilty thrill thinking about Moira Weston.

"The coffee is your favourite, French Roast, Myles, and the sweets are from the Lindt selection you admire." She filled two cups as she described the offering in her trademark, dulcet tones. "I'm eager to hear about work, darling," she purred, taking her cup and a chocolate biscuit to the large upholstered basket chair next to the fireplace. "Barton's party has just set the guild crackling with tension and intrigue."

Myles closed the file folder and set it on the desk while he fixed his coffee. "I can imagine. Unsubstantiated gossip is the bane of any company living on the stock exchange." He chose a biscuit from the tray and strolled to the window. "I expect I will be getting a call from Moira soon, possibly she may even broach the subject at the rally."

"The subject?"

He wandered back and selected another biscuit. "Her voting shares. Brian has pretty well exhausted his seduction for her support in the merger I would think."

"Literally?"

"Of course not." Myles grunted. Having something like that leaked to her stupid women's club could be disastrous. This was what he meant about her intelligence; she was just too naïve. "Undertakings such as these require a certain delicacy, a shrewd kind of... argumentum ad judicium."

"I'm sorry, I-"

"An appeal to one's good judgment." He snorted with disgust, realizing she'd completely missed the point.

Miriam sipped her coffee quietly and smiled at his rigid back as he swanned his way back beside the window. "Do you anticipate his success, dear?" She asked politely.

"I do. Brian is most capable... and after all, they are old friends. Moira wouldn't expect bad advice from anyone within the company."

"She's not getting any, is she... bad advice?"

"Of course not. Good heaven's woman, listen to what I say." He slurped his coffee noisily and glared out into the garden.

Miriam finished her drink and replaced her empty cup on the tray. "Why will she be speaking to you, dear?"