Convenience

Part 68

Again Beatrice beamed. Feigned her smile. "Right then." She looked at Miss Jackson and kept beaming at her. "Ok, I'd best get going." She said and threw her phone back into her handbag. "Lovely meeting you." She zipped her bag shut, bent to retrieve her satchel, "Could you ask my husband to arrange for my car to be released?" Beatrice said cheerfully, offered a hand to shake Elsa's hand and said sunnily, "I'll collect it later."

Elsa nearly grumbled. She knew she was a good PA. So when had she lost this 'disagreement' with Beatrice? Elsa nearly shook her head. She had all the means and resources, and the ability to handle people. She explained everything, calmly and genially. She had Mrs Cardoso's car. She had Mrs Cardoso here at the office. No way for Mrs Cardoso to leave. So how had she lost control of this?

"Later?" Elsa watched as Mrs Cardoso headed for the elevator doors. Surely she wasn't going to meet up with that sleazy journalist? Everyone knew that Angela Sutter was not to be trusted.

Beatrice looked over at Elsa. "Yes. Chirpily Beatrice announced. "Not really sure how long I'll be." Her plan was to take a taxi to the hotel. She kept her cool. She announced glibly, "It will all rather depend on what Miss Sutter wants to talk about I imagine."

"And, erh," for the first time in the conversation Beatrice heard a note of caution and concern in Elsa's voice, "can I help you with any directions or arrange for a taxi? To get you to where you are meeting Angela Sutter?" Elsa had a backbone of steel, and she wanted that information for Mr Cardoso.

"No, not necessary." Beatrice smiled happily. Oh she was enjoying this. It was about time her husband and his employees realised that she was not to be trifled with! She knew what Miss Jackson really wanted to know was where Beatrice was going.

Elsa decided to offer a few cents worth of advice. Obviously Mrs Cardoso did not know that Angela Sutter was not to be trusted. "erhm, Mrs Cardoso, be careful."

Beatrice had reached the elevator door. She looked over her shoulder after having pressed the elevator call button. "Be careful?" One brow rose, as Beatrice looked straight at Miss Jackson and saw the honest expression on the woman's face.

Elsa nodded and once again said, "Angela Sutter is not someone I would trust."

Beatrice was tempted to be flippant. However Beatrice figured that was the first sincere statement her husband's PA had said thus far. Like, Elsa, she didn't trust Angela Sutter. In any case, she would never get in touch with Angela Sutter. Ever!

She opted for a simple question. "Why not?" Beatrice asked. The lift came. The doors opened. Beatrice did not step in. Instead she was more interested to see whether Miss Jackson would be open or cagey. Beatrice let the lift go. The lift doors closed. The lift had disappeared. Clearly someone had summoned it.

Elsa said quietly, "She as a reputation." Despite their clash today, she liked Beatrice.

Beatrice nearly nodded. She agreed. But she wasn't about to tell Miss Jackson that she agreed with her. "Oh?" Beatrice pressed the button for the lift to recall it.

"Let's just say that the story is more important than the facts, as far as Angela Sutter is concerned." Elsa folded her arms and she said quietly, "She's a journalist with a bad rep."

"I see." Not that it mattered as Beatrice wasn't meeting the woman. But it was good to know that Miss Jackson was willing to warn her about the perils in meeting. "I'll bear that in mind." She told Miss Jackson, and smiled. A genuine smile. Miss Jackson was obviously a good PA. It took a few seconds before Beatrice laughed ruefully, "My husband is very lucky to have you work for him." Beatrice told the woman, recognising loyalty when she saw it.

Elsa blinked at that compliment. Yup, Elsa thought, she was right about Mrs Cardoso. She was a good judge of character, and she had got it right. Mrs Cardoso was feisty, thoughtful, smart and nice.

Beatrice nodded. "Good bye Miss Jackson." Beatrice turned to face the lift and wait for its arrival.

Behind her back, Elsa was already keying in a phone number. By the time the lift arrived and Beatrice left the office, David had answered the call. Elsa announced, "Mrs Cardoso is on her way out." She told her boss without any preamble. "And she's arranged to meet with Angela Sutter." Elsa huffed as she heard Mr Cardoso's reply.

"You let her leave?"

"I tried." Elsa knew she sounded terse. "But your wife has a mind of her own."

David chuckled. "I know!" Looked like he had underestimated his wife once again. But then again, the chase wasn't quite over just yet.