A Matter of Trust Read Free Page A

I’ve always been much better at theory than management. The vision, I suppose you could say, has been mine. My husband’s natural talents have been in recruitment and marketing. I can assure you, I’m planning nothing illegal or even particularly underhanded. I intend only to protect my work from assault, which is exactly what I anticipate will happen as soon as my attorneys contact my husband.”
    Sloan leaned forward, picking up her pen. “What’s the timetable?”
    “I believe that may very well be up to you,” Michael replied. “I don’t want to proceed until I’m certain that ongoing projects and the blueprints for future growth cannot be pirated or compromised in some way. Until that time, I intend to continue with the status quo.”
    At that, Sloan looked up in surprise, studying the cool, composed blond across from her. Despite the small signs of tension, Michael Lassiter was remarkably controlled. What she had so calmly outlined amounted to nothing short of war within the arena of the financial world. It was the kind of confrontation that could lead to personal ruin and, indeed, had in many instances. The fact that she was married to the man she was about to engage in an all-out conflict did not appear to trouble her. Sloan wondered briefly if Michael would also continue the personal relationship with her husband as if nothing were amiss. “Are you still...living with him?”
    When Michael hesitated, color rising in her face, Sloan added quickly, “I’m sorry. I only ask because I’m trying to get a sense of the playing field here. Hostile takeovers can get messy, and—”
    “No, that’s quite all right,” Michael interjected, her mask of imperturbability firmly in place. “We are still together, yes.”
    “Thank you.” Sloan was oddly disturbed by the information. It gave her pause to think of anyone compromising herself privately for the sake of eventual financial supremacy. It also struck her as merely a form of prostitution and somehow much too demeaning for this obviously accomplished woman . I’d better just stick to business. And what Michael Lassiter does in her private life is most definitely not part of my business.
    Closing the file folder, Sloan added, “You’ll need a cover story as to why I’m spending so much time in your corporate headquarters. I’ll also need to visit each of your branch divisions, and I’ll have to meet with your present systems operators. Also, I’ll need unrestricted access to all levels of program applications and data acquisition.”
    “Am I to take it that you accept the assignment?” Michael Lassiter seemed to relax infinitesimally, letting a small sigh escape.
    Sloan shrugged. “We haven’t talked about the contract conditions or costs yet. Depending on the current state of your system, the software and consultant fees could run into six figures.”
    “Those details are inconsequential to me.” Michael stood and stretched out a slim elegant hand. When Sloan rose, taking it wordlessly, she added, “What I require is your discretion and your talent.”
    “Of that I can assure you,” Sloan responded.
    The hand in hers was remarkably warm, and she felt a slight reluctance to relinquish it. When she did, Michael Lassiter turned and left the room without another word.

    *

    An hour later, a knock drew her attention away from the reports she’d been rather unsuccessfully reviewing. Her mind kept returning to the meeting she’d had with Michael Lassiter—bits of conversation and fleeting images kept obscuring the data she was trying to absorb. Something about the woman affected her so strongly that it interfered with her concentration as nothing ever did. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.
    Maybe it’s the mixture of determination and discomfort in her eyes. She’s going to do what she needs to do, but it’s hurting her just the same. Jesus, why do I care? It’s all just part of the game.
    “Permission to enter?” a