Tony Hill u Carol Jordan 08 - Cross and Burn Read Free Page B

new boss was cutting it fine if she wanted to make a good impression on her first day. But before he could settle into his smugness, the clatter of heels on floor tiles alerted him to an arrival from the street door rather than the underground car park. He swung round and there she was, mac shimmering with raindrops, shoes splashed with dirt. Marie Mather, his new opposite number. Director of Marketing to his Director of Operations.
    ‘Morning, Rob.’ She shifted her laptop bag to join her handbag over her shoulder so she could free up a hand to shake his. ‘Thanks for taking the time to get me settled in.’
    ‘Might as well start off on the right foot.’ He squeezed out a half-smile that took the sourness from his face. ‘Since we’ll be yoked together like horses in the traces, pulling the mighty chariot that is Tellit Communications.’ He enjoyed the flash of surprise as the extravagance of his sardonic comment sank in. He liked to upset people’s general assumption that a man who ran the operations side of a mobile phone company must be a stranger to culture. ‘You didn’t drive in?’
    She shook the sparkle of rain from her thick blonde bob and gestured with her head towards the street outside. ‘We’re only five minutes’ walk from the tram terminus so I always get a seat. It’s a better start to the day than fighting the rush-hour traffic.’ When she smiled, her nose wrinkled, as if she’d smelled something delicious. In terms of aesthetics, Rob reckoned she was a distinct improvement on Jared Kamal, her predecessor. ‘So. What’s the drill?’
    ‘We’ll sort you out with security passes. Then I’ll take you up to the main floor and give you the guided tour.’ As he spoke, Rob steered her over to the security desk, a hand on her elbow, aware of a spicy floral aroma that clung to her in spite of the tram and the Bradfield rain. If she was as good at her job as she was at brightening the place up, Rob’s working life was set to improve exponentially.

    Minutes later, they emerged from the lift straight on to the main sales floor. At this time of day, the lighting was dim. ‘Staff operate the lighting levels at their own pods. It gives them the illusion of control and it gives us a quick and easy way to spot who’s actually working.’ Rob led the way across the room.
    ‘Somebody’s early.’ Marie nodded towards a pool of light in the far corner.
    Rob rubbed his hand over his chin. ‘That’s Gareth Taylor.’ He arranged his features in a standard expression of sorrow. ‘Lost his family recently.’ Personally, he was over Gareth’s grief. Time to move on, get a life. But Rob knew he was in the minority on that one so he kept quiet around the water cooler, content to grunt supportively when colleagues went into one of their ‘Poor Gareth’ spasms.
    Marie’s expression softened. ‘Poor bloke. What happened?’
    ‘Car crash. Wife and two kids, died at the scene.’ Rob forged onwards, not a backward glance at his bereaved colleague.
    Marie broke stride momentarily then caught up. ‘And he’s in here at this time of the morning?’
    Rob shrugged. ‘He says he’d rather be here than staring at the walls at home. Fine by me. I mean, it’s been three or four months now.’ He turned and gave her a dark smile. ‘We’re fucked if he starts claiming his TOIL though.’
    Marie made a noncommittal noise and followed him into a generous cubicle at the end of the room. A desk, two chairs. A couple of whiteboards and a paper recycling bin. Rob gave a cynical little bow. ‘Home sweet home.’
    ‘It’s a decent size, at least.’ Marie put her laptop on the desk, tucked her bag in a drawer and hung her coat on a hook on the back of the door. ‘Now, first things first. Where’s the coffee and what’s the system?’
    Rob smiled. ‘Follow me.’ He led her back into the main office. ‘You buy tokens from Charyn on the front desk. Five for a pound.’ As they grew closer to his workspace,