Page 28 of Betrayal

“Yeah, I have an office, although we’re mostly open plan.We have meeting rooms if anyone needs silence.This afternoon, I want the flat, clean space of a large table.”He collected glasses of water and led her into a small meeting room.As light and airy as the central area, temperature-controlled via a mix of natural and artificial methods.The bank of solar cells she’d spotted on the roof and the batteries testified to off-grid.“Have you got your copy of the contract?”

“Right here.”She patted her bag.

She’d done her research.Background checks on Maha Hariri, even though she’d liked the woman on sight.Probity and child protection checks, any complaints.The place price compared favourably with other centres she’d checked.A little on the high side, but the quality and the ability to participate in decision-making balanced that out.She had facts, figures, scenarios before she’d talked it through with Antonio.

“What’s the decision?”

“Antonio’s authorised me to sign the contract.I’d like a preliminary Board of Management to be established immediately.Obviously, we can’t get parent reps yet, but I want to know what’s happening at each step of the way.To be able to drop in and see developments.”

“It’s not your money,” he said.

“Not my kids either.”

“You’re treating it as seriously as if it is.”

“So are you,” she countered.

“My work has my name on it.”

“Duh!So, does mine.”Anna glanced through the glass windows of the meeting room to the well-designed space beyond.“This looks like it was custom-designed as your headquarters.”

“I’m expanding.That’s why you’re here.”

“Do you live upstairs?”

CHAPTER FIVE

“Want to see?”Wherethe hell had that invitation come from?She befuddled him.And Hunter was growing to like the sensation.

“Perhaps we should finish our business first.”The childcare centre was her priority.

“Fine.Preliminary Board of Management.Regular visits to check progress.”

“So, what’s in the other drawing cylinder?”

“Some ideas about colours and textures I thought you’d like to see.”Anxiety trickled down Hunter’s spine, a line of cold doubt because he wanted her to like his ideas.He didn’t need her praise to know he did good work, so what was with the jitterbugging butterflies?