Page 79 of End Game

‘I declare the motion carried by five votes to one, with three abstentions,’ declared Parker.

Chattering broke out once again, but quickly ceased when Parker continued.

‘The second motion,’ said Mr Parker, ‘is that we should invite Mr Faulkner to join the board. Those in favour?’

Only three hands were raised this time.

‘Against?’

Three more hands went up.

‘The second motion,’ said the secretary, ‘has resulted in a tie of three votes each, with once again three abstentions, which leaves you, Madam Chair, with the casting vote.’

Three board members looked pleased, as they were sure they knew which side Christina would come down on, while three others looked disappointed.

‘Before I cast my vote, can I convince either of the other two abstainers to change their minds?’ asked Christina, looking around hopefully. She waited, as one member appeared to hesitate but, to Christina’s dismay, four hands remained resolutely below the table.

‘The director,’ continued Christina, ‘had fully briefed me on the situation, so I have had some time to consider my position should the crucial vote end in a stalemate. As my term of office comes to an end in only a few months, it is with a heavy heart that I cast my vote in favour of Mr Faulkner being invited to join the board. I can only hope the rewards will outweigh my reservations.’

A small round of applause followed, while the rest of the board remained silent.

‘Then the motion is carried by four votes to three, with two abstentions,’ declared the company secretary.

Christina waited once again for the voices to be still, before she said, ‘Is there any other business?’

‘Yes, Madam Chair,’ said Beth. ‘In view of the board’s decision, I have been left with no choice but to resign as your director.’

CHAPTER 26

Friday, 10 August – day 15 of the Games

SIRJULIAN WAS GOING OVERthe finer details of a fraud case when his secretary rang to let him know that Professor Cowan was on the line.

‘Please put him through, Miss Longstaff,’ said Sir Julian. Over the years, whenever Julian had been kept waiting to hear a jury’s verdict, he’d always managed to remain calm and detached. But he was neither when the professor came on the line.

‘Good morning, Sir Julian.’

What are the results of the tests?Julian wanted to say, but satisfied himself with, ‘Good morning, Professor.’

‘I hope you are well,’ said the professor.

‘I am, thank you,’ said Sir Julian, ‘and hope you are too.’

‘Just recovering from a slight cold,’ said the professor, ‘but nothing life-threatening.’

Julian didn’t respond for fear it would only hold things up.

‘On to the purpose of my call.’ The professor coughed. ‘I’ve now had the chance, along with two of my senior colleagues, to check and double-check the urine samples supplied by Usain Bolt following his victory in the semi-final of the one hundred metres.’

And, and, and, Sir Julian wanted to say, but somehow remained silent.

‘I have to report,’ said the professor, ‘there is no sign of Turinabol or any other prohibited substance in his urine. So, as far as I’m concerned, he can progress to tomorrow’s final without his reputation being tarnished in any way.’

‘Good news indeed,’ exclaimed Sir Julian. ‘But what about Mo Farah?’ he asked, now on the edge of his seat.

‘That took a little longer,’ admitted the professor, ‘because we only received the five thousand metre samples late last night and, sadly,’ he paused, ‘I’ve had to disqualify one of the competitors.’

‘Was it Mo Farah?’ pressed Sir Julian, no longer able to contain himself.