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TWENTY-ONE

"I move that we shelve this sanctuary project, so that we can redirect all our resources to work with Tremotino on this significantly larger and infinitely more profitable project, which will likely see a return to investors before this year is out, which will continue over a number of years into the future," Uncle Jeremy said.

Leo intended to cross the boardroom to take his seat at the head, but instead he stopped in the doorway and folded his arms. "I propose that we have our HR department investigate Uncle Jeremy here for inappropriate use of company resources. He used a company credit card to buy the entire Andy's Adventures box set, and have it delivered by strippergram. Unfortunately, he gave the delivery address as my office instead of his, and both my assistant and myself were subjected to a performance that was entirely inappropriate for a work environment, before the poor delivery boy, in his enthusiasm, inserted a sex toy a little too far and Cat had to call an ambulance for the poor man. Between his screams of pain, he did say it was a requirement of the order, and he was just doing his job, which is also a clear violation of our company occupational health and safety policy. You'd better hope he doesn't die of an infection, Uncle Jeremy. I'm told a perforated bowel can be quite nasty."

Uncle Jeremy paled, but he still managed to say, "I know nothing of your wild escapades, nephew. Based on your past behaviour, I'm sure this is all your doing, and has nothing to do with me."

"Except that your credit card was on the order, which was sent from your work email address," Leo said.

"Evidently I've been hacked. Call IT and get them to sort it out." Jeremy blustered.

"Still doesn't explain the signed purchase order, with your handwritten signature on it," Leo said.

"Forged, I'm sure." Jeremy insisted.

Daniel, the finance director, coughed. "Perhaps we can investigate this matter later, after the board meeting?" From the way he pressed his lips together, he definitely intended to investigate.

Leo was counting on it.

Jeremy cleared his throat, though he still looked pale, as though he hadn't expected Leo and Cat to be able to trace the incident to him so fast. The man trusted Shenzi far too much...and didn't realise how much she needed this job, even at the cost of Jeremy's own position.

"If we could continue discussing the proposal at hand. The Tremotino project?" Jeremy prompted.

"Oh, no, let's start from the beginning. As I was late, dealing with an incident, I missed the justification behind the reallocation of resources that would allow us to take on the project, when I thought we were currently at capacity," Leo drawled, sinking into his seat.

"As you would know, if you'd read your emails this morning, the electrical engineering contractor on the sanctuary project is about to declare bankruptcy, and this, combined with the delays in council approval, the ongoing negotiations over the land sale, and the technical delays in the power system, will mean additional costs and delays that..."

Leo pulled out his phone, ignoring his uncle, and scrolled through the morning's emails. Nothing from Uncle Jeremy. "You must have forgotten to send me that one. Maybe because it only would have showed your ignorance about a project you have nothing to do with? The power system is constructed and currently in storage at a secret facility, where it will remain until the patents are approved, which will likely be well before we need to fire it up onsite. The sale contracts don't need to be signed until we get council approval, which the council assures me will be as soon as this controversial Tremotino project is squared away. This high risk project, with so many red flags the council want to go through it with a fine tooth comb just in case they've missed anything. I mean, they're planning to build on an important archaeological site, with a high density development on land clearly zoned for rural use, and don't get me started on the hydrogeology assessment...those buildings will sink into the ground like the House of Usher within the first year. And those are just the issues I know about. At this rate, it's the Tremotino project that should be set on a high shelf in a quarantine facility, and isolated like Chernobyl."

Jeremy spluttered. "Have you even seen Tremotino's business plan?"

Leo laughed. "Oh, yes. For both this new project, and the last two that still haven't gotten off the ground. He has a talent for picking land no one else would build on because a development simply isn't feasible, then writing business plans that read like fiction. A return on investment within the first year, before he's even obtained council approval? Really? When every single one of our successful projects has a timeline of two years at least. HEA Sanctuary is possibly the only exception, because it was set up with equity as full or part payment for most of the contractors involved, plus no land or infrastructure sales are final until the council approval comes through. So even if we wait ten years for the sanctuary, which we won't, but if we did...there would be no cost to the company, as we haven't paid for anything yet."

"But the engineering contractor is still bankrupt!" Jeremy snapped.

Leo sighed. "A person can be bankrupt, but not a company. I think you mean insolvent, and I don't see how that's even possible. VEE owns all its assets, has no debts or significant expenses while it's on hiatus, not to mention no directors who can call for voluntary administration even if the company was in trouble, until their offices reopen, which I have it on good authority will be well before we get council approval." Leo rose from his seat, planted his hands on the table and leaned forward. "You see, before his death, my father was in negotiations with VEE to acquire their company, as part of our own, and I still have all of their financial records for the due diligence, before the process was paused and the company went on hiatus. When it reopens, I'll be negotiating in Dad's place with the new directors, but if any deal is likely to see us earn profit within a year...it's that one. Which is why I cannot believe you could entertain even the slightest rumour that they're in financial distress. The company could liquidate its assets and all its staff could live like kings!"

"They are going bankrupt – you don't know what you're talking about!" Jeremy blustered.

"It sounds like all you have are rumours, and unfounded ones at that, so I propose we put this discussion on next meeting's agenda, where I hope you'll have proof of these baseless accusations, and I can hopefully give an update on the health and safety incident, and subsequent investigation." Leo glanced down at the agenda. "I see the performance reviews have all been completed. Shall we discuss the possible promotions?"

Jeremy rose from his seat, shaking with fury. "I'll give you rumours! Their bankruptcy will make the front cover of this weekend's papers! Then who'll look like an idiot?"

Leo forced himself to smile. "I doubt I'll have time to read the news this week, Uncle. You see, I'm getting married on the weekend. But don't worry, I'll be back at work on Monday, taking care of the company just as well as Dad used to do. I have a responsibility to the board, as well as our staff...and by Monday, to my family as well."

"Who's the lucky man?" Jeremy snapped.

"The lucky lady's name is Lily, and I'm sure you'll see her pictures in the papers, instead of some imaginary bankruptcy announcement." Leo coughed. "Now, those promotions? I do like to see staff rewarded for their work."