‘There’s no mistaking the concept has merit,’ he began cautiously, and Tegan sensed the man beside her stiffen. ‘And I can feel the passion you have for the project. But, given the Giuseppe Zeppa situation, how can we be sure Zeppabanca will want to continue their part in the deal?’
‘Giuseppe was right behind the project from the start.’
‘But if he has to stand down, or should the worst happen…’ Rogerson held up his hands in a shrug and nobody was in doubt as to what that worst might be. ‘What if their next CEO isn’t enthusiastic, or wants to reconsider? You have to understand my position. I can’t afford to be tied into an uncertainty that locks me out of other opportunities. You were aware I had two other partnership proposals on my desk—well, just this morning I received a third, and this one starts in less than three months. I’ll have guaranteed employment for my teams for the next three years.’
‘The Royalty Cove deal will see them busy for at least seven!’
‘But may not go ahead.’
‘It will go ahead. And to be the best Royalty Cove needs Rogerson Developments on board. There’s no question of that.’
‘And, if it does, then when will it happen?’ He sighed. ‘I’m afraid I think I’d need an assurance from Zeppabanca that they’re going to be party to this deal.’
‘You know Giuseppe is ill. I can’t give you that.’
‘I realise that. So maybe we’ve all been wasting our time.’
‘Then I will give you my personal guarantee!’
Every head swung around in surprise.
‘What do you mean?’ Rogerson asked, his eyes narrowed into slits. ‘Your “personal guarantee”?’
All eyes turned to Maverick for the answer to the question on everyone’s lips.
‘Simply this. That if concerns about your teams lying idle for any time are stopping you from committing to Royalty Cove, then I’ll take that concern right away. I’ll cover your teams for any losses they make or any delays while we wait for news on Zeppabanca. You won’t be out of pocket, and more importantly they won’t be out of a job. Nobody will lose.’
Tegan watched the interplay between the two men, both of them successful, both of them leaders, and yet one risk averse, the other a risk taker. Now Maverick was not merely putting his support behind the project, he was backing it with cold, hard cash, and plenty of it.
Rogerson finally arched one heavily forested eyebrow and grunted, and with that gesture Tegan instantly felt herself transported back to the refugee camp in Somalia, tending a line of women and children waiting to see the visiting Médecin Sans Frontières team. And at the head of the queue, sitting on a camp stool while he tended a crying baby, while its hollow-eyed mother watched on hopelessly, had been a late-thirties man with wild hair and bushy eyebrows who’d made the kids laugh when he’d cocked one up high and then waggled them. Everyone had simply referred to him as Dr Sam, but his surname had been Rogerson, she was sure. And the resemblance was all too suddenly unmistakeable.
‘I think we should break for coffee and consider this latest development,’ Rogerson went on to say. He looked at his watch. ‘Fifteen-minute break, everyone.’
Pots of filtered coffee and jugs of orange juice appeared on a side table, along with plates of cookies and tiny sandwiches.
Several of the legal team came to talk to Maverick, and Tegan noticed Rogerson being similarly besieged at the other end of the table. She eased away to pour Maverick a coffee and grab herself a juice, wondering if she’d get the chance to talk to Phil at all and ask him about the connection when in fact it was Phil who found her.
‘Finding everything okay?’
She turned in surprise to see him helping himself to a plate of sandwiches, a smile softening his wrinkled face, and she wondered why it had taken her so long to work out the connection. ‘Yes, thanks. I’m surprised you got away from the throng surrounding you.’
He chortled. ‘It’s the quick or the dead in this business. I must say, that boss of yours is a very persuasive man.’
Tegan nodded, reminded of that kiss outside the lift, knowing how close she’d come to being swept completely away. Oh, yes, she knew how persuasive he could be. She suppressed a shiver at the memory and dragged her attention back to the business at hand. ‘Maverick is passionate about the project, and wanting it to be the best it can be. That’s why he wants you on board.’
He shrugged with a nod and took a mouthful of sandwich, and Tegan was once more reminded of Sam. ‘You know,’ she ventured, ‘I hope you don’t mind my asking this, but you look so much like someone I know. You’re not related to Sam Rogerson, by any chance, are you?’