Ratio(5)
“The French business? Sure, just about everybody did. A PR nightmare, if you ask me.”
“Exactly. Since that sorry business, we’ve cut down on R&D spending. I don’t want anything like that happening again. Not with the sort of work we do.”
Merrill shook his head. “You’re not doing anything untoward, so far as I can see.”
“That’s the point,” Leopold said. “You’re not supposed to see. Chemworks was wrapped up in some pretty nasty stuff.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not sure. The boys in Brussels didn’t want an American running the show. The EU regulatory board forced me out years ago.”
“You still kept your shares, though.”
“Yes, but I lost any voting rights. I was off the board, had no access to their findings. Only what I’ve heard on the grapevine. That’s how the sale went through without my consent.”
Merrill turned his attention back to his computer screen. “Yes, it was quite the hostile takeover.”
“Understatement of the year.”
“Still no idea who the purchaser was?”
Leopold shook his head. “No. It was a closed shop deal. Parent company was a shell, no way of tracking down the owners. The French courts sealed the papers. Whoever the buyers are, they’ve got their hands on some pretty lethal stuff.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“Mostly engineered pathogens. The sort of thing you might use to develop a vaccine.” Leopold sat up. “Or a weapon.”
Merrill chuckled. “Sounds a little dramatic, don’t you think? I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“Not without a little help.” He stood up.
“Your friends at the NYPD? Are they still talking to you?”
“As far as I know, yeah.”
Merrill smiled. “You know, with all your money and resources, I don’t know why you spend your time running around with the police. It’s not healthy. People are talking.”
Leopold ignored him. “Is there anything else?”
The accountant closed his ledger. “No, I’m done with you for now. I’ll have the audit ready for your team to look at in a few weeks.”
“How exciting.” Leopold headed for the door. “I can’t wait.”
Merrill sighed. “A pleasure as always, Mr. Blake.”
Leopold stepped out of the office, letting the heavy door swing closed behind him. Tax season was always a drag, but a necessary evil. Since the death of his parents when he was a teenager, Leopold had inherited control of Blake Investments Inc., a global corporation and umbrella company for dozens of diverse businesses across the world. Unfortunately, part of the job meant dealing with accountants and lawyers, most of whom hated his guts. He could see why.
Catching the elevator down to ground level, Leopold pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number from memory. The call picked up.
“Blake, this isn’t a good time,” a woman’s voice answered.
“Is it ever?”
“What do you want, Leopold?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m on a case. This really isn’t a good time.”
“Mary, I need your help with something.” The elevator slowed to a halt and the doors opened. Leopold stepped out into the lobby, avoiding the crowds as he headed for the exit. The sun streamed through the tall windows, flooding the marble-clad hall with light.
“Is this about Paris again? You know that’s not my jurisdiction.”
“I know, I know. But you were there; you know what went down.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Mary, I can’t do this without you.” Leopold pushed the glass doors open and headed out onto the street, the busy NYC traffic slowing his pace. “Where are you?”
“Queens. Like I said, on a case.”
“Anything interesting?”
“Possible homicide. Gang related, it looks like.”
“Boring.” Leopold pushed past a hot dog stand, the scent of fried onions hitting his nostrils. He wondered where he could grab lunch. “When are you done?”
Mary sighed loudly. “The NYPD was not put on this earth for your amusement. I’ll be here until Forensics finishes up. Could be a few hours. Then it’s paperwork. Then bed.”
“Oakes got you on the early shift?”
“Yeah. No rest for the wicked, huh?”
“Meet me for dinner. I know a new place, almost impossible to get in. Unless you’re me, of course.”
“Rain check,” Mary said. “I’ve got to go.”
“Tell me a little more about the case,” said Leopold, crossing the street. “Maybe I can help you get out of there a little earlier.”