Private Sydney (Private 12)

I RECOGNISED THE distinctive cravat and striped jacket from the social pages. Sir Lang Gillies, chairman of Contigo’s board.

‘You should have told me Eliza sent visitors.’ He made no attempt to hide his disdain.

‘Craig Gisto, Private Sydney, and this is Mary –’

‘I know who you are and you have been misled.’ He turned and limped on what looked like a bad hip. Mary and I followed with the assistant close behind.

‘Mr Moss’s daughter has asked us to find her father. If you know where he might be –’

‘The Bahamas, Noumea? Have you tried Tasmania, the Midlands?’ He waved arthritic fingers in the air. ‘He always talked about going there for a holiday.’

I stepped into line with him, past a couple of offices with staff answering phones.

I decided to be non-combative in my approach, despite the obvious animosity towards us. ‘We understand the timing and manner of his resignation was surprising.’

‘How so? The man was free to leave without notice. He’s no doubt taken up a more lucrative offer. And before you ask, it wasn’t my place to question him. I didn’t care to know.’

‘How many years was he with Contigo?’

‘I’ve been on the board for twenty-seven years. So a couple more than that. We built this organisation into what it is today …’

If that was the case, it was unusual; no golden handshake, no farewell, no drinks. Not even a media release.

‘… into a world-class research and development centre.’

We moved into an office. Mahogany bookshelves housed rows of photos, reaffirming Sir Lang’s importance to the world. Framed images of him with prime ministers, celebrities and a US president.

Gillies made sure we noticed. ‘Impressive,’ I said for his benefit as he plonked himself into a high-back leather chair behind a desk the Queen would have been proud to own. The assistant and Mary lingered in the doorway.

‘Is there any other reason you can think of that might have prompted Eric Moss to change jobs so suddenly? I mean, a quarter of a century with no changes, then,’ I snapped my fingers, ‘he’s gone in a flash. Without telling the people he’s closest to.’

Gillies opened the financial newspaper on his desk and looked up, as if bored by our presence.

‘I cannot discuss Moss’s work with you due to commercial in confidence.’ He reached into a drawer and pulled out some glossy brochures. ‘These should tell you all you need to know about what we do. Now, I have an organisation to run. Oliver will show you out.’

I took the promotional material and entered the corridor.

‘And, Oliver, bring me Eric’s diary. I’ll be personally handling all his appointments and calls.’

‘I’ll have to search for it, Sir Lang.’ The assistant seemed defeated. ‘Is there anything else?’

‘There’ll be significant restructuring in this office. Let the staff know that anyone breaching confidentiality by speaking to these people will be the first to go.’

Gillies really ticked me off. He was beyond arrogant. Anyone with a heart would want to make sure Eliza’s concerns were allayed.

Unless he had something to hide.

Chapter 14

I WASN’T ABOUT to be railroaded by Lang Gillies. I popped my head inside his door and asked if he objected to my using the bathroom on the way out. He grunted, but could hardly refuse.

Mary seized the opportunity to distract the old man by pointing to a photo of him in military uniform proudly displayed on his desk. I stepped back into the corridor and left her standing at ease by the picture, hands clasped behind her back.

‘Where did you serve, sir?’

The old soldier couldn’t resist the urge to brag. And Mary could keep him talking with her knowledge and experiences in the military. It bought me a few minutes with Oliver.

‘If Eric’s in some sort of trouble, maybe I can help,’ he volunteered.