‘Corporate intelligence is investigative research into companies you might be interested in buying or sectors or opportunities you have an interest in. One CI start-up a friend of mine backed two years ago has unicorn status already. He’s made an absolute killing.’
‘So why do you think Sachs would be interested in corporate intelligence?’
Becker gave a low laugh.
‘Because due diligence is Mike’s superpower. You want to know why Michael Sachs is so successful? He researches everything and everyone he invests in and uses what he finds as leverage.’
David paused to wipe the handle of his racket with a towel. ‘In fact I sent your mate Stefan Melberg his way.’
Alex tried not to react.
‘Stefan?’ he repeated, his heart jumping. ‘What for? Investment?’
‘No, I didn’t think his news idea stacked up, but I thought Stefan was smart and Sachs mentioned he was on the lookout for brilliant researchers, so I recommended him.’
‘Wow. I’ve always got the idea that Stefan was kind of anti-corporate. Did he do it?’
Becker shrugged and tossed Alex the ball. ‘No idea. But I do know Michael Sachs pays very, very well. I find that overcomes a lot of principles.’
Yes, thought Alex, throwing up a serve. I imagine it does.
Chapter 33
‘…And the final lot in the auction, ladies and gentlemen, is the grand prize.’ A twitter of excitement ran around the hotel ballroom. ‘One week in Penelope and Richard Devaine’s villa on Harbour Island!’
There was a ripple of applause and Lara looked over at her Aunt Olivia.
‘It’s beautiful,’ she said. ‘Nicholas and I stayed there last New Year.’
Lara had always wondered why anyone would want to come to a society fundraiser. Yes, Claridge’s was a beautiful hotel and the lunch had been lavish, but who would pay upwards of a thousand pounds a ticket for the privilege of spending yet more money on auction prizes donated by your friends? But then again, Lara had always wanted to go to the Bahamas. And right now, being 4,000 miles from this spot seemed eminently appealing.
‘Who will start me off at a very modest one thousand pounds?’ asked the auctioneer.
There was an expectant pause, then a slim arm went up. An elderly lady at the next table in a black velvet dress.
‘That’s Elspeth Hart-Daniels,’ whispered Olivia, leaning across. ‘She’ll be hoping that someone outbids her.’
‘She doesn’t actually want to win?’
‘Why?’
‘Ted – her husband – lost a packet in the last crunch. She’s still putting on a brave face, but she can’t afford to fly to Nassau, let alone stay on the island for a week.’
The one saving grace about this lunch had been having Olivia sitting next to her. Olivia knew everyone in the room and had the inside track on their wealth, politics and social position. It was fascinating, like watching a soap opera with the director giving a running commentary. Lara watched Mrs. Hart-Daniels’ face when another bid came in. The old woman tried to look disappointed, but Lara could see the relief.
‘You’re right,’ said Lara and Olivia nodded.
Looking at the lunch through her reporter’s eyes, Lara could see that the event was really about power. People flexing their wealth, showing how little money meant to them, creating a little league table of who was the most important. Even the seating plan was loaded with meaning. The top players sat at the front, the most visible and the most vocal in the auctions, everyone applauding their bids, but the prime spot was at Victoria Sachs’s table slap-bang in middle of the room, surrounded by admirers, desperate to gain a smile or an acknowledgement from the Queen Bee. The question for Lara was how could she break through that ring and get to Victoria Sachs?
Lara took a sip of wine trying to think it through. She knew it had been risky coming here today, but what else could she do? She remembered something Alex had once said when he was back in London, heading up the news desk. She’d been having trouble with a story, hitting dead end after dead end.
‘Sometimes you’ve got to shake the tree and see what falls out,’ Alex had told her.
‘We have a new bid,’ said the auctioneer, leaning forward from his podium, shading his eyes to peer into the crowd. ‘A generous bid from the lovely Marguerite Hurlingham.’ A ripple of applause and a cool smile from Victoria Sachs.
‘So who will give me a bid of ten thousand pounds?’
Suddenly Lara knew what she had to do.