AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Another security check awaited me on the tenth floor. A guard inspected my pass and ID before nodding me through. I supposed these big financial institutions had to take their security seriously. London was a different world compared to Auckland.
“Please take a seat, Amelia. Alan will be with you shortly,” the blonde woman at reception said.
I settled onto a couch along the wall, clutching my bag in my lap. My knee bounced with excess adrenaline as I scanned the waiting area—all gleaming surfaces and minimalist sophistication.
I had no idea what to expect with this meeting. Neil had given me Alan Dixon’s business card and told me to contact him as soon as I arrived in London. To arrange a job interview, he said, but I knew that had to be a cover for something else. What, I did not know. Alan had revealed little on the phone.
Minutes later, a man strode towards me, hand extended. Recognition stirred, but I couldn’t quite grasp where I had seen him before. He looked to be in his early sixties, with grey hair, a neatly groomed beard, and black-framed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His tailored suit was reminiscent of Neil’s impeccable style, and he possessed a gentlemanly air, with ambiguous features which were somehow menacing and benevolent in equal measure. “Amelia, how lovely to see you again!”
I shook his proffered hand, still struggling to place him. “Mr. Dixon, I’m so sorry. I recognise you, but I don’t quite remember?—”
“Understandable. We met briefly in Singapore.”
It suddenly clicked. “Oh, of course! At the shareholder meeting.”
I retraced my memory. Avenex was one of the largest shareholders in Zelthia after the chairman. Neil had introduced me to Alan Dixon, along with several other important people.
“That’s right.” Dixon’s eyes crinkled behind his glasses. “I must say, you handled yourself admirably that day, stepping in for Neil’s presentation on such short notice.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“You made it here okay?”
“Yes. Now I know why everyone raves about the public transit here.”
“It’s a convenient system. I’m glad you were able to figure it out. Shall we?” He gestured towards the frosted glass door through which he had emerged.
Since Neil had asked me to meet with Dixon, that meant I could trust him, right? Either way, it was too late to back out now.
Dixon unlocked the door with his access card, and I followed him inside. Five smartly dressed employees populated the open-plan office within, but we bypassed them to enter a private inner room. As we stepped inside, a young woman glanced up from her seat at the table within. She had an oval-shaped face framed by long dark hair tied back in a low ponytail. An air of quiet capability surrounded her, along with a poise that struck me as almost military. She looked different from the other employees here. Who was she?
Dixon secured the door behind us with a resounding click. “Take a seat.”
I lowered myself onto a chair as Dixon rounded the table to sit beside the unknown woman.
“I’ll get right to business, Amelia,” Dixon said, lacing his fingers on the table top. “Neil has informed me of certain… developments between you two, and the implications those developments may have for your safety. He arranged this meeting so I could oversee your security during your time here and facilitate contact between you.”
Neil had set this all up so Dixon could take care of me in London?
“I think I understand. So, you’re working with Neil?”
Dixon inclined his head. “For some time now. Our sights have been set on problematic figures at the helm of Zelthia. Daniel Ling chief among them.” He shifted in his seat. “With the chairman’s recent passing, the will reading is imminent. Neil believes he is named as a beneficiary. We can expect Daniel to fight to maintain complete control over the company.”
My mind spun, struggling to absorb all the implications. “Neil is… I thought Veronica…”
“Neil and the chairman had a special relationship. Neil was his protégé, superior to Daniel in every way, apart from blood.”
“What about Veronica?”
“Neil and Veronica are united in their cause. His share is as good as hers.”
“Is Neil going to be okay?”
“I should think so. It would look very suspicious if he suddenly died or disappeared at this point. Daniel wouldn’t be stupid enough. No, the person who is in the most danger right now is you.”
I recoiled. Neil had warned me I could be in danger, but Dixon’s words still came as a shock.
“I’m afraid Daniel either knows, or has guessed, that you are Neil’s weak point.” Alan’s eyes drilled into mine. “Neil thought you would be safe here, but he was wrong. An inside source has informed me that Daniel knows your whereabouts, and he intends to use you as a means of leverage against Neil. If Daniel’s thugs capture you, he could coerce Neil into relinquishing his stake. You are now an active target.”
