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“Listen, we don’t have much time,” Brian cautioned.
“We don't have much time. I just got here.”
“The problem isn't you, Jessica. Have you ever heard of Matheson?”
Jessica's face went pale. “Yes, everyone's heard of Matheson.”
“Our trusting CEO sent him here for tonight only to have dinner with us both.”
“No way!”
“Oh, yes way! He will be here soon and he’s going to be looking for any flaw he can find. I think we need a game plan.”
“Okay?” Jessica said. Brian could hear the suspicion in her voice, but he wasn’t sure why and he didn’t have time to figure it out.
“So, I think we should try to make each other look good.”
Jessica’s eyes popped open. “Make each other look good? I don’t think we know enough about each other to do that.”
“It won’t be hard. Just go along with what you think is an idealistic thing for me to have and I’ll do the same thing.”
Brian could see that Jessica didn’t think this was such a great plan.
“Jessica?”
She nodded and Brian felt a blanket of relief fall over him. They would be able to get through this. He knew. Besides, they were both intelligent people, they could do this.
An hour later he wasn’t so sure.
Silas Matheson showed up precisely at 7 p.m. He was a short man who might have had some muscle on his body at one time but now just had the lean shape that comes with age and the washed-out skin that comes from not enough sun. It was rumored he was about seventy-two, but it didn’t make him any less dangerous.
Brian plated the linguine and salmon, and it was on from there.
“So, the two of you realize why I am here?” Matheson asked.
Jessica and Brian nodded.
“Good. The meal is an added bonus. When most people hear I’m coming, they want to meet in a dark alley.”
Jessica snorted. Brian looked over at her and she shrugged.
“Let’s start with you, Jessica. Do you mind if I call you both by your first names? I mean, we are at dinner with one another.”
“Of course, Silas.”
Mr. Matheson stopped and placed his fork and spoon down.
“I’m afraid I’m not comfortable with anyone calling me Silas.”
Brian’s fork stopped midway to his mouth and that was the beginning.
“So, let’s start this.”
“Brian, do you think you are really ready to be the CFO?” Matheson asked.
“Well —” Brian began.
“I know that Mr. Cholan has been very active in the financials for the company, almost as if he’d been running it,” Jessica said with a bright smile as she shoved in a mouthful of pasta.
