Whos that? the lad shouted from behind the reception desk, eyes glued to his phone.
His slick haircut and branded hoodie screamed Im important and a total indifference to anyone else in the room.
Elizabeth Anderson adjusted the modest but sturdy satchel on her shoulder. Shed dressed on purpose to blend in: a plain blouse, a skirt just under the knee, sensible flats with no heels.
The former managing director, Gregory a greyhaired, weary man whod just sealed the deal on the takeover gave a polite smile when she laid out her plan.
A Trojan horse, Elizabeth, he said with deference. Theyll bite the bait without seeing the hook. They wont crack you until its too late.
Im your new paperwork clerk, she replied, voice calm and deliberately low, stripped of any authority.
Finally the guy looked up. He scanned her from head to toe scuffed shoes to neatly brushed grey hair and a barely concealed smirk flickered across his face. He didnt bother hiding it.
Ah right, they said wed get a new hire. Got the security pass?
I do, here you go.
He lazily tapped the turnstile, as if pointing the way for a lost compass.
Your desk is somewhere back there, at the end of the hall. Figure it out.
Elizabeth nodded. I will, she thought, heading toward the buzzing openplan area that resembled a beehive.
Shed been untangling things for forty years. Shed rescued a nearbankrupt family business after her husbands sudden death, turned it into a profitmaking venture. Shed navigated tricky investments that later multiplied her capital. Shed even survived the loneliness of a huge empty house in 65 without losing her mind.
Buying this thriving yet, in her gut, rottinginside IT firm was the most intriguing puzzle shed taken on lately.
Her desk sat at the very back, next to a door that led to the archives. Old, scuffed, with a squeaky chair, it looked like an island of the past in a sea of shiny tech.
Settling in okay? a sweettoned voice drifted over. In front of her stood Olivia, head of marketing, in a perfectly pressed ivory suit.
She smelled of pricey perfume and success.
Trying, Elizabeth smiled softly.
Youll need to sort through the contracts for the Altair project from last year. Theyre in the archives. Shouldnt be too hard, Olivia said with a patronising lilt, as if handing a task to someone with limited ability.
Olivia gave her a look that said ancient relic. As she walked away, heels clicking, Elizabeth heard a low chuckle behind her:
Our HRs lost the roof. Soon well be hiring dinosaurs.
Elizabeth pretended not to hear. She needed to look around.
She headed for the development wing, stopping at a glass meeting room where a few young lads were heatedly debating something.
Miss, looking for something? a tall bloke called out as he rose from his desk.
Stanley, the lead developer the companys future star, at least thats what his selfwritten bio claimed.
Yes, dear, Im looking for the archives.
Stanley smirked, turned to his mates who were watching like it was free entertainment.
Love, youre in the wrong department. The archives are over there he waved vaguely toward her desk. Were busy with real work. Work youve never even dreamed of.
A small murmur rippled through the crowd. Elizabeth felt a cold, steady anger rise in her chest.
She stared at their smug faces, at the pricey watch on Stanleys wrist. All bought with her money.
Thanks, she replied evenly. Now I know exactly where Im going.
The archive turned out to be a cramped, windowless room. Elizabeth dove in. The Altair folder popped up almost immediately.
She methodically flipped through papers contracts, annexes, certificates. At first glance everything looked spotless, but her seasoned eye snagged on the details. Figures in the contractor CyberSystems invoices were rounded to the nearest thousand a classic sign of either laziness or a coverup.
The work descriptions were vague: consultancy services, analytical support, process optimisation. Shed seen that playbook back in the nineties.
A few hours later the door creaked open and a nervouslooking girl stepped in.
Good morning. Im Leah from accounts. Olivia said youre here You probably cant get into the digital system? I can show you.
There was not a hint of superiority in her tone.
Thanks, Leah. That would be very helpful.
No problem, love. Its just some people dont grow up with a tablet in their hand, you know, Leah blushed, fumbling with the software.
As Leah explained the programme, Elizabeth thought even a swamp could have a clean spring.
Before Leah could leave, Stanley reentered.
I need the contract with CyberSystems. ASAP.
He spoke as if issuing an order.
Hello, Elizabeth replied calmly. Im just reviewing those documents. Give me a minute.
A minute? I dont have a minute. Ive got a call in five. Why isnt this digitised yet? What the hell are you doing here?
His arrogance was his Achilles heel. He was convinced no one, especially an old woman, could ever check his work.
Its my first day, she said evenly. And Im trying to fix what wasnt done before I arrived.
I dont care! he snapped, snatching the folder from her desk. You oldtimers are always a problem.
He stalked out, slamming the door. Elizabeth didnt follow. Shed seen enough.
She pulled out her phone and dialled her private solicitor.
Arthur, good afternoon. Could you look into a company for me? CyberSystems. I have a feeling the owners are interesting.
The next morning her phone buzzed.
Elizabeth, you were right. CyberSystems is a shell company registered to a certain MrPetrov who, by the way, happens to be the cousin of your lead developer, Stanley. Classic moneylaundering setup.
Thanks, Arthur. Thats all I needed to know.
The climax came after lunch. Everyone was called into the weekly briefing. Olivia beamed as she outlined the latest wins.
Oops, I forgot to print the conversion report. Elizabeth her mic amplified her voice with a frosty edge could you please fetch the Q4 folder from the archives? And try not to get lost.
The room filled with a low chuckle. Elizabeth stood up, calm. The point of no return was already behind her. She returned a few minutes later. Stanley was perched next to Olivia, whispering away.
Heres our saviour! Stanley announced with forced warmth. Lets work faster. Time is money. Especially our money.
The word our was the last straw.
Elizabeth straightened, shoulders shedding any slump. Her gaze turned icy and unflinching.
Youre right, Stanley. Time is indeed money. Especially the kind thats been siphoned through CyberSystems. Doesnt it seem this project benefits you personally more than the company?
Stanleys face tightened, his smile vanished.
I Im not sure what youre getting at
Really? Then perhaps you can explain to everyone here who MrPetrov is?
A heavy silence fell. Olivia tried to interject.
Excuse me, what does this employee have to do with the companys finances?
Elizabeth didnt even glance at her. She walked slowly around the table and took the centre seat.
I have a direct stake, thank you. Allow me to introduce myself: Elizabeth Anderson, the new owner of this firm.
If a grenade had gone off in that room, the impact would have been less shocking.
Stanley, she continued in a frosty tone youre dismissed. My lawyers will contact you and your relative. And Id advise you not to leave town.
Stanley sank back in his chair, as if the air had been sucked out of him.
Olivia, youre also terminated. For professional incompetence and creating a toxic atmosphere.
Olivias face flushed.
How dare you!
I have every right, Elizabeth replied succinctly. You have an hour to pack. Security will escort you out.
The same applied to anyone who thought age gave them a licence to be ignored. The receptionist and two developers from the team were also shown the door.
A genuine shockwave ran through the building.
Over the next few days well undergo a full audit, Elizabeth announced.
Her eyes landed on Leah, standing at the far end.
Leah, could you come over, please?
The girl approached, trembling.
In the two days youve been here, youre the only one whos shown professionalism and basic humanity.
Im setting up a new internalcontrols department and Id like you on my team. Well discuss your new role and training tomorrow.
Leahs mouth dropped open, speechless.
Youll manage, Elizabeth said confidently. And everyone else, except those whove been let go, back to work. The days not over.
She turned and walked out, leaving the crumbling edifice of arrogance behind.
She didnt feel triumphant, just a cold satisfaction like the feeling after a job well done. To rebuild a solid house, you first have to clear the rotten timber.
And that, she thought, was just the beginning of her grand cleanup.
