Shot of Silence (Justice Again Book 3) by M Comley (best contemporary novels txt) 📗

with investors taking a punt on the stock market, although it has been known now and again. You know, if someone has been left a large sum in a family member’s Will, an inheritance, or been left a house and they ring up to enquire about the best way to invest their money.”

“Really? They come to you as opposed to going to a financial expert?”

“People try to cut out the middleman, see financial advisors as a waste of money. Some can be, but most of them are okay. You’ll always get the odd person trying to save money, though. I can see if she’s dealt with any members of the public lately, if that’s what you want?”

“It would definitely be a help. We’ll need a list of people she’d possibly spoken to over the past couple of months, if that’s all right?”

His shoulders slumped, and he collapsed back in his chair. “That could take weeks to sort out. We have over…what…? I suppose a hundred thousand or more clients, that’s off the top of my head.”

“Crikey. I didn’t really think it would be that many. Do your best, maybe over the past few weeks rather than months, in that case,” Katy corrected. “We’ll also need to speak to the colleagues she came into contact with daily also.”

“That’s easy enough. I’ve only just promoted her, within the last month or so. She had a team of four under her. I can arrange for you to see them all, organise a spare room to talk privately with them, if that’s what you want?”

“That would be excellent, as soon as we’ve finished talking. What was your take on Grace?”

He shrugged. “She was a very likeable character. She had a stubborn streak, which was what drew me to her and ended up being the main reason I promoted her.”

“I see. Stubborn, as in?”

“She knew her own mind and wasn’t easily swayed by others. Willing to work on her own initiative without knocking on my door every two hours or so, seeking advice on what to do when certain queries cropped up, like her predecessor did.”

“Okay. About her predecessor, was that person male or female?”

“Male. Bill Enright, he was ancient really. Sixty-two. I should have had the balls to get rid of him a few years back.”

“May I ask why?” Katy asked as Charlie jotted down the executive’s answers.

“Because as soon as I initiated the change, our profit margins leapt up to another level, a much higher level.”

“All because of Grace Hunt’s efforts?” Katy asked, unsure how the dynamics of her team worked.

“Indirectly, yes. She was open with her team. Told them to come to her when they had problems that needed solving rather than stew on things, which Bill used to encourage during his tenure as leader. The team’s confidence appeared to improve overnight. I know most people will find that hard to believe, but it’s true. In my opinion, she was one in a million.” His head bowed, and he coughed slightly. “I will miss her. One of those people who brightened your life when she said hello to you, if that makes sense? Although there was a more ruthless side to her which bubbled beneath the surface on occasions.”

“She sounded an amazing character. A person who could solve any problem fairly perhaps?”

“Oh yes, that times a hundred. I noticed the change in the staff within a day of her taking over. Wait, maybe I’m exaggerating there a touch, let’s call it a week. As I said, profits rose at the same time and, let’s face it, that’s the most important thing in our line of business.”

“Great to hear that someone is capable of turning a firm around like that. You’ll miss her input around here, I should imagine.”

“I will, in more ways than one. I’ll have to see what the others have to offer now before I can appoint a replacement. This will knock the stuffing out of them for a while, it’s bound to, isn’t it?”

“I would think so, yes. Do you usually promote internally? Or do you open up the interviews to outsiders as well?”

“I always do the latter as a matter of principal. There’s a chance I could strike it lucky and snap up a super-experienced candidate who has relocated to the area, perhaps. I tend to steer clear of people who have left a rival firm lately. And, before you ask, that’s just my suspicious mind at work.”

Katy smiled and nodded. “Always good to have some form of doubt guiding you in business.”

“Oh yes, especially a financial business. It’s seen me right over the years.”

“And there were never any ill-feelings with any of Grace’s colleagues?”

“No, she got on with everyone. Any conflicts are generally worked out within a few hours of them arising. I believe in running a happy ship. It keeps things stable in choppy waters, and there’s been a fair few of them over the past few years. The stock market has been up and down like a prostitute’s undies, if you’ll excuse the analogy.”

Katy grinned. “You’re excused. What about jealous partners?”

He frowned and sat forward again. “I’m not with you.”

“If you say everyone got on well, is there a possibility that Grace got on too well with one of her colleagues?”

“Never, not Grace, I refuse to believe that of her. She was happily married with kids.”

“I should think, over the years, that’s been said about a lot of people who have managed to stray with work colleagues. What about Christmas parties, under the mistletoe perhaps?”

He shook his head and tutted. “You couldn’t be more wrong. Grace was above all of that. She loved the bones of Toby.”

“Okay, that’s good to hear. I didn’t mean to cause any offence. I had to ask, please forgive me.”

“Of course. I understand you have a job to do, but surely, if I’ve given you a character assessment already, why would you then try to tarnish her name?”

“I wasn’t aware I had. All I did was ask a genuine question.”

“I’m