Free Full Circle by Davis Bunn

gig?”
    Joshua crossed his arms. “I seek data. Your daughter has a singular ability to see to the heart of matters.”
    Not with Geoffrey Rambling , she silently corrected him. “Adam was completely uncomfortable with spending money, even though it was given to him specifically to kit him out.”
    Joshua erupted. “Really, Peter. You gave him money from the company accounts?”
    Peter waved that aside. “So the man is miserly. Given what the company faces, I’d say it is a distinct advantage.”
    â€œUntil we know more, I must insist that Wright not be permitted access to company matters.”
    â€œDon’t be absurd, Joshua.”
    â€œAbsurd, am I? What if he is another spy?”
    â€œYou have no evidence any such spy exists. Or even that mvp is after us.”
    â€œNo, but I’m looking. It’s only a matter of time before I ferret them out.”
    Peter sighed his exasperation and picked up the phone. “Mrs. Drummond, be so good as to ask Adam Wright to join us.”

    When he entered the chairman’s office, Adam was greeted by a scene strong as a warning light. Peter Austin frowned mightily at something on his desk. Two chairs were drawn up to the desk’s other side. Joshua Dobbins occupied one. Kayla stood behind the other, her fingers playing nervously on the back. She would not meet his gaze.
    â€œYou have him here, Joshua,” Peter said. “Do get on with it.”
    The finance man said to Adam, “I want to know what proposals you intend to put forward.”
    â€œYou gave me thirty days.”
    â€œIndeed you did, Joshua,” Peter agreed. “You told me that yourself.”
    â€œIf the man is half as good as you claim, he will not have arrived here empty-handed.”
    Adam confirmed, “Actually, I have been studying several possibilities since I met with Peter in Washington.”
    Peter’s features cleared somewhat. “Have you indeed?”
    â€œOne is a German company. Herrstadt.”
    Joshua rose from his chair. “Spell that.”
    Adam did so. Joshua stepped in beside his chairman and typed into the computer. Joshua read off the screen, “Herrstadt’s specialty is structural engineering. Traded on the Frankfurt exchange. Three hundred million euro turnover.” Joshua glanced up. “Their stock is down forty-one percent for the year. Hardly a ringing endorsement.”
    Adam replied, “Herrstadt specializes in overseas public works projects. Bridges, roads, sewage systems. They won a major contract for rebuilding Basra, the main port city in Iraq. Four months ago, their two top engineers were kidnapped. Their men were freed, but the company has since pulled out of the country. They lost a ton in retainer, and they had no project to take up the slack. It’s put them in the red for the year. They’re listed on the Frankfurt exchange. Their stock tanked.”
    Joshua stood by the computer. He wore what was apparently his standard uniform of white shirt, dark pants, dark tie. His face was as starched and narrow as his clothes. “This is a reason to invest in them?”
    â€œBefore the civil crisis, they were the largest road builders in the Congo.”
    Joshua protested to the company chairman, “This is insane. The Congo makes the Iraq crisis look like a cakewalk.”
    â€œIt did,” Adam corrected. “But not anymore.”
    Peter said, “Let the man finish, Joshua.”
    â€œThe United Nations has just pulled off the first free elections in forty years,” Adam went on. “There is a growing sentiment among companies specializing in the developing world that the Congo is going to be the next big success story. The worldwide commodities market is exploding. Copper prices have doubled, silver is up five hundred percent. The Congo is a major supplier of both. The new government’s first act was to sign a contract with Newland Mining for one