top floor where Alfredo had his personal offices. Reception for the law firm was on the level below. This was a deliberately intended illusion of separation. Alfredo was determined, now that he was no longer a practising partner, to appear distinct from 'his' law firm in order to pursue his political ambitions. Marta, and most of the powerful in Madrid, knew better.
Entering the reception area, Alfredo's usual stunning receptionist greeted her. This one looked foreign. Nevertheless, he spoke immaculate Spanish, albeit with a light Buenos Aires accent. He apologised that Señor Gómez was running very late and had called to ask if Marta would join him for lunch at two o'clock. Meanwhile, the receptionist offered her a guest office to use.
As it happened this change of plan suited Marta rather well. She had always intended to do some shopping in the excellent stores nearby, after first seeing Alfredo. She had declined the use of the office but said she would be back before 2 p.m.
She was now sitting at a table in a smart restaurante waiting for Alfredo. The shopping had proved productive, if expensive. She glanced up to see Alfredo approaching with a big smile on his face.
"Marta, how lovely to see you! You look as delightful as always, if a little severe in that very smart suit. Pinstripes always look much better on a lady than a man." He kissed her before sitting down.
"You're as charming as ever, Alfredo, which is probably as bad for your health as it is for mine. Nevertheless, thank you for the compliments."
"You've always been stunning. I can clearly remember seeing you for the first time at university. You have only improved with time, which does not happen to most."
"Generosity of words may get you most places, but not all."
"You're right. It does. But not all places, more's the pity."
Their reciprocating smiles were hardly those of friends, but more like a pair of wolves circling before deciding whom to chew next.
In fact Marta was relieved. The flirting charade usually had to be played at some point by Alfredo. It seemed to flatter his ego. Now it was out of the way, and not waiting in the wings to make an unwelcome appearance, she could focus on why she had come to Madrid.
She looked at Alfredo. He seemed pleased with himself. She hoped her news was not going to spoil this good humour though she feared it would. They ordered. Neither chose wine. She preferred a tonic water and he a Vodka Martini.
Once the waiter disappeared she started describing the ORS letters and how she feared they might affect Alfredo and his firm. Like Luis the previous day, Alfredo did not interrupt. That alone was unusual. He was rarely short of words or interruptions.
When she had finished he sat there like a stone. She waited. It was for him to react.
When eventually he did it was in a way that surprised her.
"I already know of this ORS company. Between you and me, other clients of my firm have received similar letters from it on behalf of CE, ServiArquitectos and MMH. Those clients have consulted with my ex-colleagues, who approached me because I was then the senior partner.
"On the basis of similar letters the firm looked into ORS. It's genuine. It's also being run by a rather unimaginative Texan who sees only the financial dimension, though I guess that's what he's paid for. Even so, in my view, ORS has some real potential to do damage, but probably not for some years given how slowly our legal system works, aided and abetted by the likes of my firm and its equivalents."
Alfredo smiled sardonically, though more to himself than at Marta.
"So, if you already knew all this, where does it leave everybody?"
"A good question, my dear Marta, and one to which I must add a further complication. You may have remarked on my good humour earlier. Yes?"
Marta nodded.
"This is for your ears only. I will not even tell my dear wife for the moment. She'd broadcast the news to her world without thinking. I've just come from a meeting
Entering the reception area, Alfredo's usual stunning receptionist greeted her. This one looked foreign. Nevertheless, he spoke immaculate Spanish, albeit with a light Buenos Aires accent. He apologised that Señor Gómez was running very late and had called to ask if Marta would join him for lunch at two o'clock. Meanwhile, the receptionist offered her a guest office to use.
As it happened this change of plan suited Marta rather well. She had always intended to do some shopping in the excellent stores nearby, after first seeing Alfredo. She had declined the use of the office but said she would be back before 2 p.m.
She was now sitting at a table in a smart restaurante waiting for Alfredo. The shopping had proved productive, if expensive. She glanced up to see Alfredo approaching with a big smile on his face.
"Marta, how lovely to see you! You look as delightful as always, if a little severe in that very smart suit. Pinstripes always look much better on a lady than a man." He kissed her before sitting down.
"You're as charming as ever, Alfredo, which is probably as bad for your health as it is for mine. Nevertheless, thank you for the compliments."
"You've always been stunning. I can clearly remember seeing you for the first time at university. You have only improved with time, which does not happen to most."
"Generosity of words may get you most places, but not all."
"You're right. It does. But not all places, more's the pity."
Their reciprocating smiles were hardly those of friends, but more like a pair of wolves circling before deciding whom to chew next.
In fact Marta was relieved. The flirting charade usually had to be played at some point by Alfredo. It seemed to flatter his ego. Now it was out of the way, and not waiting in the wings to make an unwelcome appearance, she could focus on why she had come to Madrid.
She looked at Alfredo. He seemed pleased with himself. She hoped her news was not going to spoil this good humour though she feared it would. They ordered. Neither chose wine. She preferred a tonic water and he a Vodka Martini.
Once the waiter disappeared she started describing the ORS letters and how she feared they might affect Alfredo and his firm. Like Luis the previous day, Alfredo did not interrupt. That alone was unusual. He was rarely short of words or interruptions.
When she had finished he sat there like a stone. She waited. It was for him to react.
When eventually he did it was in a way that surprised her.
"I already know of this ORS company. Between you and me, other clients of my firm have received similar letters from it on behalf of CE, ServiArquitectos and MMH. Those clients have consulted with my ex-colleagues, who approached me because I was then the senior partner.
"On the basis of similar letters the firm looked into ORS. It's genuine. It's also being run by a rather unimaginative Texan who sees only the financial dimension, though I guess that's what he's paid for. Even so, in my view, ORS has some real potential to do damage, but probably not for some years given how slowly our legal system works, aided and abetted by the likes of my firm and its equivalents."
Alfredo smiled sardonically, though more to himself than at Marta.
"So, if you already knew all this, where does it leave everybody?"
"A good question, my dear Marta, and one to which I must add a further complication. You may have remarked on my good humour earlier. Yes?"
Marta nodded.
"This is for your ears only. I will not even tell my dear wife for the moment. She'd broadcast the news to her world without thinking. I've just come from a meeting
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