tried to, Frank, when we were alone after the first session
yesterday. But somehow, I never got the chance.” She lowered
her eyes and folded her hands. “I’m sorry.”
“WaCom can’t do this,” Killegrew declared. “The state
utilities commission won’t allow it. Gene, you jump on this
first thing when we get back. Alert our public affairs people,
have them get the lobbyists in gear. It’s one thing for WaCom
to gobble up other computer companies, but they won’t get
their greedy mitts on us.”
Max, who was feeling his bald head to see if Margo’s plate
had left a lump, turned to Ava. “Who runs WaCom since
Jim Clevenger’s out of the picture?”
Briefly, Ava’s dark eyes met Max’s gaze. “Dick Freitas, the
second-in-command, took over as acting president and CEO.
WaCom’s been on a year-long talent search. They want
someone new, a fresh face, an outsider. I don’t know if
they’ve made a final decision yet or not.”
“They have.” Margo looked smug. “On Tuesday, they’ll
announce that their new chief is Alan Roth.”
Judith and Renie couldn’t stand the clamor that ensued
after Margo Chang’s announcement. After the first five
minutes of incredulous shrieks and outraged wails, the
cousins retreated to the kitchen.
“Andrea’s husband?” Judith was as disbelieving as the
OTIOSE executives. “Does that make sense?”
“Maybe he really is a computer genius,” Renie said, clearing
her plate into the garbage. “Just because he didn’t have an
official job doesn’t mean he wasn’t working. He
might have been some kind of consultant to WaCom.”
Judith sat down on one of the tall stools. “I don’t get it.
Shouldn’t a CEO have organizational and administrative
skills?”
Renie smirked. “Look at Frank. Does he strike you as a
managerial wizard? His strength is delegating. Maybe Alan
can do that, too.”
“You know,” Judith said, still looking perplexed, “if OTIOSE is an example of how the world of commerce runs, I’m
beginning to wonder how any companies or businesses keep
from going belly-up.”
“You’d wonder more if you had to deal with them like I
do,” Renie said. “Management has no loyalty to employees
and employees have no loyalty to the workplace. Common
sense seems to have gone out the window years ago. Everybody spends more time in useless meetings than getting
things done. And everybody brings their private lives to the
office, which becomes a group therapy session. Boy, am I
glad I work for myself. I’m a lousy boss, but I know how to
take criticism. I just tell myself to shut up and get down to
business.”
