She smiled, and sipped her coffee. She suddenly seemed to be sitting uncomfortably close to me. Or too comfortably close.
'Simon?'
'Yes.'
'Remember in Cincinnati when we talked about the firm?'
'Yes.'
'Well, things are developing. And I think you should know how. Let's sit down. Can I get you a drink?'
'OK.' I was curious to hear what she had to say. 'Have you got a Scotch?'
'I'm sure I can find one.'
We moved through to the sitting area, and Diane produced a glass of Scotch stuffed with ice for me, and a similar glass of what was probably bourbon for her.
We sat opposite each other. Safe. She tucked her long legs discreetly under the armchair and leaned back, watching me over the rim of her drink.
'Art was blasted today,' she said.
'I noticed.'
'And it wasn't the first time. The guy has suddenly dredged up a drink problem from somewhere. He's sliding downhill fast.'
'Gil must have noticed.'
'He has. And he's worried.'
'Is he still planning to retire?'
'He'd like to. He's considering sending Art to a clinic, or perhaps postponing fund-raising for a year.'
'But that won't solve anything,' I said. 'Art would be a disastrous Managing Partner of Revere. He was pretty awful before this. But with an alcohol problem? Gil might as well shut down Revere now.'
Diane gave a small smile. 'That's an interesting point of view.'
'Oh come off it, Diane, it's obvious. You think that. I'll bet our investors think that.'
As a matter of fact, they do,' she said, the smile still playing on her lips.
I remembered Diane's breakfast at the Meridien. 'I get it. You've spoken to Gil and Lynette Mauer about this haven't you? And other investors too, I'll bet?'
Diane didn't respond.
'Get rid of Art, and make you Managing Partner?'
Still no response.
'Do you think it will work?'
Diane allowed herself a grin. 'Yes, I think it will,' she said. 'Lynette is on board. Gil is wavering, but I'm working on him. But I'll need to build a team.'
'Yes, I see.'
'I'll need to recruit an experienced venture capitalist at partner level. And then there's Ravi, and you.'
'Me?'
'Yes. I need your help.'
'As a partner?'
'Yes. I'm sure you can handle it. I like the way you work. PC Homelease was a great deal. I think you'll succeed with Net Cop when the rest of us were going to write it off. I believe you'll be very good at this game.'
I sipped the Scotch, my mind racing. I badly wanted to be a partner of Revere. There was no point in going into venture capital unless you became partner. That was where the serious money was made, and where the serious decisions were taken. It was what I had wanted since I had joined the firm.
But I was wary of corporate politics. Diane was drawing me in, trying to get me to support her. Against Art. That was OK. Against Gil wouldn't be.
'You're hesitating,' said Diane.
'Oh, sorry. It sounds a great opportunity. I was just thinking it through. I don't want to become involved in some coup against Gil. I owe that man a lot.'
'He is a good man,' said Diane. And he likes you too. Art is putting a lot of pressure on him to fire you. But Gil wants to keep you on. So do I, of course.'
So Art wanted to get rid of me? Somehow I wasn't surprised. During our conversation the previous weekend he had seemed to trust me. But after avoiding me for a couple of days he was back to his old self. I hadn't appreciated that crack about my memo.
'Don't worry,' she continued. 'Gil and I are on the same side.'
'What about the police investigation?' I asked. 'Do you really want to have a suspected murderer as a partner?'
'I know you didn't kill Frank,' said Diane smiling. 'Eventually, so will everyone else. It will blow away.'
I was impressed by her confidence although I didn't share it. I was also grateful. I had no right to expect such trust from her. Ruefully, I thought I had every right to expect it from Lisa. 'Thank you. In that case, thanks for the offer. What do I have to do?'
'Not much for now. Make good investments, avoid bad ones, sort out Net Cop…'
'And keep myself out of jail.'
Diane winced. 'That would be nice if you can manage it. The main thing is, I need to know I can count on your support when I need it.'
'You've got it.'
She gave me a smile that warmed my tired body.
'So who did kill Frank?' she asked. 'Do you have any idea?'
'No. The police still think I did it, and they're doing their best to put a case together against me.'
'I know,' Diane said. 'They seemed to think there was something going on between us.' Her eyes twinkled in amusement.
I tried to keep cool. 'Yes. That's what Frank suspected. We had a row about it before he died.'
The amusement left her face, to be replaced by sympathy. 'You must have had an awful time. Frank dying. The police on your back. Your wife leaving you.'
I glanced up quickly towards her.
'It hasn't been great.'
'I know this is none of my business,' Diane said, 'but how could she leave you when you are in so much trouble?'
I stuttered an excuse. 'She was under a lot of pressure. She thought I'd killed her father. I can understand what she did.'
It was all true, but as I was saying it I felt a surge of anger. Diane was right. Lisa should have stayed with me!
'You look miserable. Let me get you another drink.'
I should have protested, but I didn't. My guard was dropping. Lisa had pissed off to California; why shouldn't I have another drink with a beautiful woman who was listening to me?
Diane disappeared, and returned with another glass. Somehow she had put some music on, Mozart or something. She sat down next to me on the sofa.
'Cheers,' she said.
I swallowed my whisky.
'Relax, Simon. You need to relax.'
Slowly she leaned over and pulled at my tie, taking it off. She let her hand rest against my leg. Her presence next to me was overpowering. Her scent, which a moment ago had seemed so subtle, flowed over me. I could hear the rustle of her silk blouse next to me. I turned to look at her. Small delicate face, flawless skin, full lips slightly apart. She leaned over and kissed me. It was a soft gentle kiss, safe, yet promising much more. I responded. I wanted much more.
She stood up, and smiled at me. 'Come on,' she said, slowly moving towards a closed door off the hallway.
I stood up, and began to follow her. Then the muzzy feeling of warm relaxation snapped. I suddenly saw what I was doing with complete clarity.
