The naked edge

14

The Manhattan headquarters for Global Protective Services looked as busy and professional as ever, but Cavanaugh knew that the strength and solidity were only apparent. With Jamie and William, he entered his office. An outsider would not have realized that, less than a week earlier, the place had been littered with bomb wreckage. Now a close look showed Cavanaugh that the hasty cleanup was only cosmetic, that the damage had been disguised, not repaired. Like the corporation, he thought.

"I can't imagine how expensive our lease is."

"A half million dollars a year," William said.

"Amazing that the company stayed in business as long as it did."

"Two executive officers dead and one in a detox ward." Jamie slumped in a chair.

"It's going to be hard dismantling the various operations," Cavanaugh said. "Jamie, you're the one with a business background. How do we handle this?"

"For starters, we alert the heads of our foreign offices and tell them to cancel all upcoming assignments. Then we negotiate to terminate all our office leases and have other protection firms take over the jobs already in progress. After that, we-"