The Jupiter Fund (New Rewrite)

Blackmail

"Oh Margery, your going nowhere!" Myles's authoritative tone and cold facial expression sent shivers down Margery's spine. Despite this she maintained a stoic expression "You can't stop me Myles!".

He leaned forward with his clasped hands resting on the board table top, his concentrated stare began to make Margery uncomfortable, her gut feeling told her something was not right here.

"Oh Margery!, I thought you were smarter than this. Do you really think if I wanted Alans' job I wouldn't have waited until he retired?"

Margery felt the hairs rise up at the back of her neck, her lower chin wobbled as she processed what was being said to her. He wasn't making sense but she sensed something wasn't right.


"I wanted more Margery, more. when Alan came in one of his key tasks was to remove the toxic board behaviour, he couldn't you know why, we're all greedy bankers Margery, we all wanted more, even you!" as he flicked his right index finger towards her. Her stomach churned, she adjusted her glasses on her nose.

He continued "you of course were teachers pet". Margery shifted uncomfortably with the venom in his voice "we have set up a new secret fund, specifically for all the warlords, terrorists or criminals that can't access the financial system".

Margery felt the walls close in around her, her cheeks flushed "No, No, I'm not having anything to do with this!" her voice trembled.

Myles laughed sarcastically. "Margery, no one knows shell companies, no one knows moving assets and tax systems as well as you. your in and there is no way out of it!"

He lolled back in his chair confidently "You made it easier for us Margery, with your little hissy fit, if you walked out you would have been bundled into a van and made return in a not so nice way, these people will stop at nothing to get what they want and you will deliver!!.. You were and will never walk out of here with a cheque and golden handshake, your real work starts now".

Margery felt beads of sweat fall down the back of her neck and under her armpits, her stomach churned, for the first time in a long time she was terrified "No way, no way" She extended out her hands and began waving them "No way , no no no", her voice gaspy from deep breathing.

"Margery, you deliver, our clients get richer, we get richer and you, you will get richer and richer".

"You love the dollar as much as the rest of us Margery" interrupts Henrietta her shrill tone causing Lloyd to wrench "We're increasing your salary by twenty five present, the more you deliver for our clients, the more you get in CASH, you love Cash, don't you?" before Margery can answer she answers for her "of course you do"

Margery massages the lump in her stomach with her right hand "You can't do this to me" she states with a lack of energy.

"Oh yes we can and yes we will" stated Prunella in a matter of fact manner, as she slid a brown A4 envelope towards her at speed. Margery stared wide eyed at her in shock, the distain in Prunellas facial expression more intense. "how is Arabelle doing, must have been terrible, when she and her dorm buddies were caught with weed, how much did Mummy pay to buy off the university and the police, be a shame if that was to resurface now wouldn't it?"

Margery took a deep shallow gasp, her chest tightened 'how did they know she asked herself'. Prunella wasn't finished though "how about your nephew Jack, your godson, likes cycling to university, so dangerous on bicycles now, he could easily get it!".

Margery froze in terror, for the first time in her life she was speechless. Prunella was still not done "Then there is your sisters salon, a very cash intensive business she has, her tax returns are lower than they should be, am sure she wouldn't want auditors around now would she?" Prunella zoned in on Margery maintaining her stare upon her "Just in case your in any doubt, the envelope contains some photos for you to mull over. Don't think you can fuck with us!"

"Leave my family out of this" she wheezed shaking with fear.

Prunella smirked "Do as we say and we will, it's up to you, let's just say their safety will be part of your performance review and it goes without saying, keep your mouth shut on this!".


Myles manufactured another artificial smile "You have your own office in the basement. It's been renovated, you'll love it. You have your own bathroom and mini kitchen. Lunch will be brought down to you, you won't have to leave it unless your summoned to the executive floor"

Heather cleared her throat "This is a secure room, only you and any member of the board of management will have access. In the event of a fire it will unlock. Your belongings will be waiting for you after this meeting. Your new role will officially start tomorrow, we wish you luck, we expect you to deliver, any questions?"


Margery felt like a Furness "A few weeks ago Myles, you called me an old locomotive out of puff, now this, if I was an old locomotive why do this to me, if you can afford to pay me this, then you better give Maria one hell of a pay off". Silently she was happy now Maria was going.

Miles rubs his palms together "Don't worry Maria will be fine, as for you, that old locomotive better find some puff because otherwise that old locomotive will be broken up to pieces". The threat not lost on Margery.