machine. There were numerous messages, but one that plainly stood out
from the rest: Henry Wharton. Tyler, Stone had generously allowed her
all the time off she needed to deal with this personal catastrophe.
Sidney was convinced that the rest of her life would not be long enough.
Henry had sounded worried, nervous even. She knew what that meant:
Nathan Gamble had paid him a visit.
She quickly dialed the familiar number and was put through to Wharton’s
office. She tried her best to steady her nerves while she waited for
him to pick up. Wharton could be a holy terror or awe-inspiring mentor,
depending on whether you were in favor or not.
He had always been one of Sidney’s biggest supporters. But now?
She took a deep breath when he came on the line.
“Hello, Henry.”
“Sid, how are you holding up?”
‘Tm still numb, to tell you the truth.”
“Maybe that’s best. For now. You’ll get through this. It might not
seem like it, but you will. You’re strong.”
“Thanks for the support, Henry. I do feel bad for leaving you in the
lurch. What with CyberCom and all.”
“I know, Sidney. Don’t worry about that.”
“Who’s taking the lead on it?” She wanted to avoid diving right into the
Gamble issue.
Wharton didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was lower.
“Sid, what do you think of Paul Brophy?”
The question caught her by surprise, but it brought some welcome relief.
Perhaps she had been wrong about Gamble talking to Wharton. “I like
Paul, Henry.”
“Yes, yes, I know that. He’s a pleasant enough fellow, talented
rainmaker, talks a good game.”
Sidney spoke slowly. “You want to. know whether he can head the
CyberCom deal?”
“As you know, he’s been involved up until now. But it’s stepped up to
another level. I want to keep the circle of attorneys with access as
limited as possible. You know why. It’s no secret about our potential
problem with Goldman and his representation of RTG. I don’t want even
the hint of an impropriety. I also only want guns on that team that can
contribute real substance to the process. I’d like your opinion on him
under those circumstances.”
“This conversation is confidential?”
“Absolutely.”
Sidney spoke with authority, grateful to be analyzing, for the moment,
something other than her personal loss. “Henry, you know as well as I
do that deals as complex as this one are like chess games.
You have to see five or ten moves ahead. And you don’t get second
chances. Paul has a bright future at the firm, but he does not possess
the breadth of vision for the deal, or attention to detail. He does not
belong on the final negotiation team for the CyberCom acquisition.”
“Thank you, Sidney, those were my thoughts precisely.”
“Henry, I don’t think my comments are exactly earth-shattering news to
you. Why was he being considered?”
“Let’s just say he expressed a very strong interest in heading the deal.
Not hard to see why; it would be a lucrative feather in anyone’s cap.”
“I see.”
“I’m going to put Roger Egert in charge.”
“He’s a first-rate transaction attorney.”
“He was very complimentary of your work on the matter thus far.
‘Perfectly positioned,’ I think were his words.” Wharton paused for a
moment. “I hate to ask this, Sidney, I really do.”
“What, Henry?”
She heard him let out a long breath. “Well, I promised myself I
wouldn’t do this–it’s just that you’re so damn indispensable.” He
paused again.
“Henry, please, what is it?”
“Could you take a moment to talk to Egert? He’s almost up to speed, but
a few minutes with you on the strategic and tactical issues would be
invaluable. I know that it would. I certainly wouldn’t ask it, Sidney,
if it weren’t vitally important. In any event, you’ll also have to
provide him with the pass code for the master computer file.”
Sidney covered the phone and sighed. She knew Henry meant well, but
business always came first with him. “I’ll call him today, Henry.”
“I won’t forget, Sidney.”
Her cellular was drowning in static. Sidney walked out of the cafe to
get better reception. Outside, Henry Wharton’s tone had changed