Ackermann said slowly, and then quickly snapped, ‘Why didn’t you pick up on that before, James? You don’t normally miss something like that.’
‘I’ve already had it investigated. It seems that when we originally checked him he must have been very discreet and we missed it by chance. Or he wasn’t using then. Also, he doesn’t seem to display any of the normal symptoms that are associated with the drug. He seems to have a healthy appetite, and when I met him, for the first time, the other night I didn’t detect any signs such as undue sweating or dilated pupils. You’ve also spent a certain amount of time in his presence, and I assume you haven’t noticed anything. It’s just bad luck.’ James felt uneasy at his shortcomings, and was aware that Ackermann’s present mood left something to be desired.
‘Sloppy. Be more thorough in future,’ added Ackermann harshly.
Fortunately, by the time of the next briefing Ackermann was in a much better frame of mind, which was just as well considering the news that James had to impart to him.
‘This is a transcript of yesterday’s DVD. I’ve highlighted the salient details.’ James began as he handed over a folder to Ackermann.
‘Give me the gist of what’s here.’
‘Bottom line. He’s screwing you. No doubt about it at all.’
‘How?’
‘After an initial trial period when you followed quite closely what he was doing, and you found it satisfactory, you gave him complete discretion on the management of your portfolio.’
‘Yes, that’s right. I haven’t had the time recently to be too involved,’ Ackermann explained somewhat defensively. ‘When I did check I was quite surprised by some of the losses. There were some inexplicable sales and some even more bizarre purchases. That’s why I asked you to look into him for me.’ Ackermann went to the drinks cabinet and poured them both a whisky. He remained standing as James continued.
‘Listening to the latest tape, you’ll find that he interprets the freedom you gave him as a sign of weakness. He reckons he’ll be able to get away with deceiving you. He’s also of the opinion that you’re past it, and are too slow and foolish to pick up on what he’s doing.’
‘Does he now?’ interjected Ackermann thoughtfully.
‘His exact words were,’ James reached for the file and flipped through a few pages. ‘“He called me into his office the other day to ask why he’d lost so much. I gave him this excuse I’d prepared about the unpredictability of the markets, etc, etc, and the old fool lapped it up. He’s got no idea. And what’s more he thought I was overworked and in need of a holiday. That’s why we’re here. He’s paid for all this. What a sucker!”’ James noticed the frown on Ackermann’s face. The future did not look bright for Samuels.
‘So I’m an old fool, am I?’ he caught James’s eye. ‘You needn’t answer that, thank you, James.’
‘Wouldn’t dare to, sir.’ James was thankful he was in a better mood today.
‘So how’s he stealing my money?’
‘It seems he uses a variety of methods.’ James then proceeded to outline some of the ways in which Samuels was siphoning off the proceeds from the deals he did on behalf of Ackermann. When he had finished Ackermann stood in silence, then proceeded to fill both their glasses, leaving the open bottle on the desk in front of them.
‘James,’ he said after a while. ‘I don’t respond kindly to being swindled out of my money.’
‘Not many people do, Sir. Its a considerable sum that he’s taken.’
‘The amount is immaterial. It’s a matter of principle. He has abused my trust, and that of my associates and friends. The man needs to be taught a lesson. He needs to be taught some manners. I should have done it long ago instead of tolerating his appalling behavio ur, just because he was bringing in the results.’ Ackermann’s voice was calm but there was an underlying menace to it.
‘I agree. Such
‘I’ve already had it investigated. It seems that when we originally checked him he must have been very discreet and we missed it by chance. Or he wasn’t using then. Also, he doesn’t seem to display any of the normal symptoms that are associated with the drug. He seems to have a healthy appetite, and when I met him, for the first time, the other night I didn’t detect any signs such as undue sweating or dilated pupils. You’ve also spent a certain amount of time in his presence, and I assume you haven’t noticed anything. It’s just bad luck.’ James felt uneasy at his shortcomings, and was aware that Ackermann’s present mood left something to be desired.
‘Sloppy. Be more thorough in future,’ added Ackermann harshly.
Fortunately, by the time of the next briefing Ackermann was in a much better frame of mind, which was just as well considering the news that James had to impart to him.
‘This is a transcript of yesterday’s DVD. I’ve highlighted the salient details.’ James began as he handed over a folder to Ackermann.
‘Give me the gist of what’s here.’
‘Bottom line. He’s screwing you. No doubt about it at all.’
‘How?’
‘After an initial trial period when you followed quite closely what he was doing, and you found it satisfactory, you gave him complete discretion on the management of your portfolio.’
‘Yes, that’s right. I haven’t had the time recently to be too involved,’ Ackermann explained somewhat defensively. ‘When I did check I was quite surprised by some of the losses. There were some inexplicable sales and some even more bizarre purchases. That’s why I asked you to look into him for me.’ Ackermann went to the drinks cabinet and poured them both a whisky. He remained standing as James continued.
‘Listening to the latest tape, you’ll find that he interprets the freedom you gave him as a sign of weakness. He reckons he’ll be able to get away with deceiving you. He’s also of the opinion that you’re past it, and are too slow and foolish to pick up on what he’s doing.’
‘Does he now?’ interjected Ackermann thoughtfully.
‘His exact words were,’ James reached for the file and flipped through a few pages. ‘“He called me into his office the other day to ask why he’d lost so much. I gave him this excuse I’d prepared about the unpredictability of the markets, etc, etc, and the old fool lapped it up. He’s got no idea. And what’s more he thought I was overworked and in need of a holiday. That’s why we’re here. He’s paid for all this. What a sucker!”’ James noticed the frown on Ackermann’s face. The future did not look bright for Samuels.
‘So I’m an old fool, am I?’ he caught James’s eye. ‘You needn’t answer that, thank you, James.’
‘Wouldn’t dare to, sir.’ James was thankful he was in a better mood today.
‘So how’s he stealing my money?’
‘It seems he uses a variety of methods.’ James then proceeded to outline some of the ways in which Samuels was siphoning off the proceeds from the deals he did on behalf of Ackermann. When he had finished Ackermann stood in silence, then proceeded to fill both their glasses, leaving the open bottle on the desk in front of them.
‘James,’ he said after a while. ‘I don’t respond kindly to being swindled out of my money.’
‘Not many people do, Sir. Its a considerable sum that he’s taken.’
‘The amount is immaterial. It’s a matter of principle. He has abused my trust, and that of my associates and friends. The man needs to be taught a lesson. He needs to be taught some manners. I should have done it long ago instead of tolerating his appalling behavio ur, just because he was bringing in the results.’ Ackermann’s voice was calm but there was an underlying menace to it.
‘I agree. Such
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