He was hunched over his terminal cube, studying the two transfer orders without a trace of humour left. "Where did you get these?" he demanded. A crow's feet wrinkle indented the skin on either side of his mouth as his lips compressed.

"The Credit Corato bank, of course."

"Impossible. They are forgeries."

Julia felt the tension drain out of her. She leant back into the chair and grinned wickedly at the screen. "No forging involved. Accessing the bank's records is the president's prerogative. So is waiving client confidentiality, though I don't intend to make it a habit."

"President?" Shock raised his voice an octave.

"I bought it. Well, fifty-three per cent, anyway. Quite a good investment actually, according to my accountants. I'm the di Girolamo finance house's new partner. How does that grab you?"

"Bitch," he breathed.

"Careful, Kendric. I might just lower my offer. Schoolgirl temperament, you see."

"You bought the bank?" He sounded incredulous.

"Yah."

"You bought the bank just to make me authorise the buyout?"

"Yah."

He looked from the cube to the phone screen and back again, bewildered. "How much did all this cost you?"

"Plenty, but it was worth it."

"I don't believe this. Do you hate me that much?"

"What do you think, Kendric?" she asked, her voice dangerously shaky.

"I think you are impulsive, dear Julia. If you go on frittering Event Horizon away like this there will be nothing left in a few years. What would your grandfather think of that?"

Behavioural Response: Sorrow.

But she didn't need the reminder, not any more. "He shared my opinion of you," she murmured.

"Indeed? And if I don't authorise your buyout offer?"

She shrugged. "The Chronicle people get a copy of the transfer orders. They'll go ahead and broadcast then. Without them, the programme would be one big libel case."

Kendric squared his shoulders, clearing his throat, salvaging what dignity he could. "Very well, Julia. If that's the way you want it."

His capitulation left her feeling omnipotent. As soon as his image vanished she called Adrian. It was a formality. She knew she was on a winning streak.

Get a grip on yourself, girl, she told herself sternly, you must look barmy with this grin plastered across your face. People would cross the street to avoid you. But the grin remained.

Then Adrian appeared on the screen, and all the wonder blew away in a blast of trepidation, chilling her heart. He'd lost his verve, the chirpy smile and devilish glint were gone. Broken-hearted. Just how hung up on Kats had he been?

"Hello, Julia, nice to see you." The words said it, but not the voice, that was funereal. Had she called too soon?

"Sorry to bother you, Adrian. I can call back if it's not convenient."

"No, please, I'm deep into cell composition right now. God, it's dull."

"Oh, well, that's something. At least I'm more interesting than an amoeba."