Cordeau was
ruthless and definitely not a fair player and despised by many in the business
world, though by some respected and admired. He always achieved his goals
regardless of those who made the mistake of getting in his way. Several times
he had survived police investigations that questioned his methods and
connections, but expensive lawyers had always delivered and managed to just
keep him clear of any successful prosecution. People would tremble around him
very aware of the tremendous power and influence he commanded and in a whim he
could devastate many of those people. Cordeau had never hesitated to act
instantly and decisively whenever necessary and was renowned for being in complete
control at all times.
Asset stripping is big business and he had made many
fortunes buying-up businesses in trouble and then breaking them up and
selectively keeping the profitable parts to make even greater profits, but
selling on others. The sale for redevelopment produced extremely lucrative
deals and Cordeau never gave a single thought to the effect on the lives of the
discarded people who suffered from his dealing. Only profits mattered.
"Conrad,
you'll be late," his wife had said and that had angered him. He was never
late or early and she should know that. He was always on time. Always.
Over
his business career, Cordeau had spent a lot of time travelling and had visited
many countries mostly in the company of his favourite lady. More than 30 years
had passed since this strange relationship had begun and in all that time he
had never spoken to her about how he felt. This was very odd behaviour
displayed by a man who would always speak his mind and invariably got his own
way. As he sat snuggled up to her warmth gently caressing one of her arms, he
viewed the moonlight sparkling in the ocean while reflecting on some of the
many places to which they had travelled together. Journeys to Canada, North
America, the Middle East, Australia, Russia. Japan. Though he had also
travelled in the company of other not so expensive ladies, he went with Connie
whenever he could. This particular lady was his one real passion, and though
her cool white skin was like silk to touch, Connie could become a very hot lady
when moved to action. Beneath the sun her skin glistened, masking a power
Cordeau could only dream about. His own power and influence were reduced to
almost nothing by comparison and he lived in a perpetual awe of the effect she
had on him, reducing him into near silence. This happened every time they met
and even after 30 years his excitement in her presence never waned. The feeling
gave him the security he had never been inclined to extend to anyone else.
The
announcement that the affair was to end left him in stunned disbelief. The
thought that after such a long time this could all end brought real tears to
his eyes. The news was unexpected and completely shocking and he had absolutely
no power to influence the outcome. This feeling of powerlessness struck him in
a way that he had never known before. A sudden rush of blood heated his face as
he thought of all the people he had ruined throughout his business life. The
devastation created without the slightest consideration. This lady had made him
understand what he had never before experienced. In those few moments he had
changed from a ruthless, power hungry man into a human being capable of empathy
and compassion. A truly spiritual change. Cordeau realised what this lesson in
life was about and it had been taught to him in just a moment even though it
had taken 30 years to become aware. This remarkable lady had never needed to
utter a word about it, but he had learned the lesson nonetheless.
As he
came down to earth he visualised her looking down her nose, not in contempt,
but with her ever present grace and elegance. This was the end. Their last trip
together.
On her
last flight, Concorde made a perfect landing at London's Heathrow Airport.
© Mark Glanfield 2004, Rev 2 2008 (January)