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up until now, one of Australia’s most successful businessmen. Roger flashed an insipid smile at his father’s secretary as he strode across the office and into the spacious corner suite.
    Henry Kaplan stood at the window, arms behind him, surveying the view of Sydney Harbour. The sunlight sparkled across the water, clusters of tiny jewels riding the swells. A helicopter flew over the Sydney Opera House. This suite of offices was the Australian headquarters of the Kaplan Corporation.
    Kaplan turned when he heard the footfalls at his doorway. ‘You weren’t in court.’
    ‘I don’t get my kicks parading around courthouses in front of TV cameras,’ Roger said. ‘That’s more your style.’
    ‘I didn’t enjoy it any more than you would have.’ Kaplan’s tone echoed disdain. ‘As the Chief Executive in Australia, you should have been there for the decision.’
    ‘It wouldn’t have made any difference. The decision was made; it was made months ago.’
    ‘I never should’ve allowed you to extend our credit on Fenwicks and Sharvin Glass. They were never strong. You should have sold our holdings in those companies.’
    ‘So it’s all my fault, is it? Wake up, Dad. Blaming me isn’t going to wash anymore. You’ve been paying six figure salaries for years to a bunch of financial advisors who’ve warned you to stop diversifying. You haven’t listened to a bloody word they’ve said.’
    ‘It’s the local operation that’s let us down, Roger. Reduced profits, expensive loans. Your financial status reports have been bullshit for years. I should’ve seen it coming.’
    ‘And what do you call Southern Star Mining. That was your baby. Fifteen million borrowed from Hong Kong. That’s what brought the whole thing crashing. Or don’t you read the comments in Business Weekly anymore?’
    ‘The financial journos can write about companies but they can’t run them. They can’t even manage their own petty cash accounts. Southern Star was the victim of the GFC and erratic high interest rates.’
    ‘So if anything’s a success around here it’s because of you. If anything fails it’s because of a stock market correction and greedy banks. The great Henry Kaplan’s recipe for business acumen.’
    Kaplan exploded. ‘I’ve had it up to here with your blasted sarcasm. I’ve given you a million and one chances. You’ve never lived up to one of them, not one.’
    He made a visible attempt to control his fury, sucking in deep breaths. He turned his back on his son, looking once more to the magnificent view of the water and the coat hanger shaped bridge that was famous all over the world. ‘I called you in to ask if you had money put aside for yourself; money the receivers won’t be able to trace.’
    ‘I’m touched by your concern. Yes, you know I have.’
    ‘Whatever you’ve done to keep your money hidden, I suggest you do doubly from now on. As officers of the corporation you and I, along with Johnson, Kopins and Masterton are personal bankrupts, or will be if the appeal fails. All our known and traceable assets will be frozen.’
    ‘I know that.’
    ‘The receivers and the corporate affairs people will be watching us like hawks in the meantime.’
    ‘What about you?’
    ‘Don’t concern yourself with me.’
    ‘What’s next, then? What does Masterton think can save us? A break up and sell off of the companies?’
    ‘That won’t come anywhere near clearing the amount of debt to discharge the bankruptcy. The only chance we have is Southern Star. A buyer for the mining operation will put us back in business.’
    ‘You could’ve put Southern Star on the market a year ago.’
    ‘I’m doing it now.’
    Roger sat on the three-seat leather lounge in the corner of the office. ‘Do you think we can come back from this?’
    ‘Can and will,’ Kaplan said gruffly. ‘I called you in for another reason as well. I need you to work closely beside me and the other directors, to project a united front. I have a