Read The Emerald Casket for Free Online

was emblazoned with the blue and gold Archer Corporation logo. He opened it.
    â€˜What is all this?’ Gerald flicked through pages crammed with pie charts and tables of numbers.
    â€˜That’s the June financial outcome for Archer Corporation,’ Mr Prisk said. ‘The executive summary. The details are in here.’ He tapped a large document box with the toe of his carefully shined shoe. ‘Now I estimate that we can work our way through the first five divisions by the end of this week, then concentrate on the other five next week. I’ve drawn up an agenda and you’ll note I’ve left a fair amount of time for discussing general business. Your great aunt was most keen for you to understand the day-to-day running of the corporation. I’d say a few solid weeks of hitting the books will get you started.’
    Gerald recoiled. ‘A few weeks!’
    â€˜Five or six at most. Now the second quarter trading for the year is traditionally fairly quiet in the northern hemisphere as we head into the summer months but you’ll be pleased to hear the new operations in Argentina and Peru are providing an excellent hedge in the current economic climate. If you turn to page 137 in the green booklet you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the trading for—’
    â€˜Mr Prisk?’
    It was Sam, still balancing on the edge of the couch.
    The lawyer looked mildly annoyed by the interruption.
    â€˜Yes, Mister Valentine?’
    â€˜If Gerald’s going to be stuck doing all this work, what are we going to do?’
    Mr Prisk pulled a wedge of folders from the document box. ‘I expect you can go home.’
    A shocked silence hit the room.
    â€˜Go home?’ Ruby said at last.
    â€˜Yes. I think that would be best,’ Mr Prisk said. ‘There’s really no further point in your being here. Gerald will be occupied for the rest of the summer. I’ll make arrangements with Mrs Rutherford to have you driven back to London.’
    Sam looked stricken. ‘I thought we’d be together till the end of the holidays.’
    â€˜Then you thought wrong. Perhaps you and your sister might go pack your bags. Now would be a good time.’
    Sam looked to Ruby, then to Gerald, unable to put his thoughts into words. ‘But…but…but the food here is fantastic.’
    Mr Prisk peered at Sam over the rim of his glasses. ‘Your dietary requirements are hardly sufficient reason to interfere with the daily workings of one of the world’s great business enterprises. Gerald will one day take on the mantle of executive chairman of Archer Corporation. He has work to do.’
    â€˜Silly me,’ Ruby said. ‘I thought he was supposed to be having a holiday.’
    Mr Prisk took a sharp breath. ‘If I recall my own childhood, Miss Valentine, children were to be seen and not heard. And preferably not seen either.’ Mr Prisk’s voice rose. ‘Gerald has greatness before him. The reports he will draft, oh the planning sessions he will attend. He—’
    Gerald interrupted. ‘Do I get any say in this?’
    Mr Prisk looked shocked. ‘Gerald. Your future is mapped. Nothing will be left to chance. Your days will be diarised. A schedule will be adhered to. Your life path is set in stone. Look, I’ve drawn up a calendar for the next eighteen months, it’s all planned. Each and every day.’
    Gerald took the leather-bound diary that Mr Prisk held out and flipped through the pages.
    â€˜What are these?’ Gerald asked. Every day had at least six entries.
    â€˜Meetings,’ Mr Prisk said. ‘Lots and lots of meetings. You will learn from the very best in the business. Think of it as school, only starting at seven in the morning and going till six or seven at night.’
    Gerald flipped through the pages in a panic. ‘What? Seven days a week?’
    â€˜I know,’ Mr Prisk said, squeezing his hands together. ‘I