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.
© Louis Brothnias v 1.1 (2004),
Rev 2 (2008)