Peter had asked to see me alone before he left
"Why did you do it Josh? I thought we were getting on fine."
I suspected a trap and I certainly wasn't going to admit anything
"You did this to yourself Peter"
He looked as if he was going to cry.
A few weeks earlier I had been worried. It seemed inevitable that the situation between Peter and myself would become common knowledge. I thought I had the solution though.
Peter was good at his job. There was no reason why I shouldn't recommend him for promotion, for him to take on a wider range of responsibility.
So I asked him.
"Peter, I know you work hard. I am sure you could use more money. I could get it for you if you agree to take on more."
He smiled.
"And you want me to spend it on you"
I was glad he took it that way and had the grace to look a little embarrassed.
"Well to please you Josh, I will. What did you have in mind?"
So I outlined my plans. Increased involvement in strategic planning, more staff management, responsibility for controlling the bank accounts. It was clear that this was a considerable promotion and I could see that Peter was excited.
"I'll be as senior as you, Josh."
He smiled again and it was obvious that he was completely unsuspicious. I was beginning to tire of the way that he was treating me so it was a relief to know that my plan was going to work.
I arranged for his promotion. He took over the management of some of my staff. He joined me in attending strategy meetings with the directors. Finally, and most importantly he took over responsibility for controlling the company bank accounts.
After a couple of weeks he had become used to his new role and I put my plan into action. It was very easy really. Peter had foolishly let me know all his passwords and one day I took advantage of his absence to sign onto his computer in his name. I set up a series of regular standing orders to make payments from various company bank accounts into his personal account. I knew that he never checked his own bank statement and wouldn't notice the extra money.
The payments continued for a couple of months and soon I was ready for the next stage. If I had any doubts they were taken away by one particular incident.
The two of us attended a meeting with the directors of the company. There was a long discussion to which Peter made a full contribution. Unfortunately what he was saying do not make a lot of sense and I said so. As soon as the words left my mouth I regretted them. It was obvious that Peter was very angry indeed.
When the meeting finished Peter asked me to come to his office. He was calm as he shut the door but I was shocked at what he said