Perhaps his associates what is meaning of associates and employs as per novel in last line
Solution:
Associates - a person that you meet and get to know through your work
Employee - a person who is hired to work for another or for a business, firm, etc, in return for payment.
Associates - a person that you meet and get to know through your work
Employee - a person who is hired to work for another or for a business, firm, etc, in return for payment.