Robert Young - Gatecrasher

‘The British Government, amongst most other western countries, regularly earmark funds for the purposes of overseas development.’ Campbell raised his forefingers in a quote-unquote gesture that was intended to convey sarcasm. ‘It used to be referred simply as overseas aid but political correctness soon saw that off didn’t it? No longer helping out the poor, useless old Third World, now we’re promoting International Development. Assisting the forward progress of those capable but unfortunate people in less privileged countries. Very noble. Makes you proud to be British eh?

‘The point is Mr Asquith, that it’s all smoke and mirrors isn’t it? Aid, Development. Progress? It’s none of those things is it? Not really. Not in the way it’s made to sound. Not unless you consider the recipients of course. And I don’t mean the indigenous populations. I’m talking about the large corporations that always seem to be called upon when there are highly controversial or large contracts to hand out. How nice of them to step in where local firms might find it all a bit too tricky. How oddly convenient that so many millions of UN sanctioned foreign assistance pounds end up back on the balance sheets of British companies.’

‘Well, well. Read a little Chomsky have we? We aren’t in the business of handing out hundreds of millions of pounds to build some bridge in the middle of nowhere, some mining operation on an ancient temple. You think these things are just handed out arbitrarily to keep the UK economy looking rosy and the fat cats well fed? You think we don’t actually carry out endless feasibility studies, environmental, economic, geological, topographic surveys before any of these things even get out of the planning department?’

Campbell felt reprimanded and slightly patronised.

‘That’s not exactly what I think no but you aren’t too wide of the mark. But we digress, or at least I do. You see Mr Asquith, I genuinely believe that you are a good man. Albeit doing the work of less reputable souls. I would sooner have someone like you in the position you are in than half the other snakes in your party. Or the others.’

‘I’m honoured, no doubt.’

‘I’m sure you will be if you play your cards right but that’s beside the point.’

‘Ah yes, the point. You do have one I take it?’

‘Money.’

‘Isn’t it always?’ If Asquith had decided that Campbell was one of the blackmailers he seemed almost resigned to it now.

‘You have been told by certain anonymous but undoubtedly serious people that you must award these three contracts, these glittering prizes, to the three companies least deserving of them. It does not take an investment wunderkind to work out that since these three firms have got the weakest tenders for the work that they are highly likely to fail. Their share-price will therefore be depressed and represent, for those with foresight or an eye for a bargain, a significantly good buy. Indeed, for those who have accumulated enormous tranches of stock in each of these three rank outsiders already, the potential to reap considerable rewards — should the unthinkable happen and they actually win those contracts — is enormous. Imagine what the share price would do.’

‘You aren’t exactly telling me anything I hadn’t figured out for myself.’

‘Perhaps not. You’re a highly intelligent man. Of course you’d have seen what their purpose was, seen it a mile off.’

‘And you too apparently.’

‘Not really, it was more of a necessity with me than anything else. Self preservation.’

‘Do you know something? I would really, very much like to know who you are and what you want.’ The older man sounded angry now, irritated at Campbell’s persistent effort to evade the question.

‘My name is Daniel Campbell. I work for an investment analyst in the City and I live in a one bed flat in Fulham. Cuts and bruises aside I have no distinguishing features, nothing that would make me stand out. I do, however, know who is actually behind all this. So do you as it happens.’

Asquith regarded him for a moment with a quizzical expression, looking almost amused by the scene and what Campbell was saying.

‘Perhaps we should take a seat whilst you tell me some more, dear boy.’

‘I’m not entirely sure that I follow you.’

Horner watched him replace the black pouch between them on the table.

‘I thought that was obvious. Very well,’ Horner drew a deep breath and let it out. ‘I am acutely aware since the most unfortunate turn of events in your offices two weeks ago, that the evidence of my malfeasance has come to light. I am utterly determined that this information should not come into the public domain under any circumstances given the consequences of such an eventuality.’

Horner stopped then and looked across at the other man, almost as if he were waiting for him to catch up.

‘Whilst the problem is more immediate, I have absolute faith in your discretion. However, should life lead you somewhere else in the coming years your own motivation for silence might be somewhat eroded. I was hoping that I might perhaps… strengthen your resolve.’

Griffin was nodding impatiently as Horner finished repeating his explanation. ‘One question first of course is why on earth you still have something like this?’

‘Well one should maintain a broad asset base. You never know when you might need to cash something in you see.’

‘This does rather undermine your protestations of innocence Michael.’

‘I hardly think so. It is simply a remnant of my past. And besides, as I explained, it is your silence that I seek, not your approval.’

‘Yes, of course. And you suppose this-,’ Griffin waved a hand at the pouch sitting between them, ‘- blood diamond might secure my compliance through to the grave? To bury your secrets with something that you dug up? That is precious Michael. Your arrogance and your vanity I mean.’

‘That stone is flawless and likely worth six digits. Are you quite sure you can afford to be so judgmental? That’s quite an indulgence for the sake of occupying the moral high ground.’

‘Spare me Michael. Please. You are a crass, vulgar man and woefully poor of judgement if you think for a moment that I’m for sale. You had better hope that Geoffrey gets you out of this one.’

‘I’m sure Geoffrey will do the right thing.’

‘Yes, I’ve no doubt he will,’ Griffin said and stood up. Horner remained seated. ‘How much you owe him.’

‘I will be forever in his debt,’ Horner replied.

‘You know to be honest, I’m a little surprised that you don’t already know. In fact I think you probably do,’ Campbell said as the two men sat themselves down in the comfortable armchairs at the far end of the suite.

‘Once again Mr Campbell I get the strangest sense that you are implying something about me that I’m not sure I like. Are you trying to suggest that I’m involved in all this?’

Campbell wondered for a second whether Asquith was trying to suggest as much himself. ‘Well you are perfectly placed aren’t you? And a man of your intelligence and connections shouldn’t have too much trouble in taking the necessary steps to do this. I mean who on earth would suspect?’

Asquith’s expression was both dismissive and disdainful.

‘Of course I don’t believe that for a second but stranger things have happened in the past fortnight believe me.’

‘So you’ve said.’

At that, Campbell stood and swept open his jacket, hoisted up his shirt and showed off the patchwork of colour on his ribs.

Asquith winced at the sight of it. ‘What on earth is this all about? Uninvited guests with mysterious memory sticks, a comprehensive knowledge of a blackmail plot that not even my wife knows about. And you look as if you’ve been hit by a bus.’