Michael Ridpath: Free To Trade

'Paul!' I stopped. He was calling me. 'Got a minute?' He nodded to some chairs in a quiet corner of the entrance hall. I hesitated and then went over to join him.

We didn't sit down, we just stood by the chairs. Rob shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot. I wasn't going to make it any easier for him. Finally, he screwed up his eyes and his courage and said, 'I'm really sorry I lied to the police about you.'

I didn't say anything. I would find it impossible to forgive Rob. As far as I was concerned, our friendship was over.

'I've been through a bad patch these last few months,' Rob went on. 'A very bad patch. I've done a lot of things I wish I hadn't. I just wanted you to know I am truly sorry for what happened.'

'OK,' I said, neutrally. I knew Rob was in trouble. The TSA were investigating his purchase of Gypsum shares, and the police were not at all happy about the way he had given them misleading evidence. However, Rob had promised to testify against Hamilton and had been instrumental in his arrest, which would help. Whatever happened, he would probably lose his job at De Jong. I was glad about that. In my eyes, Rob was weak rather than evil, but I certainly didn't want to see him every day. 'How's Cathy?' asked Rob.

'Fine. She's fine.'

'Good. She's a wonderful girl. Don't lose her.'

It must have been difficult for Rob to forgive me for Cathy. I was surprised.

'I've got to go,' I said, and headed for the exit. As I walked out through the revolving doors, a very tall, blonde-haired girl of about twenty walked in. She was wearing a skimpy T-shirt, no bra, and very short denim shorts which showed off miles of golden brown leg. Heads turned all around, including mine. I paused just outside the building to watch as she bounced over to where Rob was sitting. His face lit up with that expression I knew of old, as he stood up and gave her a kiss.

How the hell did he do it? What did they see in him? I shook my head in wonder and turned down the street to the restaurant.

I walked down the steps into Bill Bentley's at half past twelve exactly. The bar was already crowded. Denny had booked a table downstairs. Denny, Cash and Cathy were already there. Cash and Denny shook my hand warmly. I kissed Cathy. It was great to see her alive and smiling.

'I'm glad to see you,' I said.

'Me too.'

'When did you get in?'

'This morning. The New York police lost the man who shot at me, so they told me it would be best to cut my trip short and come right home. But they don't think there is a longer-term threat. With Waigel and Hamilton locked up, it's very unlikely he would go after me.'

'God, I was worried when I heard those screams down the phone,' I said.

'You were worried! I was scared out of my wits. Fortunately the woman who was hit is going to be OK, so I'm told.'

Cash poured me a glass from the open bottle of champagne nestling in a bucket beside the table. 'Here's to all of us!' he said taking a large gulp. 'And here's to Hamilton's vacation. I trust it's a long one.'

We drank the champagne. I felt good. I had my job back. I would now be able to afford to buy my mother's cottage after all. And I was able to trade. But, most important of all, I had Cathy. I caught her eyes smiling at me over her glass.

I turned to Denny. 'Thank you very much for all you have done,' I said.

Denny held up his hand. 'Not at all. It was a genuine pleasure to help you. Debbie was a good lawyer; I'm glad I had the opportunity to help catch the man who killed her.'

We ordered lunch, and Cash asked for another bottle of champagne.

'Have you heard anything from Jack Salmon?' I asked Cash.

'I spoke to him yesterday,' said Cash. He paused whilst the waiter placed a bowl of soup in front of him. He slurped at it greedily. 'He is in total panic. He says the investigators are in already. Of course he told me he didn't know anything about it, but I doubt he will last past the end of next week.'

'Another client bites the dust,' I said.

'Yes, too bad,' said Cash. 'Phoenix Prosperity will just become another bankrupt savings and loan owned by the US government. Still, they will have lots of bonds to sell.' Cash paused for a moment as he considered the possibilities.

Just then the waiter came over to our table. 'A phone call for Mr Murray.'

Cash's eyes watched me closely as I took the call by the bar. It was Jeff. 'Paul, I'm glad I caught you. There is a new jumbo deal for the World Bank just coming out now. It looks very cheap. Harrison Brothers are the lead. Can you get back here right now?'

'I'll be right over,' I said, and put the phone down.

I went back to the table and made my excuses.

Cash's eyes narrowed suspiciously. 'What was that?' he asked.

'Oh, I've just got to go and buy a few bonds.' I winked at Cathy, who grinned broadly back. I darted out of the restaurant, with Cash scrambling to catch me up.

'Hey, wait up,' he shouted after me. 'What's the deal? Who's the lead? I'm sure Bloomfield Weiss will have a good angle on this one. Don't do anything till I get back to my desk.'

I ignored him and rushed back to the office, my mind already calculating how many World Bank bonds I would buy.

MICHAEL RIDPATH spent eight years as a bond trader at an international bank in the City of London. He was brought up in Yorkshire, graduated from Oxford University with a first class degree in history and now lives in North London with his wife and two daughters. This is his first novel.