Brian Freemantle - Dead End

‘Obviously nothing that I’ve told you today can be included,’ said Pullinger.

‘Obviously,’ acknowledged Jackson. ‘Have you ever heard of investigating FBI officers being called as supplementary witnesses, after the emergence of evidence unknown at the time of disclosure?’

‘Don’t think I ever have,’ admitted Pullinger.

‘Anything in the FBI charter that would preclude it?’

‘I’d need to check, but nothing comes immediately to mind.’

‘It was good of you to come, Ed – fill us in on a few things,’ thanked Jackson again. ‘I’d welcome your letting us know if your guys get officially withdrawn.’

‘You’ll know the moment I know,’ promised the FBI attorney. To Parnell he said: ‘I’m sorry it’s worked out like this.’

‘Not as sorry as I am,’ said Parnell.

‘You sure there’s no way the FBI could have intercepted the call?’ demanded Edward Grant.

Johnson smiled, enjoying the other man’s rarely betrayed worry. ‘I gave Clarkson the call-box number in an envelope sealed in a way that could be recognized if you knew how. Which he didn’t. He gave it to Pete Bellamy’s dyke lawyer, to pass on unopened. When I rang Pete from my call box, I told him how to recognize the seal. It hadn’t been broken.’

‘What if one of the lawyers tells the Bureau?’

‘Lawyer-client confidentiality,’ replied Johnson, easily.

Grant smiled, relieved. ‘That’s good. You’re good.’

‘That’s what you employ me – and pay me – to be.’

‘You’ll find out how grateful I am when this is all over.’

‘Which it will be,’ promised Johnson. ‘Baldwin filled me in on your meeting and Pete says he and Helen haven’t given anything away – nothing that helps any case against us, anyway…’ The hesitation was for effect. ‘There’s still the civil case against them, of course. If they lose that, it could cost them their jobs.’

‘You got another call-box to call-box arrangement?’

‘In a couple of days. I told Pete I was coming up to see you.’

‘Tell him – and get him to tell the woman – they’ll be well looked after.’

‘They’ll appreciate that,’ said Johnson.

‘You don’t think there could be a problem with your coming up here?’

‘What problem? I’m your head of security. The Bureau know we talk – that I come here sometimes. I flew up using my own name, came in the front door and used the public elevator. The curiosity would have been if I hadn’t come up, after they came here.’

‘I didn’t like that, the FBI coming here… questioning me like they did.’ The small man flicked at his deep-brown suit, as if dislodging some unwelcome speck.

And it’s showing all over your sweaty face, thought the security chief. ‘This hasn’t been good. Too much was done with insufficient thought and insufficient discussion.’

‘Baldwin told you what I said to them, about putting Parnell under surveillance?’

Johnson nodded. ‘They haven’t come back to me, to check it out…’ Enjoying himself unsettling a man who so much enjoyed unsettling others, he added: ‘Something else that didn’t have sufficient thought or discussion.’

‘They sprang it on me, for Christ’s sake! You should have guessed they’d tap your phones!’

He should, Johnson supposed. ‘I didn’t think they’d go that far – believe they had enough to apply for the order. In the end there was no damage.’

‘If they had enough for the order, perhaps they’ve got enough to charge you!’ suggested Grant, in fresh alarm.

‘With what, forgetfulness?’ jeered Johnson. ‘I’ve been through it every which way with Clarkson. They’ve got nothing.’

‘What do we do now?’

‘Just that. Nothing. We carry on doing our jobs and let their investigation run into the ground.’ And from now on I’m king of the castle and you’re a dirty old rascal, he thought. ‘So stop worrying, Ed, OK?’

‘OK,’ said Grant, without objecting to the familiarity.

The love-making over, Parnell and Beverley lay side by side in the darkness of her apartment bedroom, hand in hand.

‘You know what’s creepy?’ she said. ‘It’s learning that we were being watched – photographed – without knowing it. It’s like being… being violated.’

‘And I was supposed to be taking extra care, watching my own back all the time!’

‘I’m sick to my stomach at the possibility of there being no prosecution for Rebecca’s murder!’

‘I’m even sicker.’

‘What are you going to do, if there isn’t a prosecution?’

‘I haven’t decided.’

‘What about immediately? The vice-president offer? I thought you had to decide before the stockholders’ meeting?’

‘I told Grant today that I’ll take it.’

Beverley was silent for several moments. ‘I’m surprised.’

‘I’m sure we’re going the right way with a SARS vaccine. And I don’t want to give up on avian flu, either.’

‘I’m still surprised.’

‘For surprised should I read disappointed?’

‘Yes, after what the FBI lawyer told you,’ she said, bluntly.

‘We don’t definitely know that there isn’t going to be a prosecution. If there is, I have to be here. If I’m definitely told nothing’s going to happen, I’ll think some more about it.’

Beverley took her hand from his and turned away from him in the darkness.

‘I knew you’d accept,’ said Edward Grant.

‘I needed to think,’ said Parnell.

‘Of course you did,’ patronized Grant, at the penthouse window looking out over the financial heart of the world. ‘And you came to the right decision.’

‘I bought some shares, to qualify for the stockholders’ meeting, before you invited me.’

‘Then you bought in cheap. Got a good deal.’

‘I hope it turns out that way.’

‘The board have agreed the terms I offered you.’ said Grant, turning back to a package on his desk. ‘There’s your new contract, setting out the salary and the stock options for your lawyer to look over. Ours already have. All you’ve got to do, if your guy agrees, is to sign it.’

‘It’s all happened very quickly.’

‘We’ve only got one priority now – restoring confidence. Your name – your publicly being here – is important in beginning that process. And maintaining it.’

‘You know I’ll do what I can.’

‘There’s going to be a media release, to coincide with my announcement of your appointment. Not just here, worldwide.’

‘I spoke to Wayne Denny, about Dwight,’ said Parnell. ‘Thought I might go out to see him. Wayne said he didn’t think he was well enough.’

‘He isn’t,’ said Grant, at once. ‘Won’t be, for a long time. I’ve got a lot to say about Dwight later.’

‘That’s good.’

‘You’ve been through a hell of a time too, Dick. And come out well.’

‘It’s dragging on.’

‘You really sure, about suing those two sons of bitches?’

‘My lawyer thinks I’ve got a good case. I’m doing it on his advice.’

‘I’m thinking about Dubette. All the publicity it’ll stir up again.’

‘I hadn’t thought about it from that point of view.’

‘Think about it over the next little while,’ urged the president. ‘You know what I’d like, for us all? I’d like an out-of-court settlement offer, a public apology from the Metro force, and for that to be the end of it, all forgotten in a week. It would go a long way towards the healing process, restoring the confidence I was talking about.’

Parnell shrugged. ‘The offer would have to come from the other side.’

‘Your attorney could suggest it to theirs. That’s how these things are done. I’d really appreciate it – Dubette would really appreciate it.’