Brian Freemantle - The Namedropper

‘Leanne is being represented by the same people who are looking after Appleton, although obviously not by the same attorney. She’s contesting Bob’s claim of criminal conversation.’

Why hadn’t he found that on Reid’s computer? wondered Jordan. An official, legal and lengthily argued rebuttal on original court-submitting papers, he guessed; he still thought there would have been some email reference he could have picked up upon. Jordan was discomfited at the possibility of more windows being shut against him. ‘How’s that affect us?’

‘It doesn’t, directly. Her lawyer is a guy named Wolfson, Pete Wolfson. Bob hasn’t yet got their official response, just a phone call telling him they’re opposing it.’

‘What about medical records?’

‘Promised by the week’s end. I’ve already filed for a court order, demanding production in case it doesn’t arrive by then. Even if it does it’ll form part of the record for Pullinger to realize their reluctance.’

‘There doesn’t seem to be any point in our meeting until Friday at the earliest then?’ suggested Jordan.

‘The medical stuff doesn’t directly impact upon our application,’ Beckwith pointed out. ‘We’re not reliant upon it, one way or the other, at this stage.’

‘I want to be as up to date as possible,’ insisted Jordan.

‘You will be,’ assured Beckwith.

He was appearing too anxious again, accepted Jordan. ‘What about media interest?’

‘Increasing,’ replied Beckwith. ‘I got a call from the London Times the day before yesterday. Bob’s hoping to get his closed court hearing next week too, depending upon the length of ours, which technically has to precede what Bob does. I don’t see why we should need more than one day, although Pullinger could reserve judgement. Which shouldn’t stand in Bob’s way, even if Pullinger refuses my submission.’

‘Did The Times have my name?’ demanded Jordan, alarmed.

‘That’s all that’s listed, nothing else that could identify you,’ said Beckwith. ‘I refused to talk about anything: answer any questions.’

‘They must know I’m English to have called in the first place.’

‘Your being English wasn’t the direction of their approach. It was all about the break-up of two of the oldest American colonial families.’

‘They could get the lead from Appleton’s side,’ said Jordan, more to himself than to the other man. He should have warned the London concierge, John Blake. He still could, although not today. It was 8.30 p.m. in England. Blake would have left the building by now. It had to be his first telephone call tomorrow.

‘I warned Bartle about contempt,’ reminded Beckwith.

‘They wouldn’t be risking that, guiding people to me. And I can’t imagine the threat of it restraining British newspapers for a moment.’

‘I can’t do any more than I’ve already done to prevent your identity coming out,’ said the lawyer, the impatience obvious.

Too anxious again, accepted Jordan. ‘Let’s wait until Friday to meet.’

‘You going to be at the Carlyle all the time until then?’

‘All the time,’ promised Jordan.

‘I’ll call you if anything comes up in between. Let’s say eleven on Friday. I’ll have Suzie make plane reservations to Raleigh as well. This time next week we should know where we are.’

‘That’s what I want to know,’ said Jordan. ‘Exactly where we are.’ The light on his telephone console began to flicker, indicating a waiting call.

‘You’re back!’

‘Just walked through the door.’ Jordan instantly knew the voice. ‘I was just going to return your calls.’

‘How was London?’ asked Alyce.

‘I got done what I went there to do.’ Jordan hadn’t expected it to take most of one day to extend the Hans Crescent lease, sort out the query letters held for him at Royston and Jones bank and – a spur of the moment decision, despite what he was now accumulating in the accounts in New York – to withdraw additional funds to deposit with Lesley Corbin, all of which had delayed his return by those twelve hours.

‘You spoken to Dan yet?’

‘A minute or two ago.’ This could so easily have been a casual, how-was-your-trip conversation.

‘So you know Leanne entering a defence?’

He had to ignore the lawyers’ warnings against contact with Alyce, Jordan decided: without being able to intercept any computer correspondence between her and her lawyer she was his only access to her side of the case. Testingly he said, ‘Only that. Dan didn’t go into any detail.’

‘We’re matching every claim Alfred is making against you,’ responded Alyce, without hesitation. ‘And intend inviting the jury to award punitive damages against Leanne Jefferies, as well. Bob sent our detailed claim to her lawyer yesterday; he’s from the same firm representing Alfred, incidentally. Bob thinks that’s a bad move on their part. Could be interpreted that Alfred and Leanne are still involved.’

As this conversation could be interpreted against him and Alyce, Jordan thought. The idea came with that reflection, as well as the awareness that the prompt to Reid had to come from Alyce. He said, ‘The way to bring it out in court would be for Bob to cross-examine her on who was paying for her defence.’

‘Yes it would, wouldn’t it?’ agreed the woman, just as quickly.

From the tone in which she talked Jordan imagined the woman to be smiling. ‘Maybe you should mention it to Bob?’

‘Already decided,’ said Alyce, the smile still in her voice.

‘You back in Raleigh?’

‘Still in Manhattan. I had more to do here than I thought.’

‘The application for my dismissal from the case is being heard next week.’

‘I know. I’m on standby to be a witness in your favour, if necessary.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ He had to lead her thinking into telling him everything.

‘I thought I did at the conference in Raleigh; that I would support the application in any way I could?’

‘I hadn’t appreciated it to be as positive as that. I can’t imagine how I could help as far as you are concerned, but you know I’ll be there for you in whatever way I can.’

‘I think you did tell me. But thank you for telling me again.’

‘Let’s do that,’ urged Jordan. ‘Tell each other things at the risk of repetition.’ He had to know everything.

‘I…’ started Alyce but abruptly stopped.

‘What?’ demanded Jordan.

‘Nothing,’ refused Alyce. ‘Newspapers – the media in general – are chasing me. That’s another reason – the main reason, I suppose – for my not going back to Raleigh. They’re watching the estate: virtually camped outside.’

‘But not here in Manhattan?’

‘This is a new address, since I got back from France. What about

…?’ Alyce trailed to a halt again.

‘What?’

‘My arm’s getting tired, holding the phone up for so long.’

He needed the continuing conduit, Jordan reminded himself again. ‘Your guy – and mine – insisted we shouldn’t meet unchaperoned.’

‘Which I think is bullshit.’

‘That’s what we’re employing them for – advice.’

‘I still think it’s bullshit. We’re adults, for Christ’s sake!’

‘Looking at a lot of potential problems we don’t want to make any worse.’

‘I shouldn’t have started this.’ The smile had gone from her voice.

‘Nothing’s started.’ He needed her, Jordan recognized. Needed her as a source of information and needed her support if she had to be a witness at the dismissal hearing. And he knew from accessing the Watchdog computer less than an hour ago that neither he nor Alyce remained under any surveillance.