Майкл Ридпат - The Predator

‘I know,’ said Chris. He was struck by an unpleasant thought. ‘Christ, what will we do if the police ask questions?’

Eric thought for a second. ‘If the police ask, don’t say anything. It was a US crime, so it will be American jurisdiction. I don’t know how it is in this country, but in the States they can’t force you to incriminate yourself. In fact, better yet, give me a call, and I’ll get you a good American lawyer. You’d better tell Ian and Duncan that as well.’

‘And Megan,’ said Chris.

‘Megan?’ said Eric in surprise. ‘Have you seen Megan?’

‘Yes. She came to our office last week. She was supposed to be staying with Lenka. They’d become good friends, apparently.’

‘Really?’ said Eric. ‘How is she? I always liked that woman, you know.’

‘I think she liked you too,’ said Chris.

‘Yes, well.’ For a moment Eric looked uncharacteristically flustered. ‘Actually, I haven’t seen her for years. What’s she doing now?’

‘She’s studying medieval history at the University of Chicago. She’s spending the next six months at Cambridge researching her dissertation for her PhD, I think.’

‘Good. Well, say hi to her from me if you see her again.’

‘I will.’

Eric frowned. ‘I think we did the right thing about Alex. I mean, Duncan would have been prosecuted, I’m sure, and that would have been wrong. Provided we all stick together and don’t admit to anything, we’ll be OK. It’s a long time ago.’

‘I think we did the right thing, too. Besides, we don’t know what Lenka said to Marcus, let alone how he’ll react to it. I’m going to the States next week and I’d like to get in touch with him. Do you have his phone number, or address or anything? I’ve only got his e-mail address.’

‘I don’t know,’ said Eric. ‘I doubt it. I can check when I get back to New York, if you like. But I suspect my assistant jotted his number down on a scrap of paper and threw it away when I told her I didn’t want to talk to him. He shouldn’t be too difficult to find, though. Marcus Lubron can’t be a common name.’

‘Did you ever meet him when Alex was alive?’

‘No. If you remember, he was travelling. Skiing in the winter, and sailing in the summer, I think. He didn’t even come back for Alex’s funeral. I don’t think Alex’s mother could get hold of him in time. By the way, did you know she died a month later?’

‘No, I didn’t. I do remember she was awfully ill.’

‘Poor Alex.’

They both drank in silence.

‘Anyway, how’s your fund doing?’ Eric asked. ‘What’s it called again? Carpathian?’

‘That’s right. We had a solid start. Twenty-nine per cent return in the first nine months.’

Eric raised his eyebrows. ‘That’s more than solid. That’s damn good.’

Chris smiled. He lapped up the praise. Eric was one of the few people he wanted to impress, and he was proud of what he and Lenka had achieved.

‘But we’ve run into one or two problems since Lenka died.’

‘Oh.’

‘Do you remember Rudy Moss?’

‘Rudy Moss. I certainly do. The fat guy with the pointy nose. Didn’t he leave Bloomfield Weiss a few years ago?’

‘Yeah. He joined Amalgamated Veterans Life. Where he invested in our fund. Until last week. He said he’d take his money out now Lenka was gone.’

‘No? I always knew he was a jerk.’

‘He is,’ Chris confirmed. ‘The problem is the market’s down and Lenka took a big position in a Bloomfield Weiss deal that turns out to be a dog.’

‘Let me guess... Eureka Telecom?’

‘That’s the one. You didn’t have anything to do with that deal, did you?’ asked Chris.

‘Oh, no. It’s my group, though. I do international telecoms M&A. It’s a hot area. But Eureka Telecom is a bit small for me.’

‘Really?’ said Chris. ‘I knew you were in M&A, but I’d forgotten which sector. Maybe you can help.’

Eric stiffened. ‘I don’t know about that.’

‘You see, Ian told Lenka something quite interesting before she bought the bonds. He said there was a good chance that Eureka Telecom would be taken over by Radaphone. Since then, the deal has crapped out. Is there any chance that might be true?’

‘Whoa, Chris,’ said Eric. ‘That question blasts through about fifteen internal procedures, half a dozen regulations and a couple of Chinese walls.’

‘But Eric. As a mate. I really need the help. Just a clue.’

‘No, Chris. These rules apply especially to mates. And definitely no clues. And don’t assume from that that I know anything, OK? Also, Ian was way out of line telling Lenka that, whether it’s true or not.’

‘Sorry,’ said Chris. ‘I suppose I shouldn’t have asked you. Forget it. It’s just that it does worry me.’

‘Forgotten,’ said Eric. ‘But I suggest we stay well clear of the topic in future.’

‘Agreed. So how’s your business going?’

‘Pretty good,’ said Eric. ‘We did the Luxtel — Morrison Infotainment deal last year. And the Deutsche Mobilcom — Cablefrance deal. In fact, we’re number one in telecoms advisory worldwide. And as I said, it’s a hot place to be.’

‘You’re one of the top producers, I take it?’

‘I took over the group at the beginning of last year.’

‘Oh.’ Chris thought about that. At thirty-three, Eric was running probably the most profitable Mergers and Acquisitions group in the world. He must have got a good bonus last year. A bonus in the tens of millions of dollars. Chris was so tempted to ask, but decided against it.

Eric was watching him. He knew what he was thinking. He gave a tiny smile.

‘I always thought you’d do well,’ said Chris. ‘So well, that I think you can afford to buy me another drink.’

‘I’d like to, but I’m supposed to be going out to dinner with some clients in a couple of minutes. But look, you said you were coming to the States soon?’

‘I’m going to Hartford to see Rudy bloody Moss a week on Monday.’

‘Why don’t you come to dinner? I should be in New York that week, although the way things are going I can’t guarantee it. You haven’t met Cassie yet, have you?’

‘No. I’d like to do that. Thank you.’

‘Great. See you then.’

Eric slipped away, and approached a group of three Italian-looking businessmen in the lobby. Another big deal.

‘Bloomfield Weiss.’

‘Ian? It’s Chris.’

‘Oh.’

‘Where are you making Eureka Telecom?’

‘Do you want to deal?’

‘No. Just a level.’

‘One tick.’

Chris waited. He was expecting bad news, and he got it.

‘Eighty-eight to ninety.’ Ian’s voice was tense. Ready for an argument.

Chris didn’t give him one. ‘Ian, we need to talk.’

Ian sighed. ‘After Friday, I don’t think that’s necessary, do you?’

‘It’s about Lenka.’

‘We talked about Lenka.’

‘I went to her flat on Friday night. I saw her e-mails. Including one to you. And one to Marcus.’

‘To Marcus! What did it say?’

‘I don’t think we should talk about that on the phone, do you? I’ll see you in half an hour at Ponti’s.’

‘But Chris, I’ve got to talk to my clients!’

‘No, Ian. You’ve got to talk to me.’

This time it took Chris the full half hour to get there. The café was quiet at nine thirty on a Monday morning. Those who were going to work were already there, and it was too early for the loiterers to emerge. Ian was sitting at a table over a cappuccino and a cigarette, flirting with a striking six-foot tall waitress. His smile disappeared when he saw Chris. The waitress gave Chris a black look for interrupting them, and drifted off. Chris ignored her and sat down opposite Ian.