Desmond Bagley - The Tightrope Men

Carey looked down into Whitehall and saw Denison crossing the street. Lyn ran towards him and they kissed, then linked arms and walked past the mounted guards and under the arch. ‘They’re sensible people; there’ll be no trouble.’

‘Good!’ said Lyng, and picked up the folder from where Denison had left it.

Carey swung around. ‘But Thornton is a different matter.’

‘I agree,’ said Lyng. ‘He’s got the Minister’s ear. We’re going to have a rough ride with this one regardless of whether Denison keeps silent.’

Carey’s voice was acid. ‘I don’t mind if Thornton plays the Whitehall warrior as long as the only weapon he shoots is a memorandum. But when it comes to a deliberate interference in operations then we have to draw a line.’

‘Only a suspicion — no proof.’

‘Meyrick’s death was bad enough — although it was accidental. But what he did to Denison was abominable and unforgivable. And if he’d got hold of Merikken’s papers his bloody secret laboratories would be working overtime.’

‘Forget it,’ said Lyng. ‘No proof.’

Carey grinned. ‘I told a lie just now — the only lie I’ve told to Denison since I’ve known him. I’ve got the proof, all right. I’ve got a direct link between Thornton and his crooked plastic surgeon — Iredale was able to put me on to that one — and it won’t be long before I find the sewer of a psychologist who diddled around with Denison’s mind. I’m going to take great pleasure in peeling the skin off Thornton in strips.’

Lyng was alert. ‘This is certain? Real proof?’

‘Cast iron.’

‘Then you won’t touch Thornton,’ said Lyng sharply. ‘Let me have your proof and I’ll deal with him. Don’t you see what this means? We can neutralize Thornton — he’s out of the game. If I can hold that over him I can keep him in line for ever.’

‘But...’ Carey held himself in. ‘And where does justice come in?’ he asked heavily.

‘Oh, justice,’ said Lyng indifferently. ‘That’s something else again. No man can expect justice in this world; if he does then he’s a fool.’ He took Carey by the elbow and said gently, ‘Come; let us enjoy the sunshine while we may.’