Джеффри Арчер - This Was a Man

‘What’s the catch?’

‘No catch, although we’ve had our differences in the past. My sole interest is revenge — I want Adrian Sloane and Jim Knowles removed from the board and the company to be run properly, and I can’t think of anyone better to do the job.’

‘And what would you expect in return?’ Seb paused and, looking him straight in the eye, added, ‘When you get out of jail.’

A buzzer sounded, warning them they had ten minutes left.

‘That might not be for some time,’ said Mellor, snapping one of the chocolate fingers in half. ‘I’m now facing a further charge you don’t even know about.’

Seb didn’t press him. Time was running out and he had several more questions that needed answering before he could consider Mellor’s proposition. ‘But you will get out eventually.’

‘And when I do, I will expect my fifty-one per cent share-holding in Mellor Travel to be returned in full, also for one pound.’

‘Then what’s in it for Farthings?’

‘This time you can appoint the chairman, the board, and run the company. Farthings can also charge a handsome retainer for their services, while collecting twenty per cent of Mellor Travel’s annual profits, which I think you’ll agree is more than fair. You’ll also have the added pleasure of removing Adrian Sloane from the chair for a second time. All I’d ask in return is to receive a copy of the minutes following every board meeting, and to have a face to face meeting with you once a quarter.’

The buzzer sounded a second time. Five minutes.

‘I’ll give it some thought and when I’ve made up my mind, I’ll call you.’

‘You can’t call me, Mr Clifton. Prisoners can’t receive incoming calls. I’ll ring you at the bank next Friday morning at ten, which should give you more than enough time to make up your mind.’

The buzzer sounded a third time.

Jessica looked at the clock as her father walked into the hall and hung up his coat.

‘You only just made it in time,’ she said, giving him a reluctant kiss on the cheek.

Sebastian grinned. ‘So where do you want to have dinner, young lady?’

‘Harry’s Bar.’

‘In London or Venice?’ he asked as they strolled into the drawing room.

‘London this time.’

‘I don’t think I’ll be able to get a table at such short notice.’

‘I’ve already booked.’

‘Of course you have. Anything else I should know about?’ he asked, as he poured himself a stiff whisky.

‘It’s not what you should know,’ scolded Jessica, ‘it’s what you’ve forgotten.’

‘No, I haven’t.’ Like a magician, Seb produced a gift from an inside pocket.

‘Is that what I think it is?’ Jessica asked, smiling for the first time.

‘Well, it’s certainly what you’ve been hinting about for the past few weeks.’

Jessica threw her arms around her father. ‘Thanks, Pops,’ she said, ripping off the wrapping paper and opening a small, slim box.

‘Am I back in favour?’ asked Seb, as Jessica strapped the Warhol Swatch on to her wrist.

‘Only if you’ve remembered Mom’s present.’

‘But it’s not her birthday,’ said Seb. ‘At least, not for a couple of months.’

‘I know that, Pops, but it is your wedding anniversary tomorrow, just in case you’ve forgotten.’

‘Help! Yes, I had.’

‘But luckily I hadn’t,’ said Jessica, pointing to a beautifully wrapped box on the table, with a card attached.

‘What’s inside?’

‘A pair of Rayne shoes Mom spotted in the King’s Road last week, but thought were a little too expensive. All you have to do is sign the card.’

They heard the front door open, and Seb quickly scribbled An unforgettable year. Love Seb xxx on the card. ‘How did you manage to pay for them?’ he whispered, as he placed the pen back in his pocket.

‘On your credit card, of course.’

‘God help your husband,’ said Seb, as Samantha joined them.

‘Look what Pops has given me for my birthday!’ said Jessica, thrusting out her arm.

‘What a lovely present,’ said Samantha, admiring the Campbell’s Soup watch.

‘And I’ve got something for you too, my darling,’ said Seb, as he picked up the box from the table, just hoping the ink had dried. ‘Happy anniversary,’ he added, before taking her in his arms.

Samantha looked over her husband’s shoulder and winked at her daughter.

Arnold Hardcastle joined Hakim and Sebastian in the chairman’s office for the third time that week.

‘Have you had enough time to consider Mellor’s proposition?’ asked Hakim, as the bank’s legal advisor sat down opposite them.

‘I most certainly have,’ said Arnold, ‘and there’s no doubt it’s a fair offer, but I have to ask, why is Mellor handing over the company to you of all people?’

‘Because he hates Adrian Sloane even more than we do?’ suggested Seb. ‘Don’t forget, Sloane was responsible for him failing to get his hands on the bank.’

‘There are other banks in the City,’ said Arnold.

‘But none that know how Sloane operates as well as we do,’ replied Hakim. ‘Have you made contact with Mellor’s lawyers to find out if they think this deal is for real?’

‘It’s real enough,’ said Arnold. ‘Although their senior partner confessed he was as puzzled by it as we are. I think he summed it up best when he suggested it might be a case of better the devil you know.’

‘When’s Mellor likely to be released?’ asked Seb.

‘It may not be for some time,’ said Arnold, ‘as he’s facing further charges.’

‘Further charges?’ said Hakim.

‘Dealing in counterfeit money. And there’s another charge of entrapment.’

‘I can’t believe Mellor would do anything quite that stupid, especially when he was already in custody.’

‘If you’re locked in a prison cell all day,’ said Arnold, ‘I suspect your judgement might become clouded, especially if the only thought on your mind is how to get even with the man who’s responsible for you being there.’

‘I have to admit,’ said Hakim, ‘if I hadn’t had you two watching over me when I was in prison, God knows what I might have got up to.’

‘I’m still not convinced,’ said Seb. ‘It’s all too easy. Don’t forget that if Mellor swallowed a nail, it would come out as a corkscrew.’

‘Then perhaps we should walk away from the deal,’ said Arnold.

‘And allow Sloane to go on taking advantage of his position, while growing richer by the minute?’ Seb reminded them.

‘Fair point,’ said Hakim. ‘And although I’ve never considered myself a vindictive man, I wouldn’t be sorry to see Sloane finally destroyed. But perhaps Seb and I are taking this too personally and should simply look at the deal on its merits. What’s your opinion, Arnold?’

‘There’s no doubt that under normal circumstances it would be a worthwhile deal for the bank, but after your past experiences with Mellor, perhaps it would be wise if I were to inform the Bank of England’s Ethics Committee that we’re considering entering into a business transaction with someone who’s in jail. If they have no objection, who are we to disagree?’

‘That’s certainly the belt-and-braces solution,’ said Hakim. ‘Why don’t you do that, Arnold, and report back to me once you’ve canvassed their opinion?’

‘And I don’t have to remind you,’ said Seb, ‘that Mellor will be phoning me at ten on Friday morning.’

‘Just make sure he doesn’t reverse the charges,’ said Hakim.

The two of them sat alone at the end of the bar to be sure they couldn’t be overheard.

‘When you think about it,’ said Knowles, ‘it’s surprising that you ended up as the chairman of a travel company. After all, I’ve never known you to take a holiday.’