Jeffrey Archer - Cometh the Hour

“Well done, Desmond,” were Virginia’s first words when she returned to the drawing room. “You certainly impressed a lot of influential people this evening.”

“Yes, but are any of them on the honors committee?” said Mellor, reverting to his old persona.

“No, but I’m confident I can get both Sir Miles and Dame Eleanor to sign your nomination papers, which can’t do any harm, remembering they are both friends of the duke.”

“So how much longer will I have to wait before I hear from the Palace?”

“One can’t hurry these things,” said Virginia. “You must appreciate, the committee cannot be rushed.”

“Meanwhile, you’re costing me a small fortune, Virginia. You must have wined and dined half the landed gentry.”

“And to good purpose, because they’re slowly coming around to my way of thinking,” said Virginia, as the butler helped Mellor on with his overcoat. “You’ll just have to be a little more patient, Desmond,” she added, before allowing him to bend down and kiss her on both cheeks. “Goodbye, Sir Desmond,” she mocked, but only after the butler had closed the door.

Buy Amalgamated Wire, but don’t let anyone know I authorized it, because that would be insider trading. Keep up the good work, Gavin, and I’m sure it will be reflected in your annual bonus.

Hakim pressed the Stop button. “What more could we ask for? Once the Ethics Committee hears all four tapes, Mellor and Sloane will be unable to show their faces in the City ever again.”

“But if you were to present those tapes to the Bank of England as evidence,” said Arnold, “they’re bound to ask how you obtained them. And when you tell them, they may think you’re no better than those two rogues you want to see behind bars.”

“Why?” said Hakim. “The tapes prove that Sloane organized the planting of the drugs, and Mellor covered his expenses. And not satisfied with that, they’re now trying to set me up a second time using a doctored tape to leave the impression I was involved in insider trading.”

“True, but the committee may feel that by secretly taping them, you’ve also broken the law. And they certainly wouldn’t condone that.”

“Are you suggesting I shouldn’t use the tapes to clear my name?”

“Yes, because in this case, the means do not justify the end. Anyone who hears those tapes will know they were acquired without the knowledge of the participants, which would make them inadmissible in a court of law. In fact, it could well be you who ends up being referred to the DPP.”

“But if they’re allowed to present their damning fake tape to the committee and I’m not able to show what they’ve been up to, at best I’ll have to spend another year defending myself, and at worst, I’ll end up losing my banking license.”

“That’s a risk I’d be willing to take if the alternative is being compared to those two scumbags,” said Arnold. “And for what it’s worth, that’s my advice. Of course, you’re free to ignore it. But should you decide to go down that road, I fear I won’t be able to represent you on this occasion. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m expected back in court at ten.”

Hakim remained silent until Arnold had closed the door behind him.

“What do I pay that man for?”

“To give you his considered judgment,” said Sebastian. “Which might not always be what you want to hear.”

“But surely you agree with me, Seb, that I should be able to defend myself?”

“That wasn’t the point Arnold was making. He simply feels that the way you went about acquiring the tape leaves you open to being accused of being no better than Sloane and Mellor.”

“And you agree with him?”

“Yes, I do, because I only have to ask myself what Cedric would have done, if he was still sitting in your chair.”

“So I’m expected to suffer another year of humiliation?”

“I’ve suffered for fifteen years because I didn’t listen to Cedric’s advice, so I can only recommend you listen to his son.”

Hakim pushed his chair back, stood up and began to pace restlessly around the room. He finally came to a halt in front of Seb. “If you’re both against me—”

“Neither of us is against you. We’re on your side, and only want what’s in your best interests. You could of course call Ross and get a third opinion.”

“I don’t need to call Ross to know what his opinion would be. But what am I expected to do when a member of my own staff delivers that tape to the Bank of England and tells the committee he felt it was no more than his duty to report me?”

“Think like Cedric, be advised by Arnold, and in the end you’ll defeat the bastards.”

An elderly gentleman shuffled slowly out of the wings, a walking stick in each hand. He came to a halt in the center of the stage and peered down at the packed audience.

“Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “this is a day I’ve been looking forward to for over forty years. Forty-two to be precise, and there were times when I didn’t think I’d live to see it. Hallelujah!” he shouted, looking up to the skies, which was greeted with laughter and applause. “But before I ask Samantha Sullivan to open the theatre named after her, can I say how delighted I am that Sebastian Clifton was able to join us today. Because without his unstinting support and encouragement, this theatre would never have been built.”

The audience burst into applause a second time, as Maurice Swann looked down at his benefactor, who was seated in the front row.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d honored your agreement?” whispered Samantha as she took Seb’s hand.

Sebastian had wondered how he would feel about Samantha after the intervening years. Would the memory of things past evaporate into thin air? Or would he... He need not have worried because, if anything, he fell more in love with her “the second time around.” Sam had lost none of her allure, her tenderness, her wit or her beauty. His only fear was that she might not feel the same way. Jessica didn’t help with her less-than-subtle hints that it was high time her parents got married.

“I now invite Samantha to join me on stage to perform the opening ceremony.”

Samantha walked up the steps onto the stage and shook hands with the former headmaster. She turned to face the audience, hoping they wouldn’t be able to see how nervous she felt.

“I’m so honored to have a theatre named after me,” she began, “especially as I’ve never been a good actress and am terrified of public speaking. But I have to say how proud I am of the man who has made it all possible, Sebastian Clifton.”

When the applause had finally died down, Mr. Swann handed Samantha a large pair of scissors. She cut the tape that stretched across the stage and the whole audience rose to their feet and cheered.

For the next hour, Samantha, Sebastian and Jessica were surrounded by teachers, parents and pupils who wanted to thank them for all Mr. Clifton had done. Sam looked up at Seb and realized why she had fallen in love with him a second time. Gone were the rough edges of greed, replaced with an understanding of what the other side had the right to expect. Seb kept telling her how lucky he was to have been given a second chance, whereas she felt—

“You can see how much this means to the entire community,” said Mr. Swann. “If there’s ever anything I can do to show my appreciation, just—”

“Funny you should mention that,” interrupted Jessica. “Pops told me you used to be a director.”

“Yes, but that was a long time ago.”

“Then I’m going to have to bring you out of retirement to direct your swan song.”

“That was an awful pun, young lady. What do you have in mind?”