Страница 81 из 117
He had to lure this man into a swamp from which he could not hope to escape. Charlie Duncan might be able to help him strip Lawrence Davenport of his adoring fans; Gary Hall could even cause Gerald Payne to be humiliated in the eyes of his colleagues and friends; but it would take far more to ensure that Spencer Craig would end his legal career, not sitting in judgment on the bench wearing a wig and red gown while being addressed as m'lord, but standing in the dock being convicted by a jury of his fellow citizens on a charge of murder.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
"GOOD MORNING, GEORGE," said Da
"Good morning, Sir Nicholas."
Da
"A hot chocolate and The Times, Sir Nicholas?" he asked once Da
"Thank you, Mario. I'd also like a table for lunch tomorrow at one o'clock, somewhere I can't be overheard?"
"That won't be a problem, Sir Nicholas."
Da
They had also been able to inform him that for some years the council's pla
"Good morning, Sir Nicholas."
Da
"These are the deeds for Wilson 's garage," he explained. "Contracts were exchanged when I met up with Miss Wilson this morning." Da
Da
"And the two buildings on either side?" asked Da
"To my surprise," said Hall, "I think we can close a deal on both sites." This came as no surprise to Da
"Pay Mr. Isaacs his asking price. Offer Mr. Kamal three hundred thousand and settle for three hundred and twenty."
"But I still think I can get you a better deal," said Hall.
"Don't even think about it," said Da
"Understood," said Hall, as he continued to write down Da
"Once you've closed both deals, let me know immediately so I can open negotiations with the council about the strip of land behind the three sites."
"We could even draw you up some outline plans before we approach them," said Hall. "It might be an ideal site for a small office block, even a supermarket."
"No it would not, Mr. Hall," said Da
"I'll remember," said Hall.
Da
"Meanwhile, I'll deposit five hundred and seventy thousand pounds in your client account today, so that you can close both deals as soon as possible-but don't forget, on the same day, and without either side finding out about the other sale and certainly without them becoming aware of my involvement."
"I won't let you down," said Hall.
"I hope not," said Da
"I know exactly the right man," said Hall.
Da
"How are you, Beth?" asked Alex Redmayne as he rose from behind his desk and ushered her toward a comfortable chair by the fire.
"I'm well, thank you, Mr. Redmayne."
Alex smiled as he took a seat by her side. "I never could get Da
"The truth, Mr. Redmayne, is that Da
"I wish he was sitting there now telling me that," said Alex, "although I was delighted when you wrote asking to see me."
"I wanted to seek your advice," said Beth, "but until recently, I haven't been in a position to do so."
Alex leaned across and took her hand. He smiled when he saw the engagement ring, which she hadn't worn on the previous occasion. "How can I help?"
"It's just that I thought I should let you know that something strange took place when I went to Belmarsh to pick up Da
"That must have been a dreadful experience," said Alex.
"In some ways it was worse than the funeral," replied Beth. "But as I left, I bumped into Mr. Pascoe."
"Bumped into," said Alex, "or had he been hanging around hoping to see you?"
"Possibly he had, but I couldn't be sure. Does it make any difference?"
"A world of difference," said Alex. "Ray Pascoe is a decent, fair-minded man, who never doubted Da
"That's the strange thing," said Beth. "He told me he had a feeling Da
"A slip of the tongue, perhaps," said Alex. "Did you press him on the point?"
"No," said Beth. "By the time I'd thought about it he was gone."
Alex didn't speak for some time while he considered the implications of Pascoe's words. "There's only one course of action open to you if you still hope to clear Da