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"Can I make a suggestion?" said Payne.
"Go ahead," said Da
"If you're so certain there are only two sites in contention, why not purchase both of them? Your profit may not be as large, but it would be impossible for you to lose."
Da
"Good idea," said Da
Payne laughed. "I'll get straight on to it, Nick, and be back in touch with you as soon as I've tracked down the owner."
"Don't hang about," said Da
Payne produced the same smile as he stood to shake hands with his new client. As Da
"Yes, I will. I occasionally invest in his shows."
"Then I may see you there," said Da
"Will do," said Payne. "Can I just check on one thing before I get started?"
"Yes, of course," said Da
"When it comes to the investment, will you be putting up the full amount yourself?"
"Every pe
"And you wouldn't consider allowing anyone else to have a piece of the action?"
"No," said Da
"Forgive me, Father, for I have si
Father Michael smiled the moment he recognized Beth's gentle voice. He was always moved by her confessions, because what she considered to be a sin, most of his parishioners would not have thought worthy of mention.
"I am ready to hear your confession, my child," he said, as if he had no idea who it was on the other side of the lattice window.
"I have thought unworthily of another, and wished them ill."
Father Michael stirred. "Are you able to tell me what caused you to have such evil thoughts, my child?"
"I wanted my daughter to have a better start in life than I did, and I felt that the headmistress of the school I had chosen did not give me a fair hearing."
"Is it possible that you were unable to see things from her point of view?" said Father Michael. "After all, you may have misjudged her motives." When Beth didn't respond, he added, "You must always remember, my child, that it is not for us to judge the Lord's will, as He might have other plans for your little girl."
"Then I must ask for the Lord's forgiveness," said Beth, "and wait to discover what is His will."
"I think that would be the wise course to take, my child. Meanwhile, you should pray and seek the Lord's guidance."
"And what penance should I perform, Father, for my sins?"
"You must learn to be contrite, and to forgive those who ca
"Thank you, Father."
Father Michael waited until he heard the little door close and was sure that Beth had departed. He sat alone for some time while he gave Beth's problem considerable thought, only relieved that he was not interrupted by another parishioner. He then stepped out of the confessional box and headed for the vestry. He walked quickly past Beth who was on her knees, head bowed, a rosary in her hand.
Once he'd reached the vestry, Father Michael locked the door, went over to his desk and dialed a number. This was one of those rare occasions when he felt the Lord's will needed a little assistance.
Big Al dropped the boss outside the front door a few minutes after eight. Once Da
Da
Da
"Nick," he said as if they were old friends. "Good news. I've tracked down the bank which represents the owner of one of the sites."
"And do you have any contacts there?"
"Unfortunately not," admitted Payne, "but as they are based in Geneva, the owner may well be a foreigner who has no idea of the site's potential value."
"Or he may be an Englishman who knows only too well." Da
"Either way," said Payne, "we'll find out tomorrow because the banker, a Monsieur Segat, has promised to call back in the morning and let me know if his client is willing to sell."
"And the other site?" asked Da
"Not much point in chasing after that if the owner of the first site is unwilling to sell."
"You're probably right;" said Da
"Gerald," said Lawrence Davenport, leaning down to kiss Payne on both cheeks.
Da
"Do you know Nick Moncrieff?" asked Payne.
Davenport showed neither recognition nor interest.
"We met at your closing-night party," said Da
"Oh, right," said Davenport, showing a little more interest.
"I saw the play twice."
"How flattering," said Davenport, giving him the smile reserved for his fans.
"Will you be starring in Charlie's next production?" asked Da
"No," replied Davenport. "Much as I adored being in Earnest, I can't afford to devote my talents to the stage alone."
"Why's that?" asked Da
"You have to turn down so many opportunities if you commit yourself to a long run. You never know when someone's going to ask you to star in a film, or take the lead in a new miniseries."
"That's a pity," said Da
"How nice of you to say so," said Davenport. "Perhaps you'll have another opportunity at some time in the future."
"I do hope so," said Da