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"No. Why should he," said Segat, "when everyone seems to know which site is going to be selected?"
Having gained all the information he needed, Da
"The highest bidder turned out to be Fairfax Homes, a first-class company, which the council has worked with in the past. I've studied their proposal," said Segat, handing Da
"How much?" asked Da
"Ah, yes," said Segat, checking his figures, "remembering that your outlay was a little over a million pounds, I think you can be well satisfied that Fairfax Homes came in at £1,801,156, giving you a profit of over half a million pounds. Not a bad return on your capital, remembering that the money's been in play for less than a year."
"How do you explain the figure of £1,801,156?" asked Da
"I would guess that Mr. Fairfax expected that there would be several bids around the one point eight million mark and just stuck his date of birth on the end."
Da
"Do I have your authority to call Mr. Fairfax and let him know his was the successful bid?"
"Yes, do," said Da
While Segat made the call, Da
"I'll just pass you over to Sir Nicholas, Mr. Fairfax," said Segat. "He would like to have a word with you."
"I've just been studying your plans, Mr. Fairfax," said Da
"That's right," said Fairfax. "Four beds, four baths, all ensuite, just over three thousand square feet."
"Overlooking a garage on the other side of Mile End Road."
"Less than a mile from the City," retorted Fairfax. Both of them laughed.
"And you're putting the penthouse on the market at six hundred and fifty thousand, Mr. Fairfax?"
"Yes, that's the asking price," Fairfax confirmed.
"I'll close the deal at a million three," said Da
"A million two and you've got yourself a deal," said Fairfax.
"On one condition."
"And what's that?"
Da
Da
Da
"Nick Moncrieff," said Da
Davenport was wearing a silk dressing gown and slippers. He clearly hadn't shaved for several days and began blinking in the morning sunlight like an animal that had come out of hibernation on the first day of spring. "You told me you had an investment you thought I might be interested in," Da
"Oh, yes, I remember now," said Lawrence Davenport, sounding a little more receptive. "Yes, come in."
Da
"Do have a seat while I get changed," said Davenport. "I'll only be a moment."
Da
The anonymous voice had called from Geneva that morning to say that houses in the square were currently changing hands at around three million pounds. Mr. Davenport had purchased number 25 in 1995, when eight million viewers were tuning in to The Prescription every Saturday evening to find out which nurse Dr. Beresford would be sleeping with that week. "He has a mortgage of one million pounds with Norwich Union," said the voice, "and for the last three months he's fallen behind with his payments."
Da
"Can I fix you a drink?" asked Davenport.
"It's a little early for me," said Da
"It's never too early," said Davenport as he poured himself a large whiskey. He took a gulp and smiled. "I'll get straight to the point, because I know you're a busy chap. It's just that I'm a little strapped for cash at the moment-only temporary, you understand-just until someone signs me up for another series. In fact, my agent was on the phone this morning with one or two ideas."
"You need a loan?" said Da
"Yes, that's the long and the short of it."
"And what can you put up as collateral?"
"Well, my paintings for a start," said Davenport. "I paid over a million for them."
"I'll give you three hundred thousand for the entire collection," said Da
"But I paid over…" spluttered Davenport, pouring himself another whiskey.
"That's assuming you can provide evidence that the total you paid does amount to over a million." Davenport stared at him, as he tried to recall where they had last met. "I'll instruct my lawyer to draw up a contract, and you'll receive the money the day you sign it."
Davenport took another gulp of whiskey. "I'll think about it," he said.
"You do that," said Da
"So what's the catch?" asked Davenport.
"No catch, but if you fail to pay the money back within twelve months, the paintings will be mine."
"I can't lose," said Davenport, a broad grin spread across his face.
"Let's hope not," said Da
"I'll send a contract round along with a check for three hundred thousand pounds," said Da
"That's good of you," said Davenport.
"Let's hope your agent comes up with something that suits your particular talents," said Da
"You don't have to concern yourself about that," said Davenport. "My bet is that you'll have your money back within a few weeks."
"That's good to hear," said Da
"My home?" said Davenport. "No, never. Out of the question, don't even think about it."
He closed the front door as if he'd been dealing with a tradesman.