I glance at the menu and feel Rupert’s eyes on me. For some reason, I can’t bring myself to ask for the steak. It feels as though my future with Rupert Maynard may depend on my choice of dinner.
‘The duck sounds great,’ I say.
And it is. But the meal drags on, and I keep sneaking looks at my phone.
‘Need to be somewhere else?’ Rupert asks.
‘No, no. Just checking on my son. I like to say goodnight to him.’
‘Don’t let me stop you. Kids are important.’
I nod gratefully, and then wonder why the hell I feel grateful. I step outside and call Jo. I tell her things are running late, but I won’t be much longer.
‘Don’t worry,’ she says. ‘I’ve had my curry. An early night with my book sounds like heaven.’
‘Don’t miss me too much,’ I joke. I spot Nic waving at me. ‘I’d better go. Love you,’ I say.
Back at the table, coffee and liqueurs await.
‘Here’s to our deal,’ says Rupert.
Nic raises his glass to clink with mine, but I pull back.
‘I don’t think we’ve agreed on a deal yet,’ I say, rather more brusquely than I intended. Nic’s cheek twitches, and I can see he’s uncomfortable.
I’m already light-headed from the Martinis and wine. Any more, and I won’t be able to think straight.
‘I thought Nic had put you in the picture,’ Rupert says, sounding surprised.
Nic shifts uncomfortably. ‘I’ve given him the basic gist. I thought it would be best coming from you.’
‘Right. Down to business,’ Rupert says.
I sip my coffee, grateful we’re finally getting to the point.
‘Taxes here are criminal,’ he says, lowering his voice. ‘A man works hard, keeps his nose clean, and then they want half of it. My businesses are legal, you understand, but I need someone to set up offshore accounts. Nic said you’re the guy. Nic said you could make it look legitimate.’
I shift uneasily in my seat. ‘Why would I need to make it look legitimate if it already is?’
Clearly, this isn’t the reaction they’ve been expecting.
Rupert smiles. ‘Let’s not quibble over a few unregistered companies,’ he says.
Nic kicks me under the table, and hisses ‘There’s good payback for us.’
‘Ten grand for every transaction you handle,’ Rupert adds.
Ten thousand. So, this isn’t legal after all.
‘Nic will be your go-between, give you everything you need. I want the money to go through a reputable company.’
Lockwood and Holland. The perfect front for laundering.
I bite my lip.Ten grand… just like that?‘I’ll need to think it over,’ I say.
Rupert smiles. ‘Of course.’
But it’s obvious that’s not the answer he expected. My head’s spinning. I want to go home.
