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“No, the major was just leaving. Anything else, Alex?”
“Nothing,” said Fisher, wondering if he ought to tell Don Pedro about his appointment with Lady Virginia. He decided against it. After all, it might have nothing to do with the Barringtons or the Cliftons. “I’ll ring you as soon as I know that date.”
“Be sure you do, major.”
“Does he have any idea what you’re up to?” asked Diego once Fisher had closed the door behind him.
“Not a clue, and that’s the way I intend to keep it. After all, he’s unlikely to be very cooperative when he discovers he’s about to lose his job. But more important, did you get me the extra money I need?”
“Yes, but at a cost. The bank has agreed to increase your overdraft by another hundred thousand, but they’re insisting on more collateral while interest rates are so high.”
“Aren’t my shares security enough? After all, they’re almost back to what I paid for them.”
“Don’t forget, you had to pay off the chauffeur, which turned out to be far more expensive than we’d bargained for.”
“Bastards,” said Martinez, who had never told either of his sons the threat Kevin Rafferty had made if he’d failed to pay up on time. “But I’ve still got half a million in the safe in case of emergencies.”
“When I last checked, it was just over three hundred thousand. I’m even beginning to wonder if this vendetta with the Barringtons and the Cliftons is worth pursuing when there’s a chance it could end up bankrupting us.”
“There’s no fear of that,” said Don Pedro. “That lot won’t have the balls to take me on when it comes to a showdown, and don’t forget, we’ve already struck twice.” He smiled. “Jessica Clifton turned out to be a bonus, and once I’ve sold all my shares I’ll be able to sink Mrs. Clifton along with the rest of her precious family. It’s all just a matter of timing, and I,” said Don Pedro, “will be holding the stopwatch.”
* * *
“Alex, how good of you to pop around. It’s been far too long. Let me get you a drink,” said Virginia, walking across to the cabinet. “Your favorite tipple is gin and tonic, if I remember correctly?”
Alex was impressed that she remembered, as they hadn’t seen each other since Lady Virginia had caused him to lose his place on the board some nine years ago. What he did remember was the last thing she had said to him before they parted: And when I say good-bye, I mean good-bye.
“And how are the Barrington family faring now you’re back on the board?”
“The company is just about through the worst of its troubles, and the Buckingham’s first booking period is going extremely well.”
“I was thinking of booking a suite for the maiden voyage to New York. That would get them thinking.”
“If you do, I can’t imagine they’ll invite you to join them at the captain’s table,” said Fisher, warming to the idea.
“By the time we dock in New York, darling, mine will be the only table anyone wants to sit at.”
Fisher laughed. “Is that what you wanted to see me about?”
“No, something far more important,” said Virginia, patting the sofa. “Come and sit down beside me. I need your help with a little project I’ve been working on, and you, major, with your military background and business experience, are the ideal person to carry it out.”
Alex sipped his drink and listened in disbelief to what Virginia was proposing. He was about to reject the whole idea when she opened her handbag, extracted a check for £250 and handed it to him. All he could see in front of him was a pile of brown envelopes. “I don’t think—”
“And there’ll be another two hundred and fifty once the job is done.”
Alex saw a way out. “No, thank you, Virginia,” he said firmly. “I would want the full amount up front. Perhaps you’ve forgotten what happened the last time we made a similar deal.”
Virginia tore up the check and, although Alex desperately needed the money, he felt a sense of relief. But to his surprise, she opened her bag again, took out her checkbook and wrote the words, Pay Major A. Fisher, five hundred pounds. She signed the check and handed it to Alex.
* * *
On the journey back to Bristol, Alex thought about tearing up the check, but his mind kept returning to the unpaid bills, one threatening him with legal action, the outstanding monthly maintenance and the unopened brown envelopes waiting on his desk.
Once he’d banked the check and paid his bills, Alex accepted that there was no turning back. He spent the next two days planning the whole exercise as if it were a military campaign.
Day one, Bath recce.
Day two, Bristol preparation.
