Be Careful What You Wish For (The Clifton Chronicles 4)

“Not an easy task, when so many suspicious eyes will always be watching.”

“We would make it worth your while.”

“Why?” said the gruff voice.

“Let’s just say I represent a rival company who would like to see Barrington Shipping in financial difficulty.”

“And how will we earn our money?” asked the cultured voice.

“By results. The contract stipulates that the construction of the ship is to be carried out in eight stages, with specific dates attached to each stage. For example, stage one has to be signed off by both sides on December the first this year at the latest. I propose that we pay you a thousand pounds for every day any stage is delayed. So, if it was held up for a year, we would pay you three hundred and sixty-five thousand.”

“I know how many days there are in a year, Mr. Lunsdorf. If we were to agree to your proposition, we would expect a ‘goodwill’ payment in advance.”

“How much?” demanded Karl, feeling like an equal for the first time.

The two men whispered to each other. “I think a down payment of twenty thousand would help to convince us that you are serious,” said the cultured voice.

“Give me the details of your bank account, and I’ll transfer the full amount tomorrow morning.”

“We’ll be in touch,” said the cultured voice. “But not before we’ve given your proposition further consideration.”

“But you don’t know where I live.”

“Forty-four Eaton Square, Chelsea, Mr. Lunsdorf.” It was Karl’s turn to fall silent. “And should we agree to assist you, Mr. Lunsdorf, be sure you don’t make the common mistake of underestimating the Irish, as the English have done for almost a thousand years.”

* * *

“So how did you manage to lose Lunsdorf?”

“He got away from Sergeant Roberts in Harrods.”

“I sometimes wish I could do that when I’m shopping with my wife,” said the cabinet secretary. “And what about Luis and Diego Martinez? Did they also get away?”

“No, but they turned out to be nothing more than a couple of smokescreens to keep us occupied while Lunsdorf made good his escape.”

“How long was Lunsdorf away?”

“Three days. He was back in Eaton Square by Friday afternoon.”

“He couldn’t have traveled too far during that time. If I was a betting man, I doubt I’d get very long odds on Belfast, remembering he’s spent several evenings during the past month drinking Guinness at Ward’s Irish House in Piccadilly.”

“And Belfast is where they’re building the Buckingham. But I still haven’t worked out exactly what Martinez is up to,” said Scott-Hopkins.

“Neither have I, but I can tell you that he recently deposited just over two million pounds at the St. James’s branch of the Midland Bank, and immediately starting buying more Barrington’s shares. It won’t be long before he’ll be able to place a second director on the board.”

“Perhaps he’s planning to take over the company.”

“And for Mrs. Clifton, the idea of Martinez running the family business would be humiliating enough. Take away my good name…”

“But Martinez could lose a fortune if he tried to do that.”

“I doubt it. That man will already have a contingency plan in place, but like you I’m damned if I can work out what it is.”

“Is there anything we can do?”

“Not a lot, except sit and wait, and hope one of them makes a mistake.” The

cabinet secretary finished his drink before adding, “It’s at times like this I wish I’d been born in Russia. By now I’d be head of the KGB, and I wouldn’t have to waste time playing by the rules.”