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

“Mr. Carrick.”

The finance director hesitated. He had told Emma that he was opposed to the whole concept, as he was certain the costs would spiral and, despite Buchanan’s assurances, the company would end up having to borrow large sums from the bank.

“In favor,” Mr. Carrick whispered.

Emma swore under her breath. She put a cross next to Carrick’s name, and re-checked her list. Five votes each. Every head turned to face the newest member of the board, who now held the casting vote.

Emma and Ross Buchanan were about to discover how Don Pedro Martinez would have voted, but not why.

DON PEDRO MARTINEZ

1958–1959

7

“BY ONE VOTE?”

“Yes,” said the major.

“Then buying those shares has already proved a worthwhile investment.”

“What do you want me to do next?”

“Go on backing the chairman for the time being, because it won’t be too long before he’ll be needing your support again.”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“You don’t need to understand, major.”

Don Pedro rose from behind his desk and walked toward the door. The meeting was over. Fisher quickly followed him out into the hall.

“How’s married life treating you, major?”

“Couldn’t be better,” lied Fisher, who had quickly been made aware that two people cannot live as cheaply as one.

“I’m glad to hear that,” said Martinez, as he handed the major a thick envelope.

“What’s this?” asked Fisher.

“A little bonus for pulling off the coup,” replied Martinez as Karl opened the front door.

“But I’m already in your debt,” said Fisher, slipping the envelope into an inside pocket.

“And I’m confident you’ll pay me back in kind,” Martinez said, noticing a man sitting on a bench on the opposite side of the road, pretending to read the Daily Mail.

“Do you still want me to come up to London before the next board meeting?”

“No, but the moment you hear who’s been awarded the contract to build the Buckingham, phone me.”

“You’ll be the first to know,” said Fisher. He gave his new boss a mock salute before marching off in the direction of Sloane Square. The man on the opposite side of the road didn’t follow him, but then, Captain Hartley knew exactly where the major was going. Don Pedro smiled as he strolled back into the house.

“Karl, tell Diego and Luis that I want to see them immediately, and I’ll need you as well.”

The butler bowed as he closed the front door, making sure he remained in character whenever someone was watching. Don Pedro returned to his office, sat down at his desk, smiled and thought about the meeting that had just taken place. This time they wouldn’t foil him. Everything was in place, to finish off not one, but the entire family. He didn’t intend to tell the major what his next move would be. He had a feeling that despite his regular bonuses, the man might prove squeamish under fire, and there could be a limit to how far he was willing to go. Don Pedro didn’t have to wait long before there was a tap on the door and he was joined by the only three men he trusted. His two sons took their seats on the other side of the desk, which only reminded him that his youngest son couldn’t be present. It made him even more resolute. Karl remained standing.

“The board meeting could not have gone better. They agreed by one vote to go ahead with the commissioning of the Buckingham, and it was the major’s vote that swung it. The next thing we need to find out is which shipyard will be awarded the contract to build it. Until we know that, we can’t go ahead with the second part of my plan.”

“And as that might prove rather expensive,” chipped in Diego, “do you have any ideas as to how we’re going to bankroll this whole operation?”