Cometh the Hour (The Clifton Chronicles 6)
“Did he retire?”
“No, he resigned after he was accused of planting evidence on a gangland boss who kept getting away with, quite literally, murder.”
“How did you come across him?”
“I was his defending counsel when the trial came to court. I got him off, but he resigned from the force the next day.”
“Then track him down, because I need to see him as soon as possible.”
“I’ll get onto it straight away. Anything else?”
“Get hold of Sebastian.”
* * *
Seb walked slowly back to the hotel and thought about all the wasted years, and how he intended to make up for them, whatever sacrifices he had to make. If only Samantha would give him a second chance. Was Jessica right? Would they really be willing to live in London? Tonight would be like a first date, and he suspected that Samantha would be just as nervous as he was. After all, her husband had recently died, and Seb had no way of knowing how she felt about seeing him again. Perhaps their young chaperone knew more than she was willing to admit. Another woman he dreaded the thought of being parted from.
When Seb entered the hotel, he went to the desk and asked the receptionist, “How long does it take to get to the Belvedere restaurant?”
“It’s just around the corner, sir, shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Do you have a reservation? They’re sure to be fully booked on a Saturday night.”
“Yes, I do,” said Seb confidently.
“And I have an urgent message for you, Mr. Clifton. Would you please call a Mr. Arnold Hardcastle? He’s left a number. Shall I get him on the line and put the call through to your room?”
“Yes, please,” said Seb, before heading for the nearest lift. He’d never known Arnold to use the word “urgent.” What could possibly be that important? Had he failed to sign one of the pages in the merger document? Had Victor changed his mind at the last moment? Once he was in his room he only had to wait a few moments before the phone rang.
“Sebastian Clifton.”
“Seb. Thank God I’ve finally got hold of you.”
“What’s the problem, Arnold?”
“I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Seb listened in disbelief as Arnold went over everything that had happened to Hakim since he’d stepped off the plane at Heathrow.
“It has to be a setup, pure and simple,” said Seb angrily.
“My exact words,” said Arnold. “But I’m afraid it’s not pure, and it certainly isn’t simple, while the evidence is so stacked against him.”
“Where is he now?”
“In a cell in Wandsworth. He feels it’s essential that you’re back at your desk when the market opens on Monday morning.”
“Of course I will be. I’ll take the next flight back to Heathrow.” He put the phone down and immediately dialed the front desk. “I’ll be checking out in the next half hour. Please have my bill ready, and would you book me onto the first available flight to London? And can you look up the number of a Mrs. Michael Brewer, get her on the line and put her straight through?”
Seb packed quickly, and then checked that he’d left nothing behind. He was zipping up his bag when the phone rang again.
“I’m sorry, sir, but Mrs. Michael Brewer is unlisted.”
“Then get me Dr. Wolfe at Jefferson Elementary School. She’s the headmistress.”
Seb paced around the room. If he could speak to Dr. Wolfe, she would surely have Sam’s number …
The phone rang again.
“Dr. Wolfe is not answering her phone, Mr. Clifton, and the only flight I can get you on takes off in just under two hours, so you’d have to hurry. All the other London flights are fully booked.”