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.He retreated to his study, locked the door and sat at his desk.He picked up the phone and dialed the number on the card."I will need to move a small amount of money sometime today, and very quickly," he said."Understood.""I will also require someone to advise me on a property transaction.""They will be in touch with you later today."Danny replaced the phone and checked his watch.No one would be at their desks before nine.He paced around the room, using the time to rehearse his questions, questions that mustn't sound prepared.At one minute past nine, he took the piece of paper out of his pocket and dialed the number."Douglas Allen Spiro," said a morning voice."You have a for-sale sign outside a property on Mile End Road," said Danny."I'll put you through to Mr.Parker, he deals with properties in that area."Danny heard a click."Roger Parker.""You have a property for sale on Mile End Road," repeated Danny."We have several properties in that area, sir.Can you be more specific?""Wilson's garage.""Oh, yes, first-class property, freehold.It's been in the same family for over a hundred years.""How long has it been on the market?""Not long, and we've already had a lot of interest.""How long?" repeated Danny."Five, perhaps six months," admitted Parker.Danny cursed to himself as he thought about the anxiety Beth's family must have been going through, and he'd done nothing to help.He wanted to ask so many questions that he knew Mr.Parker couldn't answer."What's the asking price?""Two hundred thousand," said Parker, "or near offer, which of course includes the fixtures and fittings.Can I take your name, sir?"Danny replaced the receiver.He stood up and walked across to a shelf that had three files on it marked Craig, Davenport and Payne.He took down Gerald Payne's file and checked the phone number of the youngest partner in Baker, Tremlett and Smythe's history, as Mr.Arnold Pearson QC had been so keen to inform the jury.But Danny had no plans to speak to Payne today.Payne had to come to him, desperate to be part of the deal.Today was saved for the messenger.He dialed the number."Baker, Tremlett and Smythe.""I'm thinking of buying a property on Mile End Road.""I'll put you through to the department that handles East London."There was a click on the end of the line.Would whoever picked up the phone ever discover they had been randomly selected to be the messenger and shouldn't later be blamed when the earthquake erupted? "Gary Hall.How can I help you?""Mr.Hall, my name is Sir Nicholas Moncrieff and I wonder"—slowly, very slowly—"if I've got the right man.""Tell me what it is you need, sir, and I'll see if I can help.""There's a property for sale in Mile End Road that I'd like to buy, but I don't want to deal directly with the vendor's estate agent.""I understand, sir.You can be assured of my discretion." I hope not, thought Danny."What number in Mile End Road is it?""One four three," Danny replied."It's a garage—Wilson's garage.""Who are the vendor's agents?""Douglas Allen Spiro.""I'll have a word with my opposite number there and find out all the details," said Hall, "then give you a bell back.""I'll be in your area later today," said Danny."Perhaps you could join me for a coffee?""Of course, Sir Nicholas.Where would you like to meet?"Danny could only think of one place he'd ever been to that was anywhere near Baker, Tremlett and Smythe's offices."The Dorchester," he said."Shall we say twelve o'clock?""I'll see you there at twelve, Sir Nicholas."Danny remained seated at his desk.He put three ticks on a long list in front of him, but he still needed several other players to be in place before midday if he was going to be ready for Mr.Hall.The phone on his desk began to ring.Danny picked it up."Good morning, Sir Nicholas," said a voice."I manage the bank's property desk in London."Big Al drove Danny to Park Lane, and drew up outside the terrace entrance of the Dorchester just after eleven thirty.A doorman walked down the steps and opened the back door of the car.Danny stepped out."My name is Sir Nicholas Moncrieff," he said as he walked up the steps."I'm expecting a guest to join me around twelve—a Mr.Hall.Could you tell him I'll be in the lounge?" He took out his wallet and handed the doorman a ten-pound note."I certainly will, sir," said the doorman, raising his top hat."And your name is?" asked Danny."George.""Thank you, George," said Danny, and walked through the revolving doors and into the hotel.He paused in the lobby, and introduced himself to the head concierge.After a short conversation with Walter, he parted with another ten-pound note.On Walter's advice, Danny made his way to the lounge and waited for the maître d' to return to his post.This time Danny took a ten-pound note out of his wallet before he'd made his request."Why don't I put you in one of our more private alcoves, Sir Nicholas? I'll see that Mr.Hall is brought across to you the moment he arrives.Would you care for anything while you're waiting?""A copy of The Times and a hot chocolate," said Danny."Of course, Sir Nicholas.""And your name is?" asked Danny."Mario, sir."George, Walter and Mario had unwittingly become members of his team, at a cost of thirty pounds.Danny turned to the business section of The Times to check on his investments while he waited for the innocent Mr.Hall to appear.At two minutes to twelve, Mario was standing by his side."Sir Nicholas, your guest has arrived.""Thank you, Mario," Danny said as if he were a regular customer."It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Nicholas," said Hall as he took the seat opposite Danny."What would you like to drink, Mr.Hall?" said Danny."Just a coffee, thank you.""A coffee and my usual, please, Mario.""Of course, Sir Nicholas."The young man who had joined Danny was dressed in a beige suit, green shirt and a yellow tie.Gary Hall would never have been offered for a position at the Banque de Coubertin.He opened his briefcase and took out a file."I think I have all the information you require, Sir Nicholas," said Hall, flicking open the cover."Number one hundred and forty-three Mile End Road—used to be a garage, owned by a Mr.George Wilson, who died recently." The blood drained from Danny's face as he realized just how far the ramifications of Bernie's death had extended; a single incident that had changed so many lives."Are you feeling all right, Sir Nicholas?" asked Hall, looking genuinely concerned [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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