by KJ Griffin
Chapter 41: Guildhall, November 1st, 12:10 a.m.
Clayton grabbed at his mobile. It was just possible Robbie had the number, but the feminine voice soon told him otherwise.
‘Max, what have you done to my Sophie?’ Alison's voice was wet with grief, and Clayton regretted having given Alison his personal number.
‘She's being questioned by New Scotland Yard anti-terrorist squad, Alison. She'll be fine just as soon as they piece together the whole story between her and Robbie.’
Suddenly the tears seemed to dry up on the other end of the line and Alison's voice turned harder.
‘You had her arrested, didn't you, Max?’
Dinsdale, Knox and the Cabinet Permanent Under Secretary were all staring at him now. Clayton decided to move out of the control room using the heavy noise in the communications room for cover instead.
‘I had no choice, Alison. Robbie saw to that the minute he burst into the Commons.’
‘I can't believe you could have done that, Max! You've got to get Sophie out.’
‘I can't, Alison. It's not as simple as that.’
‘Listen to me, Max Clayton. I've got something to tell you that I've kept from you for a very long time. In return, you'll have Sophie released immediately. Do you understand?’
‘Wait a minute, Alison…’
‘I’ve got a minicab and I’m on my way to you. Where is the nearest place I can reach by taxi to get to you?’
‘Hang on, we can't meet now…’
‘Give me a rendezvous, Max. Right now. This can't wait any longer.’
Clayton didn't need any more persuading. He knew Alison too well to know she wasn't lying. He checked his watch.
‘Meet me outside Smith’s on Victoria Station in thirty minutes' time. Can you do that?’
The line was already dead. He knew Alison would be on her way.