by Neil Wild
What a mess. Did he have to make a decision here and now?
“Well if it isn’t Jonny Brakespeare again. Just the man I was meaning to call?”
Brakespeare was jarred out of his thoughts by the cheery voice of Joe Gargan, who was bearing down on the table carrying a tray over laden with food, and a full pint of Guiness.
Brakespeare rose to his feet. Lisa hastily recovered her composure.
“Joe, what on earth are you doing here. You can’t be on C.P.S. business.”
“Law Society Hockey Club. I’m Vice President this year. We’re having a committee meeting so I’ve taken the day off.”
He eyed up Lisa. “This must be your Miss Brains.”
“Barnes.” Corrected Lisa.
“I know what I said.” Joe grinned at Lisa. “Don Durkin has told me all about you. You made quite an impression on him. In more ways than one.” Never a subtle man, Joe winked at Jonny and proceeded to unload his tray on the small table. Brakespeare and Lisa moved their plates to make room.
“Mind if I join you?” Joe eventually said, after he had sat down.
Lisa looked totally puzzled. Brakespeare quickly introduced Joe as an old friend from his C.P.S. days and who had first looked at the case before it was transferred to the C.P.S. in London.
Lisa’s changing expressions indicated that she had quickly identified Joe as the mysterious person who Brakespeare had been telephoning. Happy to have another subject to occupy her, and to Joe’s pleasure, she continued the conversation.
“I presume you mean D.C, Durkin.” She asked.
“The very man. You see he’s reinvestigating - that case.”
“That case?”
“That case.” Confirmed Joe. “I don’t know what you stirred up there, but he’s come to me, and the Boss says that I can supervise him.”
Jonny was relieved to have the opportunity to make eye contact with Lisa.
“You mean there’s an official investigation started.” She asked.
Joe nodded. “And I’m yer man. Of course we’re not telling that lot over there in Ludgate Hill.” He started to attack a double helping of the starter course.
“No?” asked Brakespeare.
“Well it’ll queer their pitch won’t it?”
“How so?” asked Lisa getting the measure of the man.
Joe looked up, chewing, but not letting that get in the way of talking.
“I reckon that there’s a bit of fraud been going on. That man Black, who’s the chief witness against yer man, has been trying to sell off the properties he valued.” He stopped and looked puzzled. “But you know that.”
“We do,” said Lisa, “and we told Durkin about it, so in a way we started this – for you.” She gave Joe one of her seductive looks and instantly melted him.
“Did you know that the one of the men he was trying to sell to was acting for a company connected with the National.” asked Joe proudly.
Brakespeare and Lisa were anxious not to deflate Joe.
“Go on,” said Brakespeare ignoring the question.
“Well it seems that what the National has been doing, through this company, which is owned by it’s American investors, is trying to buy some of the properties it has repossessed. That’s not right. They’re all properties which had been valued by Black”
“Do you think that he has been undervaluing them then, so that they can come in at a low price and get them before anyone else.” Asked Lisa.
“Well done. I hadn’t thought of that.” Said Brakespeare.
“Don’t be such a condescending shit.” retorted Lisa. The insult flew over Joe’s head.
“That’s what it looks like. I’ve got Durkin looking into all the purchases by National Property Investments over the last 3 years.”
“How are you doing that.”
“Land Registry. Got access to Land Registry records. If you remember, Jonny, I used to be a conveyancer before I joined the C.P.S. Knew it would be useful one day. Durkin’s looking to see who sold the properties to the company, and picking out those where the Seller was the National Bank.”
“And then?” asked Lisa.
“We’ll get a warrant and go to the solicitors. The National used one firm of solicitors.” He lowered his voice, and looked round. “They may be in this room.”
The cafeteria was now almost full with men in pin striped suits looking for spaces at tables. “They’re registered foreign lawyers It’s Bernstein, Fingle, Dulay and Masters.” whispered Joe.
“Masters!” Brakespeare and Lisa chorused.
“Clive Masters has a brother who’s a solicitor. Got him to join in with the Yanks to form the Company. Makes sure that all the Society’s work goes his way.”
Brakespeare sat back in astonishment. Lisa’s brain worked more quickly.
“What will the solicitors files tell you?”
Gargan looked at her, and then took another mouthful.
“They’ll tell us who the selling agent was, because they’ll have a letter of instruction from them.”
“And if it’s Redshaw Linden and Steele?”
“Bang.”
They watched Gargan finish his starter and begin to attack his main course.
“Joe?”
Joe looked up to see Lisa’s sweetest smile.
“How long is this going to take.”
“Piece of string question.” He replied, spreading his arms, knife and fork still in each hand.
“Only we have a problem, Joe.” she purred.
Joe stopped chewing and pouched his food in his cheeks. Lisa had caught his interest.
“We’re in Court for Directions next week. We’re going to make an application to have the Prosecution case struck out.”
“What, next week.”
“No, but it can’t be too long after that.”
Brakespeare broke in.
“But it’ll take months to do a thorough job, won’t it Joe? Are the Police up to it?”
“Oh they’re up to it all right, boyo. This has gone right up to the Chief. He has talked to the Boss, and they both want to get Masters if they can.”
“But only Durkin’s on the case.”
“So, far but he has a mate. Don’t underestimate Durkin. He’d be an Inspector at least by now if his knob hadn’t got in the way. If he starts pulling in the evidence then the Chief will allocate more resources.”
“That’s official?”
“Don’t forget that I’m the supervising solicitor. Of course it’s official.” Joe unpouched his food and continued to enjoy his meal.
Lisa was her usual animated self again.
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes; it’s started. Once Durkin goes into the solicitors….”
“Soon” Joe interjected.
“Then the alarm bells are going to be deafening. If there is an organised fiddle going on, then news of the Police investigation is going to spread like wildfire. It’ll destabilise Black and the basis of the prosecution.”
“Are you sure that you don’t want to tell Ludgate Hill?” asked Brakespeare.
Joe stopped chewing, swallowed and put his knife and fork on the table.
“Jonny Brakespeare. They made me look bad by going ahead with this case after I had advised against it. I don’t want them stopping the investigation to save their own faces.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “There will be a promotion in this for me. The Boss has said so.”
“There is something that you both seem to have overlooked,” Said Lisa. “D.C. Durkin’s position.”
“Oh, God, yes.” Said Brakespeare. “Joe, how can he be investigating the National, when he’s the officer in the case against Newberry?”
Joe hardly paused. “He’s just continuing with his investigations around the case. That’s all.”
Brakespeare looked hard at Joe. He had always wondered whether or not Joe was stupid, or whether he acted as if he was stupid.
“We’ve never had this conversation, have we, Joe?”
Joe had finished his main course, and put his knife and fork on his plate. He sat back in his chair, and looked at Brakespeare.
“Why not? We’re old mates aren’t we. We’re both solicitors, and here we are in the Law Society.” He gestured around him. “By the way the Boss has been asking about you.”
“Really?”
“There’s a job for you if you want it. He’ll have you back any day. Nice secure job with a Civil Service pension at the end. Security; that’s what you need.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Lisa was watching Brakespeare’s reaction closely.
“Sure? Sure I’m sure. He said the very thing to me. Now would I lie to you, boyo?”
“Right” said a slightly taken aback Brakespeare, thinking . “I’ll bear that in mind.”
He looked at his watch. “There’s a train at 2.05 from Paddington. I think we’d better get moving. Joe, it’s been great to see you again.” He held out his hand to Joe.
Joe stood up. “We’ll keep in touch.”
Joe held his hand out to Lisa. “You’re everything Don Durkin said you were – only better.”
“I’m not sure how I should take that, but thank you.” replied Lisa. “Jonny, would it be all right if I stayed on in London?”
“What?” Brakespeare was unable to control his surprise.
“I looked up the timetables yesterday. The train doesn’t get back until nearly six o’clock. We shan’t be going back to the office and there’s things I can do in London.”
Brakespeare felt disappointed. Lisa had never mentioned anything about staying on in London before. Damn It was their lunch time conversation that had changed her mind.
“Yes, of course you can stay. I’m going to get a cab to Paddington. Can I take you anywhere?”
“No it’s alright. I can walk.”
Joe was watching this, and had picked up on Brakespeare’s disappointment.
“Looks as if you’ll have to talk to yourself, Jonny.” he said, looking knowingly at him. “Bye both.” and he watched the difficult body language between them as they left the cafeteria.
chapter thirty seven
The next day Brakespeare was glad that he had more than enough to do in the office. He was continued worrying over his relationships.
Lisa was perfectly friendly, but in her dealings with him, had reverted to the dreamy girl that he had first encountered. She said nothing of their conversation at the Law Society.
Brakespeare realised that he could not renew the conversation without upsetting her more unless he told her the truth; that at the moment she was his favourite among three, and that he was unable to make a commitment to any of them.
He knew in his heart of hearts that there would not be a long term relationship with Mel. She didn’t give him that look. They were too disparate. Life would eventually lead them apart.
Sophie. He sighed deeply every time he thought of her. His instinct said “No.” She had let him down once, and there was a limit to the extent to which the human spirit could absorb that. He didn’t dislike her; he didn’t hate her. In fact he had no feelings for her at all, but his upbringing urged him to do what was best for the children.
Would it be better for children to live in a sham marriage, or would it be best if they had two happy parents living separately? The problem was that Sophie was not happy.
Rosemary Lappin’s skeleton argument arrived by fax.. That did force a conversation with Lisa.
“May I have a look at it?” she asked. “I know what a skeleton argument is – it’s a bullet point version of the legal arguments that you let the judge have before the case starts.”
“So that he doesn’t get caught out by anything, and make a fool of himself!” added Brakespeare. “You’d better see her note.”
“Why?”
“It says, ‘Can you please make sure that Miss Barnes is happy with the points I have made and taken from her findings.’
Lisa blushed. “It’s nice to be appreciated,” she said, and it was her turn to avoid his gaze.
“Can you write to the Court and tell them that we intend to make an application, and enclose the skeleton with your letter. Send a copy to the C.P.S.”
Lisa nodded “Do you think that the Court will deal with the application next week.”
“I doubt it.”
“Only,” she hesitated, “there’s no point in my coming with you then. I’ll come to the full hearing of the application, I might be of some use to Miss Lappin.” She waived the skeleton argument, and smiled.
“Okay”, said Newberry without any emotion, although he knew that she was now punishing him with the old trick of playing hard to get. God, how long was this stupid game going to go on. As long as you mess her about he told himself.
“Thanks,” said Lisa and left the room.
His phone rang.
“Could you come and see us?” it was Mortimer’s voice.
“Certainly.” Brakespeare put the telephone down and felt a surge of panic. This was it. He was going top be asked to leave. It would be a convenient time to do so now. Everything was set up. Rosemary Lappin was briefed, and Lisa could probably handle the rest of the case on her own.
She must have been in to see Mortimer first thing. She probably had told him of the adventures on the night of Morrison’s funeral. Had she accused him of sexual harassment? Well that would be ridiculous. She had been a more than a willing participant.
‘Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd’. She was getting her revenge.
His paranoia, never far from the surface since the Hatton affair was unbridled.
Taking a deep breath he slowly got up from his chair. He was pretty much up to date - Lisa’s help with the Newberry case had ensured that. It wouldn’t take him long to pack his things up. Summary dismissal. Well that would be the end. He’d never get a job as a solicitor again. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. Then there was Mel – or Sophie. It wasn’t the end of the world. There would be no chance of going back to Birmingham though. How could he have been so stupid? He’d done what he was always telling people not to do. He’d shitted on his own doorstep.
Margaret looked at him as he walked past the door of her room opposite. She knew. He could tell by her look that she knew something. She had become very friendly with Lisa, since Morrison’s death. He suspected that the partners also confided in her. After all she must have been in the firm for millions of years.
He knocked on the door of Mortimer’s office.
“Come in.” said Mortimer’s voice. That wasn’t his usual cheery tone.
Brakespeare walked in. Mortimer was behind his desk, and Ridley as usual next to him in a chair at the side. Both looked anxious. A chair had been placed in front of Mortimer’s desk for him to sit on. Mortimer gestured towards it.
“Come in and sit down Jonny. Sorry if this all seems a bit formal, but in a way it is.”
Brakespeare sat down and felt drained.
“Lisa was in early this morning, and said that the meeting with Rosemary Lappin was successful.” He waited for a response.
So Lisa had got her side of the story in first.
“Yes, it was. No need to have gone to see her really, but it gave David a chance to meet her, and vice versa.”
“Lisa was quite impressed with Miss Lappin.”
“Good.”
“Lisa’s been a great help to you on this case, hasn’t she.”
Brakespeare merely nodded. He wasn’t going to say that he probably would not have cracked it if it was not for her, because that would make it look as if he was trying to butter up to her.
There was a pause and Mortimer and Ridley looked at him closely.
“She handed her notice in this morning.”
Even though he had prepared for something to happen, the news came as a blow. He felt his jaw grow slack. He wanted to say ‘I hope that it wasn’t anything to do with me.’ But that would sound like an admission of guilt. What should he say
? He had to be careful now. He couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Did you have any idea that she was going to do this?” Mortimer asked.
“No.” Brakespeare answered truthfully. “I’ve seen her this morning, and she never mentioned anything.”
“Well indirectly it’s down to you. This case has been the break that she’s been looking for to get on in life. “
“What?”
“You heard her say the other week that she was going to sit the Bar examinations and get a pupillage as a barrister. Well, she has. You had no idea of this?”
“Certainly not.” Brakespeare now felt hurt. Why had his partner in the Minge Lane Partnership not confided in him.
Mortimer looked at Ridley.
“Jonny this may not be the right time to discuss this, but Dick and I are concerned about your future with us.”
‘Here it comes,” thought Brakespeare.
“We were going to mention it, but not until after David’s case had been finished. Lisa’s departure or intended departure, has made the matter more urgent.”
Brakespeare slumped in his seat. No point arguing. No point in saying anything. He had to take what comes.
“What we’d like you to do is to stay with us.” Ridley said, smiling. ”We really do.”
As usual Mortimer quickly regained the initiative. “You’ve been a breath of fresh air in this office, and more than an adequate replacement for poor Gordon. In fact, even if Gordon had still been with us, we had been wondering how we could fit you in and persuade you to stay. You’ve got a good reputation round the town.
Now that Lisa has said that she’s going, and we’re certainly not going to try and dissuade her from a career at the Bar, if you go, we’re going to have absolutely no-one to run our litigation.”
Brakespeare was lost for words. This was not what he was expecting. He was totally unprepared for the possibility that he might be asked to settle in Worcester.
“Well, Jonny?” prompted Mortimer.
“Well I’m not sure what to say. I hadn’t really given it any thought. Do I have to decide now?”
“No, but we obviously need to know sooner rather than later. I expect that there are domestic issues that you would have to consider.”
The only domestic issue going through Brakespeare’s mind was Lisa. How could she do this without telling him? Only yesterday – ah yesterday at the Solicitors Regulation Authority. What she needed to know was if there was any future with him, before making her decision. He had effectively told her that there was not. Shit. That isn’t what he meant to convey. What did he mean to convey? He didn’t know.