Out Of The Red
Page 30
“Says the woman who made a fortune from fraud and then killed her accomplices.”
“It was a bit more complicated than that.”
“It really wasn’t.”
Clare, turned, re-crossing her legs, aware that March was watching them. He was so easy to read. She wasn’t finished.
“I wanted to help the Germans, not just because they have some interesting projects, as we both know, but mainly because I just wanted to do good, you know? The trafficking had to stop. I mean, obviously it goes on, but we put a dent into it. Does that make sense?”
“It does. It’s all very noble.”
“It’s not a question of being noble. Just that I wanted to do the right thing for its own sake. Do some good in the world and make a difference. Even if the condition of being allowed to get involved meant saving you when I’m fairly sure you weren’t quite as innocent as you pretend. But you know what? I think that I’ve done that now. In some ways, it just feels like I’m out of the red. Back in the black. Back to thinking about what I want from life, and what’s best for me.”
“You’ve never been shy of doing that, if you don’t mind me saying.”
“I’ve had moments. But fundamentally I like to think I’m a good person.”
March smiled, as though not believing a word.
“What’s next?” he asked.
“You go back to work and try to behave yourself.”
“And you?”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
March leaned forward.
“You do know I could arrange for you to be arrested at any moment?”
“You could, but not now. Not when I know what I know.”
He laughed.
“They’d never believe you.”
“Are you prepared to run that risk?”
“For the kudos of bringing in the elusive Clare Woodbrook?”
She was suddenly alert, not liking the change in his expression.
“The thing is, my dear,” he went on, “I’m afraid there’s been a rather significant change in the plan.”
She looked into his eyes, leaned forward and lowered her voice.
“Graham, you’re not in a position to renegotiate. And just for the avoidance of any kind of doubt, you don’t want me as an enemy.”
“I was thinking that. And that’s why I thought, maybe, it was time to change the rules. I hate to sound cold about it, but you do represent an unacceptable risk.”
“Meaning?”
“Well again, not wanting to be coarse, but having you as part of the equation has ceased being, what I like to call, tenable.”
He tapped the ash from the end of his cigar and took a large mouthful of the wine.
“Of course, it gives me no pleasure. You’re a lovely looking lady so it seems like a terrible waste, but we’re all supposed to think you’re dead already so it won’t come as a surprise. You didn’t think I could fraternise with a wanted criminal, did you?”
He leaned back in his chair and looked up, towards the back of the room, and the open doorway that led through to the lobby. She turned to see what had caught his attention. There were four men in dark suits near the concierge desk, each of whom seemed to possess the physique of a steroid-abusing bodybuilder. One was talking to a smartly dressed member of staff. As she caught his eye, the concierge indicated in her direction. The men started to approach. She turned back to March. His expression seemed cold, cruel.
“Obviously Danny will miss you, but it’s a dangerous game as we know. If you’d like me to pass on a final message, now would be a good time.”
She was momentarily speechless. March seemed to be studying her, maybe looking for signs of fear. The men were getting closer. They entered the bar.
“I’m sorry to be the executioner, my dear, but needs must.”
The four men arrived at the table, taking a position on each corner. There was no escape. Clare had been expecting this moment. There was no point in being afraid.
“You are, and always will be, a bastard,” she said, looking straight into his hard, expressionless eyes. Then she looked at the men. They were even bigger up close. They looked brutal, intimidating, uncompromising. She took a deep breath.
“Graham,” she said, “I’d like to introduce you to four friends of mine.”
Thank you for reading Out Of The Red. I hope you enjoyed it!
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For Philip Wolff.
Special thanks
Writing Out Of The Red brought back happy memories of the Emap days of 1994. Thanks, therefore, to friends and colleagues of the era - including Louise Duffy, Darren Wallace, Sarah Harron, Paul Smith, Marcus Austin, Joe O’Halloran, Gail Robinson, Paul Bennett, Clare Newsome, Adam Ellis, Dave Cartwright, Roger Gann, Garret Keogh, Mike Hales, Adam Ellis, Max Cooter, Gautam Paul, Neil Ellul, Anielka Briggs, Cass Spencer, Roger Green, Ruth Allen and everyone else with whom I had the pleasure to share moments in the workplace.
As ever, huge thanks to my editor, Carrie O’Grady, for endless encouragement, fresh perspectives, brilliant suggestions and impeccable attention to detail.
Many thanks too, of course, to Mary Cafferkey, for support and inspiration. I hope you like it…
Out Of The Red was largely written by candlelight over many late nights. Special mention again, therefore, to DayBehavior for the ultimate soundtrack. The new album, Based On A True Story, is coming soon and will no doubt underpin book three. :-)
Find them at www.daybehavior.com.
If you enjoyed Out Of the Red you should read Cold Press - book 1 in the Anna Burgin series.
In the winter of 1993, top investigative journalist Clare Woodbrook goes missing on the eve of unveiling her biggest story.
Her researcher, Danny Churchill, sets out to find her, aided by his flatmate - fashion photographer Anna Burgin. But they’re not alone in trying to find Clare.
Danny and Anna embark upon on an explosive trail of murder, intrigue and police corruption, and as the stakes rise, so their own lives are very much on the line.
Order Cold Press NOW in print or Kindle format at Amazon
Also available: In The Frame - the series prequel novella.
Photography student Anna Burgin didn’t expect to be arrested, but she’s the only suspect for a series of crimes, and the Police have found damning evidence in her room.
But Anna has no recollection of doing anything wrong. Was it a moment of madness? Or is somebody setting out to destroy her? And is the stranger in the bar really trying to help, or just part of an evil conspiracy?
> Find it at Amazon or download a free copy when you join the mailing list at:
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About the author
David Bradwell grew up in the north east of England but now lives in Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire. He has written for publications as diverse as Smash Hits and the Sunday Times and is a former winner of the PPA British Magazine Writer of the Year Award. Aside from writing, he runs a hosiery company with web sites at www.stockingshq.com and www.tightsandmore.com.
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Copyright
Out Of The Red was first published in 2017 by Pure Fiction
Copyright © David Bradwell, 2017
www.davidbradwell.com
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission.
The right of David Bradwell to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 This is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.