Asquith regarded him for a moment with a quizzical expression, looking almost amused by the scene and what Campbell was saying.
‘Perhaps we should take a seat whilst you tell me some more, dear boy.’
‘I’m not entirely sure that I follow you.’
Horner watched him replace the black pouch between them on the table.
‘I thought that was obvious. Very well,’ Horner drew a deep breath and let it out. ‘I am acutely aware since the most unfortunate turn of events in your offices two weeks ago, that the evidence of my malfeasance has come to light. I am utterly determined that this information should not come into the public domain under any circumstances given the consequences of such an eventuality.’
Horner stopped then and looked across at the other man, almost as if he were waiting for him to catch up.
‘Whilst the problem is more immediate, I have absolute faith in your discretion. However, should life lead you somewhere else in the coming years your own motivation for silence might be somewhat eroded. I was hoping that I might perhaps… strengthen your resolve.’
Griffin was nodding impatiently as Horner finished repeating his explanation. ‘One question first of course is why on earth you still have something like this?’
‘Well one should maintain a broad asset base. You never know when you might need to cash something in you see.’
‘This does rather undermine your protestations of innocence Michael.’
‘I hardly think so. It is simply a remnant of my past. And besides, as I explained, it is your silence that I seek, not your approval.’
‘Yes, of course. And you suppose this-,’ Griffin waved a hand at the pouch sitting between them, ‘- blood diamond might secure my compliance through to the grave? To bury your secrets with something that you dug up? That is precious Michael. Your arrogance and your vanity I mean.’
‘That stone is flawless and likely worth six digits. Are you quite sure you can afford to be so judgmental? That’s quite an indulgence for the sake of occupying the moral high ground.’
‘Spare me Michael. Please. You are a crass, vulgar man and woefully poor of judgement if you think for a moment that I’m for sale. You had better hope that Geoffrey gets you out of this one.’
‘I’m sure Geoffrey will do the right thing.’
‘Yes, I’ve no doubt he will,’ Griffin said and stood up. Horner remained seated. ‘How much you owe him.’
‘I will be forever in his debt,’ Horner replied.
‘You know to be honest, I’m a little surprised that you don’t already know. In fact I think you probably do,’ Campbell said as the two men sat themselves down in the comfortable armchairs at the far end of the suite.
‘Once again Mr Campbell I get the strangest sense that you are implying something about me that I’m not sure I like. Are you trying to suggest that I’m involved in all this?’
Campbell wondered for a second whether Asquith was trying to suggest as much himself. ‘Well you are perfectly placed aren’t you? And a man of your intelligence and connections shouldn’t have too much trouble in taking the necessary steps to do this. I mean who on earth would suspect?’
Asquith’s expression was both dismissive and disdainful.
‘Of course I don’t believe that for a second but stranger things have happened in the past fortnight believe me.’
‘So you’ve said.’
At that, Campbell stood and swept open his jacket, hoisted up his shirt and showed off the patchwork of colour on his ribs.
Asquith winced at the sight of it. ‘What on earth is this all about? Uninvited guests with mysterious memory sticks, a comprehensive knowledge of a blackmail plot that not even my wife knows about. And you look as if you’ve been hit by a bus.’
‘It’s a long story.’
‘And while we’re at it what on earth is this charade? I thought I was meeting an old business associate.’
‘I know that, I had it set up,’ Campbell replied. How much of the story should he tell? How much would the other man really want to hear? The idea crossed his mind that Asquith was starting to play along now as a stalling tactic. Perhaps he had some way of signalling someone or a prearranged time when he should have reported in.
‘Very resourceful, young man.’
‘I’m not so clever, or resourceful. Just scared.’
‘Well I’m confused. Do go on.’
‘OK.’ He stared at the ceiling for a moment. Where to begin? ‘Right then. The guy that left the memory stick with me, the one with the evidence of what your old business partner was up to in West Africa?’
Asquith nodded for him to go on and Campbell recounted everything. The original hiding place of the stick, the break in at his flat and the night with Slater and Gresham in the east London lock-up. He told him about his escape and his subsequent flight to Cornwall where he was found and attacked and his return to London, running out of options and deciding finally that he might have to go to the police but being snatched before he could do so. He told him about the showdown in the house where Walker had been gunned down and the deal that he had struck with Gresham.
He left out any reference to Sarah, unwilling to involve her any more in the whole situation. If he could bring the other man around to his way of thinking then all this could end and Sarah would be in the clear and him too and then they could try to get back to having normal lives again.
‘Come on. Who would have access to that information? Who was best placed to know exactly what had gone on? Who would be in a position to maintain ties with you down the years, to be able to get to you whenever they decided they needed to? Someone who had influence and capital, someone with nous and business sense and intelligence.’
‘Dear God,’ Asquith muttered.
Campbell looked him in the eye and nodded, happy and relieved that the old man had finally got it, surprised that it had taken him so long to figure out.
Asquith’s expression was almost as if Campbell had just told him that it was his own mother. ‘Andrew Griffin?’ he said.
65
Wednesday. 7pm.
The room was silent and Horner’s mask of self assurance had slipped just a little. Griffin was staring out of the window now looking relaxed and as though he were simply appreciating the view across the park outside and the glittering skyline beyond.
‘You know something Michael? I feel slightly ashamed. Underestimating you the first time around was one thing. I didn’t know you well enough then to have been able to get your true measure. But twice? That’s inexcusable really. I should have seen this coming.’
‘Is it worth it Andrew?’
‘And what’s that?’ he said, finally turning to look at Horner.
‘Is it worth turning down a six figure sum — the security of your family, your future — just so you can preach to me for a few short moments? Make it good.’
‘My family? My future?’ Griffin’s tone was mocking now and he looked as if he might start laughing. ‘Always the cheap shot isn’t it? Always the obvious approach. No subtlety about you, no vision, that’s the problem. No tact. It is always the way with men like you whose self-regard is so divorced from reality. They say that childhood ends the moment you realise that the world does not revolve around you. You should think about that.’
‘Moral instruction and philosophy too? You do surprise me Andrew. Are you finished?’ Horner’s anger was barely concealed, Griffin’s words stinging him as much as the rejection of his offer which still lay there, a small black stain on the polished veneer of the table.
‘With you Michael, yes. Quite finished. Good night.’
Michael Horner was facing the window when the door closed but he could see the triangle of reflected light grow and then fold into nothing in the plate glass. He watched the night for a minute longer and then decided that he shouldn’t ought to waste the Bordeaux he had arranged for and got up and poured himself a glass.