“What is it you want? And you didn’t have to hit me like that.”
Dillon watched carefully as Latimer tried to move into a more comfortable position. Dillon held up the gun again.
“You might have shot me. You should think yourself a very lucky man that I decided to punch you instead.”
Dillon pulled out the Glock from his jacket pocket.
“I could have simply killed you with this. I dare say that my reflexes are a lot quicker than yours. I’ve been in this room before, you know?”
Latimer was shaken by this revelation.
“That’s impossible.”
“Not at all. Went through everything, including your safe — the one hidden behind that full-length mirror in your bedroom. I found some very interesting documents and was just wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving me some background information on them.”
“You’re lying, there’s nothing missing from that safe.”
Latimer’s voice was bristling with anger and resentment. But he sounded unconvincing and was now worried that Dillon knew exactly where his safe was located.
“This might come as a bit of a blow, Julian. But at that time I was in no particular hurry and managed to photograph everything. Where else do you suppose I got the Lyme Regis address from? Has Trevelyan worked that out yet? Because if he hasn’t, rest assured, he will.”
Dillon was trying his best to compromise Latimer — to put just enough fear into him to make him talk.
“I just need a little more information to fill in the gaps, that’s all.”
He took a chance, knowing full well that it could easily backfire on him.
“I know you got that list in 1983. I also know that you were sitting on a number of Parliamentary committees at the time. But the one that interested me the most was the one concerning independent security firms. In particular, Brinks Mat. Now I’m only guessing you understand, but I would imagine it went something like this: From sitting on that committee, you were then offered a small, unofficial retainer by the directors of Brinks Mat. I’d guess that it was for prior warning of any moves by the Government, which might be, let’s say, detrimental to their business. I’m sure that with your charm and a well-placed, impressionable young secretary, you would have been able to wheedle out all sorts of highly sensitive information — including timetables. That you did — and have, since that time, abused your position as an MP solely for the purpose of personal financial gain. I don’t know where that stands in the eyes of the law, but as sure as hell the tabloids will have a field day with you whatever else happens. I dare say that wouldn’t please Trevelyan either. Let’s face it, Julian. You’re in the shit right up to your fat little neck and however you look at it, there’s no escaping for you, old son.”
Latimer was recovering, rubbing the painful swelling on his jaw. But his eyes were not yet fully alert and the years of experience in evasion, lying and bending facts to suit his own end, were forming a formidable barrier in his mind. There was also another aspect to give him comfort, but he would have to hold his corner first.
“Your imagination is an extremely furtive one, Dillon. You’re also completely wrong about everything and have no idea what you’re messing with here. As for me being in deep shit, you’d better find a good lawyer, because you are guilty of breaking in and entering, as well as theft. As for your pathetic attempt to intimidate me, well it hasn’t worked. Now get out.”
As he stood up, Dillon punched the politician hard in the stomach. Latimer instantly doubled up and started to retch. A moment later, he was sick over the living room carpet. Dillon leant against the back of a sofa, waiting for him to recover.
“I suppose you’ve conned so many people for such a long time that you genuinely believe you can get away with it forever. Well how would you like both your kneecaps blown off? I only ask because it’s most likely what you’d expect from someone like me. I now want you to tell me what those lists of names and addresses mean.”
Dillon pulled out the Glock and slowly attached the specially made silencer.
“I can make a guess, but I want to be one hundred percent sure. Now, tell me what they represent.”
Dillon slipped off the safety catch.
“This is loaded with hollow point bullets, Julian. So that you’re under no illusion as to what they are, I’ll tell you. I like to use them because they don’t travel too deep into the flesh, but cause maximum tissue damage. Which means that you will most certainly never walk again if, indeed, you actually live through the ordeal.” Latimer was again sitting upright, but had both his arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
“You’re bluffing, playing with that thing. You wouldn’t dare do anything to me and you certainly won’t fool me into saying anything.”
Dillon sat back down on the chair in front of the politician, being careful not to tread in any of Latimer’s breakfast now lying on the carpet.
“Did Trevelyan tell you that he had at least three people killed to protect those lists of names? Did he tell you that he’d sent five men down to the house in Lyme Regis? That I killed three, possibly four, if they didn’t get him to a hospital in time for a blood transfusion? And that I deliberately let two of them live to go back and tell the tale. Or does he protect you from the blood and guts end of his business and just give you the edited version? No, I’m definitely not bluffing, Julian. But you most certainly are. Please feel free to call the police. I won’t try and stop you.”
Dillon levelled the gun.
Latimer went as white as an Egyptian cotton sheet. It had now dawned on him just how much trouble he was in and that he wasn’t going to be able to slither his way out of this crisis by bluff or procrastination. Latimer now realised that Dillon wasn’t just another blunt instrument — that he had nerve and was tenacious. His audacity knew no boundaries and his ability to control was like nothing he’d ever encountered. It struck him that he’d most likely just heard the truth about the deaths in Dorset.
“If I tell you I’m dead anyway.” The voice wavered.
“Who needs to know? How would anyone else ever find out? What I hear in this room stays in this room, as far as I’m concerned.”
Latimer was now fully conscious and extremely nervous. His eyes flitted around the room, not really focusing on anything in particular.
“It would soon become evident that I was the one who told you.”
Where were Trevelyan’s men? He had phoned for help before letting Dillon into the building. He realised he was beginning to panic, but he couldn’t help the feeling of foreboding that was now weighing heavily upon him. Dillon had the expressionless features of a hardened professional. Latimer’s head was spinning. Was he going to blow both his kneecaps off, or was it just an idle threat? The incredible steadiness of the gun pointing at him confirmed it would be the kneecaps.
He added, “If I tell you, I’m finished. Trevelyan’s men will be outside by now. If I were you I’d get out of here as quickly as possible.”
Although the statement was spoken with bravado, it was quite obvious that Latimer was as nervous as a man can get without wetting himself. However, Dillon did manage to pick his way through and pull the truth out of it. Latimer was waiting for something to happen and had reconciled himself that it was about to go down on his own doorstep. The politician was not only scared of him, but of what he might have started in order to protect himself.
Dillon slowly moved across the room and stood with his back to the wall behind the door.
“So tell me, what exactly have you done?”
“I phoned Trevelyan for help from my mobile phone. I wasn’t sure at first when you were standing downstairs in front of the CCTV. The image on the screen wasn’t clear enough. But once you were outside the front door in the hallway, I was sure. Trevelyan is many things that I dislike in a person, but he is thorough. You see, he issued everyone with your photograph. Otherwise I would have sent the cancellation text. But it’s too late now. You’re trapped with nowhere to run.”