I was about to ask a question when Don Fisher said, “Don’t ask, Josh. It isn’t worth it.”
So now here we were, the six of us, in a semi darkened room, looking at our tormentor.
***
After the necessary procedural niceties, DCI Coombes got straight down to business.
“Lord Hickstead, I trust you had a relaxing weekend. Ours was rather hectic.”
“Yes, you mentioned to me on Saturday that my Citysafe box wasn’t as Citsyafe as I’d thought it was. I understand its contents were stolen,” the peer smiled.
“Quite a coincidence, I think you will agree.”
Alan Parsons interjected before Lord Hickstead could respond.
“Come now, Chief Inspector, you can’t be suggesting that my client robbed his own box, surely?”
“Luckily for your client, Mr Parsons, we can only prosecute on evidence,” Coombes stated. “What I believe or do not believe is neither here nor there.”
“If we could set the animosity aside for a few moments, perhaps we could discuss how this case is to proceed,” Parsons continued irritably. “I have spoken with my client and, faced with the evidence, whilst he admits nothing, he understands that there is a possibility he would be convicted of the Hammond blackmail, but I think we would all have to concede that there was at least reasonable doubt about the other charges.”
“What are you suggesting?” Coombes asked.
“Well, we could reach some kind of agreement, to save ourselves and the courts a lot of inconvenience. Perhaps his Lordship might plead guilty to a lesser charge, and the CPS could be persuaded that my client was emotionally disturbed when he acted as he did, trying to recover money he believed he had been entitled to. We could then look at a suspended sentence, perhaps some probation, and keep the whole thing off the front pages of the tabloids.”
Coombes and Boniface whispered to one another as if considering the offer, and Hickstead smiled. Boniface looked at them and spoke.
“We would have to consult with the two alleged victims, to ask them if they could accept these terms because, although it isn’t necessary, we don’t want any action taken against the police.”
“Unusual but entirely understandable,” Parsons replied reasonably.
“As a matter of fact, they are in the building at this very moment. Perhaps we could bring them in?”
“Absolutely not!” Parsons spluttered. “That is a disgraceful suggestion. You are suggesting exposing my client to his accusers, who will naturally assume his guilt!”
“Oh, quiet down, Alan,” Lord Hickstead said. “I think I’m man enough to face my accusers. I’ve been facing up to my opponents since I was twelve. I say let them in, and we can see what they have to say.” His smile was wider now.
Alan Parsons strongly advised his client against it, but he was silenced by His Lordship.
***
I had never before seen Lord Hickstead in person, and when I did it was not a pleasant experience. Despite his despicable actions, and the pain he had inflicted on everyone, he sat smirking beside his lawyer. Don Fisher was standing next to me, the very model of restraint. I knew that Don would happily have squeezed the life out of the peer, given the chance.
As rehearsed, the two policemen explained to us what a deal meant and how it would be final. They concluded by saying that they would proceed on all charges unless we said otherwise.
I was the first to speak, and although I was addressing the policemen I was looking straight into Hickstead’s eyes. The man was brimming with confidence.
“Inspector, I have listened carefully to what you have suggested, and it is my view that we should....” I hesitated. “We should proceed on all charges, and seek the maximum penalty the court could impose.”
Alan Parsons leaned over to Hickstead, whose face was now blank, and whispered none too quietly.
“Bloody hell, Arthur, I could see this coming a mile off. Why couldn’t you? Why on earth would they agree?”
Don Fisher stepped forward. Looking at Hickstead, he said, “Inspector, I agree with Mr Hammond. Criminals should have to face the full consequences of their actions, especially when they are scum eating bottom feeders.”
“Inspector, really!” Parsons protested. “Get these men out of the room at once.” We started to leave, and HIckstead stood up from his chair, veins bulging on his neck and forehead.
“You realise what this means,” he yelled angrily in our direction. We continued walking and closed the door behind us.
***
“What does it mean, Lord Hickstead?” Boniface asked. Parsons looked bemused, as if everyone in the room was in on a joke except him.
“Figure of speech, that’s all,” Hickstead replied in a surly tone.
“One of the reasons we had such a busy weekend is that Lavender Fisher and Delia Conrad, Mr Hammond’s girlfriend, were kidnapped on Saturday.” Boniface looked at Hickstead, who maintained his poker face.
“You can’t seriously be suggesting that my client is in any way involved in that kidnapping? It’s simply absurd!” He said the words, but Boniface could see fear in the lawyer’s eyes.
“We don’t make any accusations, Alan, but if you watch this perhaps you could tell me what we are meant to think.” He clicked the remote control and they all turned to watch the monitor.
A masked man appeared on the screen, threatening that the hostages would die unless an agreement was reached with Lord Hickstead by this evening. The camera then showed Lavender and Dee chained to the table. Boniface switched it off.
“My God!” Alan Parsons blurted out, but Hickstead remained resolute.
“I need some time with my client,” the lawyer said. “I want all cameras and sound off. Understood?”
“Of course,” Coombes agreed reasonably.
***
“Arthur, what have you got yourself involved in?” Parsons demanded, clearly flustered.
“One of my less straitlaced friends may have become a little, shall we say, overenthusiastic in an effort to protect me. But you heard the threat the same as I did; unless there is an agreement, the women die. I suggest we concentrate on reaching an agreement so that these young women can be returned safely to their families.” Lord Hickstead did not look at his lawyer once during the exchange.
“Arthur, I don’t see how we can expect an agreement when the people involved are insistent that you be prosecuted to the fullness of the law.”
This time Hickstead looked into the eyes of his lawyer as he spoke. There was menace in his voice, and his face was unreadable.
“Alan, that is a negotiating position. We hold fast and call their bluff. They will come around. We’ve only just started, and you want to throw the towel in already.”
“That video clip is extraordinarily prejudicial,” Parsons pointed out. “That could send you to prison for life if it was played to a jury.”
“It never will be, Alan, trust me. It will be part of the bargaining that will result in an agreement, and which will free the two women.”
“And if we don’t get an agreement, Arthur, what then?”
“Then I expect the women will die. That is what the video said. After all, I have no control over those men.”
Parsons stared at him wide eyed. “That is a blatant lie! How would they find out we’d got a deal, unless you tell them? You must be able to contact them.” The lawyer sat back, waiting for the peer to concede the point.
“At last, Alan, you’re earning your fee. You asked a question I hadn’t considered. I think I must say that I have been told to send an email to an anonymous email address. That sounds plausible. At least plausible enough to get across to those two morons that their loved ones might die just so they can have the satisfaction of seeing me being sent to an open prison for a couple of years. We’ve wasted enough time. Get them back in.”
Alan Parsons sighed. He was beginning to wonder whether absolutely everyone deserved the best defence they could get.