“Listen to me! I saw the names on that consortium list. Not just French names, German names, British names. They want that part of it silenced. You get on that boat, you don’t get off.” He tugged at her jacket.
“What are you doing?” She screamed. His hands closed on the papers and he pulled them out.
“I’m taking these and saving your life.” He ripped the gun from her hand and tossed it into the river. “Now get up and run and don’t get on that boat!” He hauled her upright, and gave her a push. He could see the launch dimly through the rain now. She hesitated, looked at the launch then looked at Nick. “Go!” he shouted. She turned and ran, swallowed up by the inky blackness of the night.
“I can’t say I’m pleased Nick.” Jessop glared at Nick. They were sat in the same booth they’d been in a few days earlier at the back of The Fitzroy.
Nick shrugged, took a slug of his whisky and tossed a manila envelope over the table. ‘Here are the plans, and an interesting list of names involved in a consortium I'm sure you already know all about."
Jessop picked up the envelope gingerly, squinted through the flap at the contents with a frown, then folded it and pushed it into his jacket.
“Well, you came through I suppose. But I also said no deaths. Hell of a mess.” Jessop shook his head.
“Someone had got Gallais, they tried to kill me. That was the only death I was responsible for.”
“I’m not fussed about him,” Jessop said in exasperation.
“No. You never are.”
“Look, the French are hopping mad, even with the plans it doesn’t look good. Couldn’t you have done it quietly?”
“I tried.”
Jessop was silent for a moment. He looked at Nick sternly.
“Speaking of them, Alex never made her final meet. Do you know what happened to her?”
“No. I can guess what might have happened to her if she’d made that meeting.”
“Just how much do you know?” Jessop asked quietly.
“Von Statz’s name was on that list. He was in on the plot. She did what she had to. I know enough, but not enough for you to kill me. I’ll settle for a favour.”
“I don’t think you’re in a position to ask for anything.”
“Oh, but I think I am. I saw the names on the consortium list. I know who you’re protecting. No wonder you didn’t want it to be an official job.”
Jessop gave a wry smile, “Then maybe you do know enough for me to want you silenced.”
“Maybe. But that’s not going to happen to me or to Alex.”
“What did happen to Alex?” Jessop asked.
“I think she decided she’d take her chances on her own until this blew over. That’s what I need your help with.”
“So she doesn’t know who’s on the consortium list? Other than the plotters and Von Statz?” Jessop leaned in keenly.
“No.” Nick lied firmly.
“Well, that certainly changes things then.”
“Good. I hope we understand each other on that point.”
“We do, but what are we to do about you?”
“Well, you can pay me for a start.”
Jessop laughed, and tossed an envelope across the table. “Nick, I like you.”
“You also know I can keep a secret. I’ve got more than a few.”
Jessop nodded and gave a sigh. “What’s one more?”
“Oh and just in case, if anything should happen to me, it would be a shame if all those documents became public.”
Jessop shook his head. “You play a dangerous game.”
“It’s the only one I know.”
“Okay Nick. We’ll be watching though.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Jessop levered himself away from the table, “Until we meet again.”
Nick raised his glass, “Cheers.”
He watched Jessop leave the pub. A figure peeled from the booth behind Nick’s and sat opposite him where Jessop had been.
“You heard that?” Nick asked.
“Yes. Thanks Nick, I owe you.” Alex smiled and took his hand across the table, “Perhaps I could stick around a bit longer.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Nick replied. He saw the look of hurt in her eyes and looked away.
“Nick, look, we…”
“Alex, we talked this through already. You need to go.”
She hung her head. “Okay.” She stood up. “So long Nick.” She bent over the table and kissed him gently on the cheek, lingering for a moment. Then she turned and walked stiffly away without looking back.
“So long,” Nick murmured.
He watched her go then signalled to the barman for another Scotch.
Outside London went about its business and Nick already had another job lined up. The names on the list hadn't surprised him, except for one. He needed to pay an old friend a visit. Sooner or later everyone had to settle up their moral account in life. He looked at the fading sun slanting through the grimy pane of the window, a fleeting flicker of something that looked like anguish flitting across his face before he tipped the glass to his mouth. Soon he'd be back out there, doing the dirtiest business of all…