Tug Of Law (Bernadette Mackenna Cases Book 4)

by D. R. Bailey

  “We’re not ones for lunchtime drinking either, not in the ordinary way,” Bernadette admitted.

  “Ah, then I’m flattered you relaxed the rules,” he laughed.

  The waiter arrived and removed the plates, asked if they wanted the dessert menu. Bernadette said they may as well.

  “You asked me a question,” said Mason at length, “And I suppose I should answer it.”

  “I’d like it if you did.”

  “OK, well, the short answer is that we obviously think your man is guilty, and we want him to pay the price for it in the UK.”

  Bernadette considered this for a moment and decided to push a bit harder. “On the say so of one witness? Even I feel that’s a bit thin.”

  He smiled. “I can see why Shane is in awe of you, you’re very direct.”

  “It’s my job.”

  “Then you’ll know as well as I do, we want him back in the UK to prosecute him obviously. Plus we can’t question him about the trafficking until he’s in the UK and charged, for obvious reasons.”

  “You’re very candid.”

  “You asked, I felt you deserved an honest answer,” he said simply.

  “Even so, I can’t feel there isn’t more to it. You’ve offered this guy a plea bargain, come on, if he rats out someone else because he’ll be a useful lever into the gang.”

  “Well, as to that,” he said slightly taken aback with her blunt manner, “I couldn’t possibly comment.”

  “You are happy for my guy to take the fall even if he’s innocent or not, because your coppers over here want to nail the gang. This is their way in.” Bernadette cocked an eyebrow at him.

  “Shane was definitely right about you, and of course I can’t affirm or deny anything you say.” He had coloured up a little and seemed disconcerted.

  “It’s true though isn’t it?” she persisted with a smile playing around her lips.

  “Is this, also, on or off the record?” he said realising he was unable to avoid her penetrating style of questioning.

  “Whatever you say here is, of course, without prejudice,” she replied blandly.

  He thought for a moment, looking at the menu without seeing it.

  “It’s not always possible to do things the way you want to do them. Sometimes there are unpalatable things which are done for expediency.”

  “No doubt,” she said drily.

  He sighed. “I’m bloody glad I’m not facing you on the witness stand.”

  She laughed at this. “Choose a dessert if you want, we owe you one I feel.”

  He perused the menu and so did they. Bernadette opted for glazed lemon tart with mascarpone cream, Imogen a duo of chocolate mousse and sugar cranachan, and Mason spotted dick and custard. He confessed it was a favourite from his Harrow school days, and Bernadette was not surprised to hear he’d gone to a public school like that.

  “So, Shane is in awe of me, is he?” said Bernadette picking up on what he said earlier.

  “Does it surprise you?”

  “Frankly, yes, I must admit he came across as an arrogant prick when I first met him.”

  Mason laid back his head and laughed out loud.

  “Oh, he would love that, really he would. I can understand why you would think so, he’s certainly got that way about him. Underneath he’s quite a sweetie really.”

  Imogen just managed to suppress a snort at this. Mason looked at her keenly, but she pretended to cough instead.

  “So far he hasn’t shown his true colours then,” Bernadette said wryly.

  “Oh, you have to know him like I do, then you’d understand. He’s a complex character.”

  “I’m sure.”

  The dessert arrived and they also ordered coffee. As they ate, they moved onto less contentious topics. Bernadette was keen to steer the conversation away from Shane because of Imogen.

  “Is there anything else you want to ask me?” Mason asked once the dessert had been consumed. He flicked a glance at his watch, and Bernadette imagined he probably had somewhere else to be very shortly.

  “I don’t suppose you would consider simply withdrawing your case?”

  “I’m afraid not.” Mason shrugged. “Even if I wanted to, my hands are tied you see. We all serve a higher master.”

  “I don’t,” Bernadette replied with a smile sipping her coffee.

  “Your client surely is your master, in a way, though aren’t they?”

  “I don’t regard them that way no. I support their cause, I’m their champion.”

  “It’s a better way of looking at it I suppose.” He drained his cup. “I’m afraid I’ve got to go, as enjoyable as your company is, but I’ve another meeting.”

  “I appreciate you taking the time to come.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to help. Thank you for lunch, I enjoyed it very much.”

  “You are welcome.”

  He stood up to go. Bernadette and Imogen did too.

  “Thanks for your time,” she said shaking his hand.

  “I guess I’ll see you in court.”

  “You will.”

  Imogen said goodbye, and he nodded, turned on his heel and left. They watched him go and sat down again.

  “Another coffee?” said Bernadette.

  “Sure, why not.”

  Imogen signalled the waiter who came over and took their order.

  “I’m amazed the way you kept your cool with him. He struck me as a fucking pompous prick,” Imogen said once the waiter had gone.

  “When you are fraternising with the enemy it’s essential to keep a level head.”

  “I’m going to have to learn how to do that.”

  “Your fiery temper, Imogen, you’ll have to learn to curb it and you will.” Bernadette smiled.

  “The penalty of being a redhead.”

  “Indeed, but I’m sure, as D’Arcy will testify a redhead has other merits, passion, for example.”

  “God yes, I’m horny as fuck.”

  “Yes, that too.”

  “Do you think we accomplished anything?” Imogen wondered, it seemed to her as if they’d not really managed to achieve much.

  “We did, of course. We know why they are doing it. He didn’t deny it. So, we know where we stand. Callum is a scapegoat as much as anything.”

  “Couldn’t we use it?”

  Bernadette shook her head. “Not exactly as such, we can’t put it to the judge, at least not in so many words. The conversation we had was strictly between us, for the most part. That’s how it is, and it’s why I don’t really like doing them. In this case, it was necessary.”

  “I do have a lot to learn.” Imogen sighed.

  “Learn to be cordial and friendly in these situations, darling. It will stand you in good stead.”

  “I hope I can.” This was said with feeling. Imogen had not quite got the hang of bridling her temper on occasions.

  “You can, and you will, it comes with time and maturity.”

  “Are you saying I’m not mature?”

  “No, darling, I mean as you get older and you have more experience, you’ll deal with it better. The job of a barrister isn’t always just in the courtroom, as you know.”

  “I know,” said Imogen with a sigh, “Sometimes I think there’s also so much I don’t know.”

  “Stop, for goodness’ sake, darling. You are doing so well. I’ve been doing this for years. I can teach you to avoid my mistakes, so you don’t need to make them.”

  Imogen laughed. “You are so patient with me. I don’t know how you manage it.”

  “Because I love you to bits. Now,” said Bernadette, as the second lot of coffee arrived, “You are going to tell me the truth about Shane.”

  “Oh shit, I thought you had forgotten.” Imogen shot her a stricken look.

  “No, because you’ve obviously got something going on, darling, and I want you to tell me what it is.”

  “Fuck,” said I
mogen and took refuge in her coffee.

  “Is it so bad?”

  Imogen nodded.

  “Have you been sleeping with him?” Bernadette said smoothly.

  “What? No! Nothing like that! For fuck’s sake, Bernadette,” said Imogen nearly spitting out her drink.

  “It’s called the murder technique,” Bernadette laughed, “You ask someone something worse than what you think they’ve done, and then they tell you the truth…”

  “Because what they’ve done isn’t as bad, you’ve told me this before,” Imogen finished it for her.

  “You got it, so what is it?”

  “OK. I still… I still fancy him.”

  “OK.” Bernadette raised her eyebrow.

  “Don’t do that to me, it makes me feel like a naughty child.”

  “That’s not all is it, though.”

  “Fuck no, I fantasise about him fucking me with his great big schlong and then I see him. I get angry because it brings up those… feelings…” Imogen trailed off.

  “Feelings which you want to consummate?”

  “Shit you’re hard, you are so fucking hard.” Imogen’s eyes were suddenly wet.

  “I’m not, darling, but you need to face it, or you never will,” Bernadette said implacably.

  “Well no, I don’t want to really consummate it because I love D’Arcy and it could never be. It would never work with me and Shane, even if I wanted to. I don’t even love him. It’s just my… fucking vagina which lets me down.” Suddenly Imogen let out a big sigh, somehow admitting it to herself she felt somehow relieved.

  “Better?”

  “Yes.” Imogen nodded. “Yes, how did you know?”

  “I learned it from the best, from you.” Bernadette smiled.

  “Well fuck me and my big mouth,” Imogen laughed.

  “It wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  “No, but I feel bad because I feel as if I have betrayed D’Arcy even if it’s in my head.”

  “You are silly, but I understand.”

  “I may have to tell her.”

  “Oh?” Bernadette wondered if this was wise, but she didn’t say anything to her.

  “So there are no secrets between us.”

  “It’s your choice of course.” Bernadette sipped her drink for a moment, “And is that everything?”

  Imogen seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if considering something further.

  “Yes. That’s all.”

  Evidently, there wasn’t anything else. Bernadette was quite relieved.

  “OK. So, look, we all can have, let’s say momentary feelings of physical attraction, but it’s what we do with them which counts. If you are in a loving and committed relationship, then you don’t do anything.”

  “Even you fancy other people?” Imogen was slightly incredulous.

  “Yes, even me, I’m not a saint. But it doesn’t go past that. The chemical physical thing, whatever it is, has nothing to compare to the spiritual and the physical love I have for Eve.”

  “It makes me feel better.”

  “That I might find other women attractive?”

  “Yes.”

  “OK, well, next time I’ll point them out to you. Shall I?” Bernadette’s eyes twinkled.

  “Oh you! You always take it to the next level.”

  Bernadette laughed and sipped her drink.

  “I’m glad I’m not like Mason,” Imogen said with feeling.

  “What? A person who only cares about money?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sure he cares about his job too, but it’s certainly not his main motivation.”

  “There needs to be more for me. Much more.”

  “And there is so much more, my sweet, and that’s why you’re a partner.”

  “Thank you. Anyway, isn’t it time for us to get going? We are due at the Dorchester soon,” said Imogen changing the subject.

  “Yes, of course. If you are sure there is nothing else you want to tell me?” Bernadette wanted to be doubly certain.

  “Well, there is my big fantasy about you putting me over your knee and spanking me and using the very sexy assertive voice of yours but I didn’t think you’d want to know about that…” Imogen’s eyes were dancing.

  “Oh stop it!” Bernadette giggled, “What are you like?”

  “A girl can dream…”

  “You are completely incorrigible.”

  “You’re easy to tease.”

  “Yes, well.” Bernadette signalled for the bill and got her credit card out to pay.

  “Oh God, the food was to die for though, wasn’t it?” Imogen said as the waiter brought the bill and took Bernadette’s card.

  “Yes, it really was.”

  “I would certainly come here again.”

  “With D’Arcy, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of chances to do so.”

  ✽✽✽

  The Dorchester sits on Park Lane and is accessed from Deanery Street. It’s a seven story Art Deco building with ornate balcony railings. The Dorchester is a luxury hotel and afternoon tea is served in the Promenade. A long narrow room with marbled columns, and plush wood upholstered chairs, and benches. There are palms in dark polished wooden planters and floral arrangements of white roses in large brass urns. The curtains are greens and golds, as is the upholstery of the furniture.

  Bernadette and Imogen strolled into the tea rooms. D’Arcy was waving at them and yelling, “Yoo-hoo,” rather loudly. They walked along the highly polished marble floor with inlaid patterns, to a sofa and chairs on two sides of a table which was covered with a pristine white tablecloth.

  “Oh, darlings, we’ve been waiting for ages.” D’Arcy pouted. “I thought you were never coming!”

  “Sorry, beautiful.” Imogen gave her a kiss. “We’ve not long finished lunch, and then we had to get here and…”

  “It’s OK, I’m so happy you are finally here, what do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful, certainly very grand,” said Imogen looking around.

  “Fabulous,” said Bernadette.

  “Wait until you see the tea!” D’Arcy told them, “I’ve ordered it already and coffee for you two.”

  “Thanks, honey,” said Bernadette, “Where’s Eve?”

  Eve who had not been in evidence, appeared walking towards them.

  “Oh, I knew if I went to the ladies, I’d miss you,” said Eve hurrying over to embrace Bernadette.

  “My darling, I’m glad to see you.”

  “Not half as glad as I am to see you! And oh my God, you should see the ladies’ room, talk about posh.”

  “Anyway, let’s sit down, you can tell us about your morning,” Bernadette said pulling her into the seat next to her.

  “Well, we found this lovely little Lebanese restaurant… up the Edgeware road,” Eve began.

  Tea arrived on stacked white plates, and a long white dish containing finger sandwiches without any crusts garnished with flowers and greenery. There was an array of little fancy cakes, plus scones and butter with jam. Tea was served in a pot along with milk and hot water. There was a pot of coffee too.

  “Wow,” said Imogen, “This looks absolutely scrumptious.”

  “Isn’t it?” said D’Arcy delighted, “Come on, dig in girls.”

  They consumed the sandwiches and cakes, accompanied by tea and coffee. There was plenty to go around.

  “How’s the food?” D’Arcy wanted to know.

  “Delicious, the sandwiches and cakes are amazing,” said Bernadette.

  “I second that,” said Eve.

  “How was your lunch?” D’Arcy wanted to know once they had eaten most of the repast and were beginning to feel quite full.

  “Oh, you know, he was one of those toff barristers who just care about money,” said Imogen.

  “Oh, how awful.”

  “So you didn’t get anything out of him?” Eve asked Bernadette.

  “We know th
ey are using Callum to get at the gang, and they don’t care if he’s innocent or guilty. They are doing a deal with their witness and they need a head on a pike.”

  “Oh, how terrible, what is wrong with these people!” said D’Arcy crossly.

  “They’ve got no fucking ethics,” said Imogen wryly.

  “Well, that’s too bad of them.”

  “We know where they are coming from, it helps. We also know it’s not so much about Callum which gives us an edge,” Bernadette added.

  “But you said you couldn’t use it,” Imogen said surprised.

  “There are ways and ways, I can’t use it exactly overtly, but I may be able to use it a little more subtly.” Bernadette winked.

  “What are you planning?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but it will come to me.”

  “He sounds like an odious prick,” said D’Arcy with feeling, “He’s just the sort of arsehole I’ve had to deal with in the film business but worse.”

  Just then Imogen’s phone rang, she answered it, it was Damsa. She spoke briefly and disconnected.

  “Well?” said Bernadette.

  “Anh says she will sign the affidavit, we will meet her at Damsa’s offices in the morning.”

  “Great news.”

  “Yay, so it means I’ve got you for the rest of the evening,” said D’Arcy happily.

  “And I’ve got you,” said Eve to Bernadette.

  “What should we do? Go out and see the sights or go to a show? What do you want to do?” Bernadette said to Eve.

  “Oh, I don’t know. We’ve been out a lot already,” Eve said with a sigh.

  “I know but this is London, shouldn’t we be going out on the town?”

  “I just want to be with you, go for a swim, have a nice meal, maybe watch some TV and go to bed,” Eve said catching Bernadette’s hand and holding it fast.

  “Then if it’s what you want, that’s what we will do.”

  She reflected Eve was quite the homebody after all. London was great but it also made one set expectations of going here there and everywhere which was also quite exhausting.

  “Sounds like a great idea,” said D’Arcy, “We could eat in one of the restaurants downstairs at the hotel.”