Kane & Abel (1979) (23 page)

‘But I don’t want to go to England or America. I am Polish.’

‘You will always be Polish, Wladek - no one can take that away from you, wherever you decide to settle. But you must be realistic about your future while you’re still so young.’

Wladek lowered his head in despair. Had he gone through all this only to be told he could never return to his homeland, never see his castle again? He fought back the tears.

The Consul put his arm around the boy’s shoulders. ‘Never forget that you are one of the lucky ones who escaped and came out alive. You only have to remember your loyal friend Dr Dubien to be aware of what your life might have been like.’

Wladek didn’t speak.

‘Now you must put all thoughts of the past behind you and think only of the future, Wladek. Perhaps in your lifetime you will see Poland rise again, which is more than I dare to hope for.’

A
LAN
L
LOYD
arrived at the bank on Monday morning with a little more to do than he had anticipated before his meeting with William. He immediately put five departmental managers to work on checking the accuracy of William’s allegations. He feared he already knew what their enquiries would reveal, and because of Anne’s relationship with the bank, he made sure that no department was aware of what the others were up to. His instructions to each manager were clear: all reports were to be strictly confidential, and for the chairman’s eyes only.

By Wednesday, he had five preliminary reports on his desk. They all seemed to confirm William’s judgement, although each manager had asked for more time to verify some details. Alan decided against discussing the matter with Anne until he had more concrete evidence to go on. The best he felt he could do for the time being was to take advantage of a buffet supper the Osbornes were giving on Friday evening, when he could advise Anne against taking any immediate decision on the loan.

When Alan arrived at Anne’s home - he could never think of it as Osborne’s - he was shocked to see how tired and pale she looked, which made him decide to soften his approach even more. He finally managed to catch her alone, but they only had a few moments together. If only she were not having a baby just at the time all this was going on, he thought.

Anne smiled at him. ‘How kind of you to come, Alan, when you must be so busy at the bank.’

‘I couldn’t afford to miss one of your parties, my dear. They’re still the most sought-after invitation in Boston.’

She smiled. ‘I wonder if you ever say the wrong thing.’

‘All too frequently. Anne, have you had time to give any more thought to the matter we discussed last week?’

‘No, I am afraid I haven’t. I’ve been up to my ears preparing for this evening, Alan. How did Henry’s accounts look?’

‘Fine, but we only have one year’s figures to go on, so I think we ought to bring in our own accountants to double-check them over. It’s standard banking policy to do that with any company that’s been operating for less than three years. I’m sure Henry would understand our position.’

‘Anne, darling, lovely party,’ interrupted a loud voice over Alan’s shoulder. He did not recognize the face; presumably one of Henry’s political friends. ‘How’s the little mother-to-be?’ continued the effusive voice.

Alan slipped away, hoping he had bought a little time for the bank. There were a lot of local politicians from City Hall at the party, and even a couple of congressmen, which made him wonder if William would turn out to be wrong about the hospital contract. Not that the bank intended to investigate that: after all, the official announcement from City Hall was due in a week’s time. He picked up his black overcoat from the cloakroom and slipped out.

‘If I can just hold on until this time next week,’ he said out loud as he walked back down Chestnut Street to his own house.

During the party, Anne found herself watching Henry whenever he was near Millie Preston. There was certainly no outward sign of anything between them; in fact, Henry spent far more time with John Preston. Anne began to wonder if she had misjudged her husband, and thought about cancelling her appointment with Glen Ricardo. The party finally came to an end two hours later than Anne had anticipated; she only hoped it meant that the guests had all enjoyed themselves and Henry would benefit.

‘Great party, Anne, thanks for inviting us.’ It was the loud voice again, the last person to leave. Anne couldn’t remember his name - something to do with City Hall. He disappeared down the drive.

Anne climbed the stairs slowly and started to undo her dress even before she had reached the bedroom, promising herself that she wouldn’t give any more parties before the baby was due in ten weeks’ time.

Henry joined her a moment later. ‘Did you get a chance to have a word with Alan, darling?’ he asked, trying to sound casual.

‘Yes, I did,’ replied Anne. ‘He said your books look fine, but as the company can only produce one year’s figures, the bank’s accountants have to double-check. Apparently that’s standard banking policy.’

‘Standard banking policy be damned. Can’t you feel William’s presence behind all this? He’s trying to hold up the loan, Anne.’

‘How can you say that? Alan didn’t even mention William.’

‘Didn’t he?’ said Henry, his voice rising. ‘So he didn’t bother to tell you that William had lunch with him on Sunday, and they played a round of golf at his club?’

‘What?’ said Anne. ‘I don’t believe it. William would never come to Boston without seeing me. You must be mistaken, Henry.’

‘My dear, half your set was there, and I can’t imagine that William travelled fifty miles just to play a round of golf with Alan Lloyd. Some time, Anne - and very soon - you’re going to have to decide whether you trust William more than your husband. Don’t you understand that I must have the money by next Wednesday, because if I can’t show City Hall I’m good for that amount, I’ll be disqualified. Disqualified because a schoolboy doesn’t approve of your being married to someone other than his father. Please, Anne, you must call Alan tomorrow and tell him to transfer the money.’

His insistent voice boomed in Anne’s head, making her feel faint and dizzy.

‘No, not tomorrow, Henry. Can it wait until Monday?’

Henry smiled and strolled over to join her as she stood naked, looking at herself in the mirror. He ran his hand over her bulging stomach. ‘I just want this little fellow to be given the same opportunities as William.’

The following morning Anne told herself a hundred times that she would not go to see Glen Ricardo, but just before noon she found herself flagging down a cab. Twenty minutes later she was climbing the creaky wooden stairs, apprehensive of what she was about to learn. She hesitated before knocking on the door and even thought about turning back.

‘Come in.’

She opened the door.

‘Ah, Mrs Osborne, how nice to see you again. Do have a seat.’

Anne remained standing.

‘The news, I’m afraid, is not good,’ said Ricardo, pushing his hand through his long, dark hair.

Anne’s heart sank, and she collapsed into the nearest chair.

‘Mr Osborne has not been seen with Mrs Preston, or any other woman, during the past week.’

‘But you said the news wasn’t good,’ said Anne.

‘Of course, Mrs Osborne. I assumed you were looking for grounds for divorce. Angry wives don’t normally come to me hoping I’ll prove their husbands are faithful.’

‘No, no,’ said Anne, with relief. ‘It’s the best piece of news I’ve had in weeks.’

‘Oh, that’s good,’ said Ricardo, slightly taken aback. ‘Then let’s hope the second week also reveals nothing.’

‘You can stop your investigation now, Mr Ricardo. I’m confident you won’t find anything of any consequence next week.’

‘I don’t think that would be wise, Mrs Osborne. To make a final judgement on only one week’s observation would, in my experience, be premature to say the least.’

All right, if you think it will prove the point, but I’m still confident you won’t uncover anything new.’

‘In any case,’ continued Ricardo, puffing away at his cigar, which looked bigger, and smelled better, to Anne than the one he had smoked at their previous meeting, ‘you’ve already paid for the two weeks.’

‘What about the letters?’ asked Anne. ‘I suppose they must have come from someone jealous of my husband’s achievements.’

‘Well, as I pointed out to you when we last met, Mrs Osborne, tracing the sender of anonymous letters is never easy. However, I have been able to locate the shop where the stationery was purchased, as the brand is fairly unusual. But for the moment I have nothing further to report on that front. Again, I may have a lead for you next week. Have you had any more letters?’

‘No, I haven’t.’

‘Good. Then it all seems to be working out for the best. Let’s hope, for your sake, that the next meeting will be our last.’

‘Yes,’ said Anne happily, ‘let’s hope so. Can I settle your expenses next week?’

‘Of course, of course.’

Anne had nearly forgotten the phrase, but this time it only made her laugh. She agreed to see Ricardo for what she felt certain would be their last meeting, on Thursday. As she was being driven home Anne decided that Henry must be given the $500,000 and the chance to prove William and Alan wrong. She still hadn’t recovered from the discovery that William had come to Boston without letting her know. She felt Henry had every right to feel that her son was trying to work behind their backs.

Henry was delighted when Anne told him over supper of her decision on the loan, and he produced the legal documents for her signature the following morning. Anne couldn’t help thinking that he must have had them prepared for some time, especially as Millie Preston had already signed. Or was she being overly suspicious again? She dismissed the idea and added her signature.

She was fully prepared for Alan Lloyd when he telephoned on Monday morning.

Anne, why don’t we just hold things up until Thursday. Then, at least, we’ll know who’s been awarded the hospital contract.’

‘No, Alan, I’ve made up my mind. Henry needs the money now. He has to prove to City Hall that he’s financially capable of fulfilling the contract, and you already have the signatures of two trustees, so the decision is not yours to make.’

‘The bank could always guarantee Henry’s position without actually passing over the money,’ said Alan. ‘I’m sure City Hall would find that acceptable. In any case, I still haven’t had enough time to check over his company’s accounts.’