Читать книгу Kawanga - Jack Halliday - Страница 14

CHAPTER TEN

Conley poured himself another glass of apricot sherry. He let the glass just gently touch his lips while he inhaled the fruity aroma. The sun was just setting outside his Yorkshire home. He slid his chair back from his desk, swiveling it around to face the window. He licked his lips and surveyed the lush green acreage belonging to his mansion. Everything could remain intact, everything. His standing, his influence, his power, his wealth; he could keep it all. Her Majesty’s public servant had hired an efficient “eraser” to remove even the memory of this misfortune. As he mused along these lines, Anderson, his butler, entered the office. “Any word from Bonnington, Sir?” he asked.

Conley swiveled his chair back to his desk, ran his fingers back and forth against the cool leather chair arm as he faced Anderson. “Not yet, but I’m satisfied he has the situation well in hand. I’m quite sure the document will be returned by the end of the month...perhaps sooner. Actually, I believe Mr. Bonnington has all the makings of quite an effective ‘cleaner.’”

Anderson countered, “And the American woman?”

Conley inspected his study with a regal look. He sat here as king, never mind that “technical Sovereign’s” home in London. He replied, “You’ve been with me for a long time. My ‘relationship’ with Rita is a memory...a slight libidinous excess.”

Anderson blushed, replying, “Yes, Sir. I only meant....”

“Meant what?” Conley interrupted. That her majesty would somehow discover and discipline me?”

Anderson replied, “I meant no impertinence, Sir.”

Conley steepled his fingers to his lips and turned his back on the butler to face the window, speaking with his back to him. “I’m more concerned with my wife’s whereabouts. Another one of Camille’s shenanigans might prove to be a political embarrassment to me.”

“I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon.”

Conley swiveled his chair back to face him. “Yes, I’m certain I will. She’s probably tied up with another good looking low-life. No matter; when the excitement runs down, she’ll do what she’s always done: return to ‘Daddy’.”

Anderson replied, reassuringly, “I have no doubt, Sir.”

“Then, that will be all for now.”

Anderson bowed as he replied, “As you wish.”

With that, the burly sovereign turned again to face the window.