The Second Son Read online

  “That fast? Was not expecting that,” replied Grace.

  “I think we will both feel better once you are settled,” said Grenville.

  Grace understood the use of the “we” that Grenville used. Smiling, Grace said, “But what about Durant Street?”

  “Leave it all to me Grace, I will sort it all out,” said a smiling Grenville.

  “Thank you my dear,” said a smiling Grace.

  “As the place is fully furnished, and you will only need personal items and your treasured possessions from your old house, do you want to come and spend the weekend at Hampton hall with us?” asked Sofia.

  “Capital idea,” said a smiling Grenville.

  “I don’t want to impose, plus I do not have anything for a weekend visit to a posh country house,” said Grace, laughing.

  “Do not worry, Grace, leave it all to us,” said Grenville.

  “A new beginning demands new things,” said Sofia. “Plus, I would love an excuse for a good shopping trip in London,” said Sofia, smiling.

  “Sounds like a good plan,” said Grace, which made Grenville and Sofia laugh.

  Grenville got Newton to drop him off in the centre of London, and he told Sofia and Grace he would meet them back at Hampton Hall that evening, as he had a few errands to run. Grenville watched the Rolls pull off towards Oxford Street, and smiled. Mother and Grace were becoming firm friends, which made him feel better, knowing Grace was becoming part of the family, which of course would please Tom, which he would convey in his next email. Grenville had agreed to meet Carole and Hugo at Bombard House, so hailing a cab he proceeded to tell the driver his destination. Using his pass to open the front door and entering the lobby of Bombard House always made Grenville smile; his vision was coming together. He had to admit Sara had a flair for interior designing. The place looked professional but comfortable, and the S&T Imports sign that Sara had made for the reception was impressive and let you know whose building you were entering.

  Smiling to the two receptionists as he passed, Grenville took the lift to the fifth floor. As he passed his PA, she said, “Chairman, Mr Thorpe and Miss Burke are inside waiting for you.”

  “Thank you, Michelle,” said Grenville as he entered his office.

  “Hugo, Carole, how are you both?” said a smiling Grenville.

  Both hugged Grenville and said, “Busy, but well,” which made them all laugh.

  “Sorry it’s just us three and not the full team but Jonathan is at the Old Bailey representing some innocent party,” which made them all laugh again.

  “And Sara?” asked a smiling Carole.

  “Afraid doing some Wedding Shopping with her mother.”

  “Lucky her,” said Hugo.

  “Never had you down for a shopaholic,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “Never get the time nowadays if I wanted to,” replied Hugo, smiling.

  “Stop it Hugo, you get the weekends off,” said Carole, winking at Grenville, which made Hugo go red.

  “Looks like work is a rest, old man,” said Grenville, which made them all laugh again. “Before we begin, can Sara and I expect you for the weekend at Hampton Hall?”

  “Absolutely, old bean,” said Hugo, speaking for both.

  “Mother has invited Tom’s mother Grace for the weekend, so should be a fun weekend.”

  “Excellent, cannot wait to meet Tom’s mother Grace,” replied Carole, smiling. Hugo nodded in agreement.

  “Right, down to business,” said Grenville.

  “Before we start,” said Carole, “follow me.” Grenville looked at Hugo, who shrugged, but both followed Carole who led them both to conference room three. Once in conference room three, Carole went to a newly installed wall panel and pressed a green button. A whirring noise was followed by part of the ceiling opening and a glass cube ascended, which eventually joined another cube emerging from the floor. Once both parts met, they merged into one solid glass cube.

  Carole smiled at Grenville and Hugo, who both looked shocked. Smiling, Carole waved for them both to follow her. The glass cube had fitted neatly over the small conference table and chairs.

  Once Carole, Grenville and Hugo had stepped into the cube, Carole pressed a button, and the door was merged into the glass cube, with a hydraulic hiss.

  “Impressive,” said Grenville.

  “An evil requirement, currently.” Carole went on, “State of the art soundproof room both ways, with air temperature monitors and enough oxygen for ten hours of use, totally secure.”

  “Are you not worrying about being trapped in here if you forget the time?” asked Hugo, looking worried.

  Carole laughed. “Not at all, the room also monitors everyone in the room’s vital body functions, and if any one present shows signs of stress the room will automatically unseal.

  “Look,” said Carole, and she showed Hugo a head up display on the wall of the cube, monitoring all three of them, their vital stats, plus the room temperature and the amount of air remaining, and a countdown clock to unseal.

  Once again, Grenville said, “Very impressive, Carole, well done.”

  Grenville, Hugo and Carole sat at the conference table. “Now we can discuss anything we like and no one can eavesdrop on our conversations.”

  “I like it,” said Grenville.

  “Let’s keep this to the few,” said Hugo.

  “Agreed,” said Grenville.

  “I can now confirm our IT operation is up and running,” said Carole. “We can at present monitor all networks worldwide overtly or covertly, depending on what information we need.”

  “And are your staff reliable?” asked Grenville.

  Carole smiled. “Oh yes, I have recruited some pretty savvy people, who love to poke about other networks. I trust them completely, and can honestly say, they are looking forward to getting their teeth into our system and seeing what we can do also running an import/export business with no questions asked, sometimes below the radar, which they think is cool.”

  “Well done Carole, I am impressed,” said a smiling Grenville. Turning to Hugo, Grenville said, “So Hugo, how is business?”

  “Grenville, I was surprised at how much business we are generating, from small contracts to large ones. At this rate, it is going to be cheaper to purchase our own air cargo company.”

  “Well, if that is your recommendation, my dear chap, then put a presentation together for the next board meeting.”

  Hugo nodded and said, “Excellent.”

  “I want you to purchase some real estate, Hugo,” said Grenville.

  “What you after, Grenville?”

  “I want you to purchase three apartments for S&T Imports use,” said Grenville.

  “And of course, they need to be off the books,” replied Hugo, smiling.

  “I do believe you are catching on, old bean,” replied Grenville, which made them all laugh. “Anything else?” asked Grenville. Both Carole and Hugo shook their heads in unison. “Good, see you at the weekend,” said Grenville, standing up. “Now, how in the hell do I get out of this bubble?” which made Carole but not Hugo laugh.

  Carole went and pressed a red button on the panel and smiled at Hugo and Grenville. The glass door opened then, and after a hydraulic hiss the glass ceiling and glass floor returned to their hidden positions, and conference room three retuned to its normal state. Opening the conference room door, Grenville said, “Most impressive, Carole,” and he went back towards his office, laughing.

  The weekend was one of the best in years that James and Sofia could remember having. They were sitting alone in the reading room. “Grace is a live wire,” said James, laughing.

  “She definitely is that,” replied Sofia, laughing as well.

  “She certainly had a packed life,” James said.

  “I admire her, she certainly has many amusing stories about being a nurse, plus she still possesses a positive attitude,” said Sofia.

  “Our Grenville and Sara are taken by her,” said James, smiling.

/>   “I think Grace is one of those people who possess that rare ability to put people at ease,” replied Sofia.

  Just then Grace entered the room. “Sorry, am I disturbing you?” said Grace.

  “Not at all, please come sit down,” said James, standing up.

  “Here, come sit next to me, Grace,” said a smiling Sofia.

  “Thank you, most kind. The youngsters have gone for walk with the dogs around the estate,” said Grace, smiling and sitting down, “and my long walk days are over. You have a lovely house, James,” said Grace.

  “Thank you, Grace, it’s been in the family for generations.”

  “I had a personal tour by Preston, your butler, most impressive,” said Grace.

  Sofia leant in and whispered, “To tell you the truth, there are some parts I rarely visit,” which made Grace laugh.

  “I can imagine, my dear,” replied Grace.

  “You enjoying your stay?” asked James.

  “It’s lovely, not used to being so pampered and treated so well,” said Grace, smiling.

  “Have you lived long where you are now?” asked Sofia.

  “Since I was married,” replied Grace.

  “A long time then,” said James, laughing.

  “Yes, although the German Air Force tried to bomb me out during an air raid,” said Grace in a soft voice. Sofia saw the tears well up in Grace’s eyes.

  Placing her hand on Grace’s, Sofia said, “Please, if it’s too painful.”

  Grace tapped Sofia’s hand and, smiling, said, “No Sofia, it’s OK, I think sometimes it is good to remember what makes you stronger.” Both James and Sofia nodded in agreement. Grace went on to explain the air raid, losing her mother-in-law and the baby in one horrific night, then she went on to tell them of Tom’s death. After she had finished there was total silence; the only noise was the ticking of the large grandfather clock in the corner.

  Sofia leaned over and hugged Grace and softly said, “I don’t know how you endure after so much pain.”

  Grace replied, “It was war time, what else were we supposed to do? Time is a great healer.”

  “You are a remarkable lady, Grace,” said James.

  “Thank you, James, so nice of you to say,” replied Grace, smiling, “but you two have had your own tragedy.”

  “Yes, our son Stephan,” said Sofia.

  “But you raised a lovely compassionate young man in Grenville,” said Grace.

  “He is special,” said Sofia.

  “And changed since he met your Tom,” added James.

  “Tom has that effect,” said Grace.

  “Well, we are grateful that he did,” said Sofia, smiling.

  “It is strange how opposites can attract and become intertwined,” said Grace.

  “Absolutely,” said James, smiling.

  “We are both proud of our sons,” said Sofia.

  Grace took her hand and said, “Strange how life can take us down new paths.”

  A few days later Dexter-Smith was still in a foul mood after the board meeting; annoyed with himself, more for letting the Hampton boy outmanoeuvre him in the board meeting. It had taken all his composure not to let his guard slip, but he was surprised Young Hampton had agreed to allow him to continue until the next board meeting. He smiled; he would not have been so magnanimous if he was in his position. Picking up his phone, he said, “Have my car brought round to the front,” before replacing the receiver. Putting on his overcoat and picking up his brief case Dexter thought he need a distraction to take his mind off the current problem before returning home. He would visit his private club for a little pleasure; Mrs Han never failed to make sure his every pleasure was fulfilled. Last time she told him she had some new girls coming who might enjoy the same perverse pleasures as he did. This made him smile and forget all about young Hampton. Passing his secretary, he did not stop but said, “I won’t be back today.”

  As he left, his secretary said once the door was closed, “Good riddance, you, ignorant wanker.”

  Dexter’s car was waiting and the chauffeur had the door open. Not even bothering to look or speak to his driver, he climbed into the back seat of his Rolls Royce. As the driver got in and started the car, Dexter said, “My club,” before settling back and closing his eyes.

  He quickly opened his eyes when he realised the car had turned left instead of right. Pressing the intercom button, he said, “You bloody idiot, you’ve gone the wrong way, I said my club,” but the car just speeded up. “You listening to me?” said Dexter. Thinking the intercom could be on the blink, he leaned across and said, “Norton, you listening to me?”

  The car suddenly stopped and Dexter was thrown back on his seat. Dexter was furious and was just about to give Norton the bollocking of his life when both back doors opened and two men climbed in and sat opposite him. Dexter looked shocked. Both men closed the doors and the car moved off again. The whole incident had taken less than thirty seconds and to any passing stranger they would not have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

  Looking scared, Dexter said, “Who the hell are you and what do you want, do you know who I am?”

  The man sitting opposite said, “Of course we know who you are, Mr Dexter Simon-Smyth, that’s why we are here.”

  “What do you want?” said Dexter, trying to make his voice sound normal.

  “A mutual friend of the Earl of Eastleigh has sent us.” This made Dexter nearly hyperventilate and it took all his composure to try and remain calm. “Just sit back and relax, we are going for a short ride,” the man said. Dexter just stared at the two men with total disbelief; finally, the car pulled into an old abandoned warehouse and stopped.

  “Please, I have money, I can pay,” pleaded Dexter.

  “This is not about money, Mr Simon-Smyth,” replied the man sitting opposite.

  “I don’t follow,” said Dexter.

  “This is about family and honour, something you are seriously lacking in your life.”

  “I still don’t understand,” said Dexter.

  “Nor will you ever, Mr Dexter Simon-Smyth.” This was the last thing that Dexter heard before the side of his head exploded across the back seat of the Rolls Royce. The shot had come from the driver, who had shot between the two men with a silenced pistol. Both men left the car, and walked toward a waiting car. The driver picked up the spent cartridge and casually tossed it in the back at Dexter Simon-Smyth’s feet. He then got out, removed the silencer from the pistol and placed the gun in the hand of the slumped body of Dexter Simon-Smyth. Staring briefly into the back of the car, he made sure all the doors were closed and nothing was left or looked out of place. He then smiled, closed the door and moved towards the waiting car as well.

  Detective Chief Superintendent Albert Cross pulled up just short of the yellow tape, turned off his engine and sat for a few minutes. He smiled. His old stomping ground; he had been born and raised not a stone’s throw from where he sat now. Albert was an old-fashioned copper, joined as a constable, when the only entrance criteria where you had to be big and have brawn. Not like nowadays, where to get on in the police you need a degree. It still amazed him how a degree in geography could make you a better candidate for promotion than someone with life skills. Even his new boss was twenty-three, came out of university and was fast tracked to his present position. It still made Albert smile knowing that he still could run rings around him. Sure, he had the procedures and theory all down to pat, but actual police work he was clueless. But after over thirty years as a copper, he did not dwell on things; he was known as a hard-old-fashioned copper but fair and decent.

  Looking up, he saw his inspector striding towards the car. Even he was a university graduate and no doubt in a few years Albert would be reporting to him, but for now Albert was top dog. Exiting his car, Albert said, “What we got, James?”

  “Looks like a posh suicide, boss.”

  “OK, show me,” replied Albert, as they moved toward the car. James kept up a running commentary on the situat
ion as it stood.

  “Car was found this morning by two kids playing in the area, once they saw the body they reported it, patrol car was here within fifteen minutes and had the area cordoned off.”

  “Nice car,” said Albert.

  “Belongs to Easington Investment Bank, we found the deceased’s wallet on him and we can confirm the body is a Mr Dexter Simon-Smyth, Chairman of the company.”

  “Strange place to come,” said Albert.

  “Bit off the beaten track,” replied James, stepping under the yellow tape.

  Albert said, “Morning Doc, what we got?” Dr Sam Wright, the police forensic officer, stood up as Albert and James approached.

  “Morning Albert,” she said, smiling. “Body been dead for at least fourteen hours. Single gunshot wound to the side of the head, dead on impact I would say,” said Sam, smiling. “Will let you have the full autopsy later today, once I get him back to the lab.”

  “Thank you, Doc,” said Albert.

  “Can we remove the body now?” asked Sam.

  “Of course, Doc, if your people have finished.” Albert moved around the car and stood at the front. “Did anyone report him missing?” asked Albert.

  “Not that I am aware,” replied James.

  “Well, find out. He was a chairman of an investment bank, these people are not normal every day working class,” said Albert.

  “Will do, boss,” replied James, writing in his notebook.

  Albert went on, “Find out why he drove his own car yesterday, these people do not do things for themselves. Get the team to find out where he lived and speak to his secretary and his work colleagues, and especially his driver. Let’s build up a picture of Mr Dexter Simon-Smyth.”

  “What you thinking, boss?” asked James.

  “It’s all too neat, and tidy for me,” replied Albert. Albert had a nose for crime, and this scene stank of bullshit. It had just started to lightly run.

  “Not a lot more we can do here, let pick this up in the morning.”

  “Fancy a pint, James?”