A Spy by Nature

Author:Charles Cumming
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Charles Cumming, Deception, Intelligence officers, Political, Betrayal, Fiction, Espionage
ISBN: 9780140294767
Publisher: Penguin
Published: 2002-07-03T00:38:42+00:00

19

Seize the Day

The keypad on my telephone at home has four preprogrammed numbers: 1 is Mum; 2 is Saul; 3 is Katharine and Fortner; 0 is Abnex. The rest are blank.

I push Memory 3 and listen to the tone-dial symphony of their number ringing out.

She answers.

Here we go.

‘Hello. Katharine Lanchester.’

‘I don’t fucking believe it.’

‘Alec. Is that you?’

‘I don’t fucking believe it.’

‘Alec, what is it?’

‘Abnex have told me they’re not satisfied with what I’m doing. With my work. They’re not convinced I’m doing the best I can.’

‘Slow down, honey. Slow down.’

‘I don’t fucking believe it.’

‘What did they say?’

‘That if I don’t start pulling my weight they won’t give me a contract when my trial period is over.’

‘When did they say this?’

She whispers ‘It’s Alec’ to Fortner. He’s there in the room with her.

‘Today. Murray called me into his office and we both went upstairs and I was given a dressing down by David Caccia, the fucking guy who hired me in the first place. Obviously Murray’s been on to him about me. It was totally humiliating.’

‘Just you? Was anyone else criticized?’

I have to think about this before answering. It’s all lies.

‘Only Piers. But his job is safe, he’s on contract. He’s not in the same position as I am.’

‘It’s possible they’re just giving everybody a scare. Management likes to do that from time to time.’

‘Well then fuck them for doing that, Kathy. I’ve worked my arse off for that company, learning my trade, doing overtime, making up for the fact that I came in through the back door. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to…’

‘To what?’

‘I just can’t believe I’m being treated like this. And they have the nerve to pay me twelve thousand a year and still talk to me like that.’

‘It is kind of odd. I mean you’re there every night until eight or nine, right? Later sometimes.’

She’s finding it difficult to know what to say: my voice is shaking and I have taken her by surprise.

‘Wait a minute, Alec.’ There is a muffled noise on the line, like a piece of cloth being dragged across the receiver. ‘Fort’s trying to say something. What, honey? Yeah, that’s a good idea. Why don’t you come over here, for dinner, huh? We can talk about it. We haven’t eaten yet and besides, we haven’t seen you in almost two weeks.’

I wasn’t expecting this. It could all happen quicker than I anticipated.

‘Now? Are you sure it’s not too late? Because that would be great.’

‘Sure it’s not too late. Come on over. I got a chicken here needs roasting. There’s easily gonna be enough for three. Get a cab and you’ll be here in a half-hour.’

They both come to the door. Katharine’s face is a haven of sympathy; her hair is brushed out and she’s wearing a long black dress with red roses imprinted on the cotton. Fortner looks unsettled, nervous even. He is wearing flannel trousers and a white shirt, with an old, canary yellow tie knotted tight against his larynx.

‘Come on in,’ says Katharine, putting her arm across my shoulders.

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