Without Prejudice by Nicola Williams

Author:Nicola Williams [Williams, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780241992012
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2021-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Giles leaned back in his chair. Relief washed over him. Oliver had come through after all. And his timing couldn’t have been better. Old university chums always came in handy. Even old university enemies.

He picked up the telephone and tapped out a number.

‘Channel Four? May I speak to Lezli Markham, please? … Oh. When will she be available? … Well, I’m sorry to have missed her. My name is Giles Townsend. I’m an undergraduate contemporary of Lezli’s. I was ringing to commend her on “The Rules of Engagement”. I thought it was a very fine piece of journalism about a controversial topic, most sensitively done. As a lawyer, I’m particularly sympathetic to the plight of victims of this most grievous violation of trust. In fact, I have some information about a similar case I’m currently working on which I’m sure will be of interest to her. Please ask her to telephone me.’ As he gave his Chambers number, Giles smiled to himself. He had begun the climb.

Lee didn’t want to use her car. Too conspicuous. She had borrowed David’s old estate instead. The car smelt like him. She tried not to get too maudlin. She had to be sharp tonight. Driving that, and dressed in jeans and a black leather jacket, she looked like any other black woman taking care of business. Which was precisely what she hoped to do today.

She’d agreed to meet Ray at a pub in Brixton, one where a black woman and a white man talking together would not attract too much attention, and away from their respective immediate areas.

He was already there when she arrived, seated at a small table in the furthest corner, away from the window. Judging by his full beer glass, he hadn’t long preceded her.

He looked up as she pulled out a chair and sat down.

‘So what’s all this about?’ he asked, without preamble.

‘I was hoping you’d tell me. That’s why I rang you.’

‘What are we talking about, exactly?’ His tone was evasive.

‘Look, Ray. When I saw you at Omartian’s bail application, you asked me how much he knew about me. Plus, I thought you and Brendan were friends, but the atmosphere was so cold between the two of you, I’m surprised I didn’t need my thermals. Now I find my client knows exactly – and I mean exactly – the quickest route from where I live to Southwark Crown Court, which I know I didn’t tell him. Something’s going on, and I don’t like not knowing what it is.’

‘So what makes you think I know anything?’

Lee sighed. ‘No bullshit, Ray, please. You agreed to meet me. Of course you know something. The only question is how much. And even if it’s just a little, it’s more than I do right now.’

He sat back in his chair and considered her, as if weighing up whether to tell her anything. Finally, he spoke.

‘I don’t know much. And if I tell you, things could get really nasty. I mean, seriously. But— All right, Mick?’ Ray was looking up and over Lee’s head.

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