Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The minister of state for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention was a portly man in his sixties. His complexion bordered on gray, and there were no laugh lines around his eyes. Harvard disliked him on sight. Worse, he distrusted him. He emitted the same vibe as his nephew—oily self-importance.
“Come in,” Minister Fitzwater said, flashing a crocodile’s smile.
Harvard followed Rachel, who strode into the office like she owned it. Damn, she was magnificent. While she took the offered seat on the other side of the massive mahogany desk, Harvard scanned the room’s layout, looking for threats and making note of any escape routes.
Although the minister was in one of the newest government buildings, he’d decorated the space as though it were the nineteenth-century parliament building instead. The walls were painted maroon, the carpet was rich brown, and the furniture was antique. Harvard could almost hear Rachel thinking that the office had been decorated with a nod to money rather than taste.
“This is a surprise.” The minister rounded his desk and pulled out his leather chair. Once seated, he clasped his hands in front of him. “So, what can I do for you, Lady Ford-Talbot?”
Harvard noted he wasn’t included in this query.
Rachel, never one to beat around the bush—or use tact—got straight to the point. “You can call your nephew in the Metropolitan Police and tell him to stop his preposterous investigation into Benson Security.”
A tiny muscle twitched in the minister’s jaw before he smiled. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about. The scope of my role doesn’t allow me to keep up to date on every single ongoing investigation in Britain.” He chuckled at the thought. “Perhaps this issue would be better raised with my nephew himself.”
Rachel didn’t give an inch. She tossed her sleek, dark hair over her shoulder before pinning the minister with the look she used in business negotiations. The one that made her adversaries cry like little babies. “I did exactly that this morning—when I was in an interview room being interrogated about my partnership role with Benson Security.” She leaned forward. “I did not enjoy the experience, and your nephew did not take my concerns seriously.”
The look of self-important glee in the minister’s eyes when they first arrived was long gone. “I’m not sure what you expect me to do about this. There are several levels of management between my nephew and myself.” He spread his hands wide in a gesture that said he was a very important person. “It seems to me that you would be better off speaking with his direct superior.”
“Funny.” Rachel cocked her head. “I thought it would be best to come to his family first. After all, if I start making noises about his behavior, it will surely reflect on the Fitzwaters’ good name. And we wouldn’t want that, considering the family is concerned with more pleasant matters at the moment. I believe the wedding is on Valentine’s Day? Do pass on our congratulations to your son and his fiancée. We received your gracious invitation and will respond presently. Weddings are such joyous occasions, don’t you think?”
Harvard could have sworn that a bead of sweat discreetly made its way down the minister’s neck before disappearing under his shirt collar.
“Yes,” he said tightly. “We’re thrilled about the wedding. I’m delighted you are able to attend.”
That almost made Harvard laugh because Rachel had only said they’d respond to the invite. He almost wished he didn’t have to be so alert and could just relax and watch his wife run rings around the minister. But Rachel had a tendency to attract trouble, which meant he had to monitor which direction it might come from. Watching over his wife was a full-time job. And he loved it.
“Now you understand why we came to you first,” Rachel said smoothly. “I do hate a family scandal, don’t you?”
The minister cleared his throat before trying to appear genial. It looked like hard work. “I would hardly call my nephew doing his job scandal material, would you?”
“I guess it’s all in the spin.” Rachel examined her blood-red nails. “The media does like to put a spin on things, don’t they? It’s so tiresome having to keep on top of it all.”
There was a moment of heavy silence as the minister and Rachel stared at each other. Harvard wondered if this was how it felt to be present when two gunslingers faced off against each other at high noon. Who’d draw first? Whose aim would be best? He’d put his money on Rachel any day of the week.
“I can’t say that I’m familiar with Benson Security,” the minister said, his voice tight.
“Really?” Rachel wasn’t giving an inch. “They’re rather well-known in government circles. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of them. One of their founding members was responsible for the government’s security software, and the company handed the James Gang to the police a couple of years ago. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the terrorist plot the team foiled off the west coast of Scotland. Since its inception, Benson Security has been defending Britain and helping our government. Perhaps you’re more familiar with the name Lake Benson?”
Minister Fitzwater’s jaw visibly clenched before he forced a smile. “Ah, it’s ringing a bell now. And you say Garrison is investigating them?”
“Quite doggedly,” Rachel said.
“On what charges?”
“Everything from parking without a permit to terrorism, I believe.”
The minister’s smile turned sympathetic, but his eyes remained hard. “I’m confident that if there’s no evidence to back up these allegations, Garrison will happily release your colleagues, so I suggest that you practice some patience and trust your lawyers to do their job. I’m certain this will be over in no time.”
“‘No time’ is actually fourteen days.” Rachel narrowed her eyes. “As your portfolio covers these areas, I’m sure you’re familiar with the length of time my friends can be held while your nephew investigates his claims.”
“Yes.” Minister Fitzwater appeared thoughtful. “I do believe fourteen days is the limit for holding a suspect during a terrorism inquiry. But again, if no evidence comes to light during the investigation, your team will be released.”
“I’m sure they will,” Rachel said. “Unfortunately, by the time that happens, Benson Security’s reputation will be in shreds. As one of the owning partners, I can’t let that happen.”
“Well,” Fitzwater said, drawing himself up to his full height, “I’m unsure what you expect me to do about it.”
“Pick up the phone,” Rachel said. “Call your nephew and ask him what he’s doing. That’s what I expect you to do. This case is baseless and could cause the Metropolitan Police and the government a lot of embarrassing press. I’m trying to prevent that and would appreciate your cooperation in making it happen.”
“Look, I’m a busy man,” Fitzwater snapped, definitely losing his cool now. “I don’t have time to monitor my nephew when he is perfectly capable of doing his job. I’ve already made time in my day to entertain you and your husband, and I’m afraid that is the limit of my available capacity.”
“This is family.” Rachel stood, hooking her handbag over the crook of her elbow. “In our society, we make time for family. Isn’t that true, Mr. Fitzwater?”
The look in the minister’s eyes put Harvard on instant alert. He did not like it one bit. This was a man used to manipulating people to get what he wanted, and it appeared he had limited experience in dealing with someone like Rachel. Someone who wouldn’t be intimidated by him or handled by his charm.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Fitzwater said at last as he stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a scheduled conference call with the prime minister.”
“Of course.” Rachel inclined her head, like the queen taking leave of a subject. “I would very much appreciate an update once you’ve talked to your nephew. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” The minister pressed a button on the phone on his desk. “Deirdre, Lady Ford-Talbot is leaving now. Could you ensure that she’s escorted out and her car has been called for her?”
“Yes, Minister.”
Once again, Harvard noted he wasn’t included in the conversation. He wasn’t sure if it was because Rachel was the one with the pedigree or because he was an African American man. Either way, it didn’t matter to him. All he cared about was keeping Rachel safe while she took on the world, something she couldn’t seem to stop doing.
“It’s been delightful,” Minister Fitzwater said as Harvard opened the door.
“I look forward to hearing from you,” Rachel replied. “And all the very best with the wedding. I wouldn’t want anything to ruin your son’s big day.”
Harvard closed the door on the minister’s glare.
“You just had to threaten him,” he muttered to his wife.
Rachel swanned past the minister’s secretary with a nod, making no effort to wait for their escort. Harvard shrugged. Guess they’d just have to jog to catch up.
“Now I know why we don’t associate with the Fitzwaters,” Rachel said as she strode toward the elevators. “It’s not that we run in different circles; it’s because they’re a bunch of scheming, rat-brained narcissists.”
Harvard grinned as Rachel jabbed at the elevator call button. “That’s a colorful description. But accurate.”
Anger vibrated off her. “I suspect he won’t make the call to his nephew, or if he does, it will only make things worse.”
“Hey.” He placed a hand on her lower back, feeling the cashmere of her long black coat beneath his palm. Rachel didn’t like public displays of affection, but it was clear she needed comfort. “You tried. That’s what counts. We need to try all the doors to see which ones open. That’s all we can do.”
Her eyes narrowed again. “Or I could go to the press and publicly humiliate the whole damn family.”
“Let’s call that plan B,” Harvard said as the elevator doors opened and two security men appeared. He smiled at them. “Are you our escort out of here?”
The men didn’t seem too pleased to find they weren’t waiting for them outside the minister’s office but stepped aside to make space for them to enter. Harvard noted they took up flanking positions. He wasn’t worried. If push came to shove, he could take them easily. He doubted either of the men had his training or skills.
“Let’s go see if the rest of the team has come up with anything,” he said to Rachel as they made the short journey to the ground floor.
She raised her chin. “I prefer my plan, but I suppose we could try yours first.”
“That’s my girl,” he said with a grin.