Chapter 21
‘Good morning, Barker, Momen and Dodds. How can I help you?’
Robin took a breath, telling himself he’d done his homework.
He’d checked that Barker, Momen and Dodds was a real firm of solicitors.
He’d done an online search with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority to make sure they were properly licensed to operate in the UK.
He’d accessed their website, which had told him very little other than that the firm operated in the fields of dispute resolution, real estate, employment and trusts and estates.
They had offices in Singapore, Exeter and not far from Holborn station in London.
They were contactable by email, telephone, a crisis hotline and even the good old-fashioned postal service.
Until they’d answered the phone, though, he hadn’t really believed in them.
‘I got a letter from you,’ he began. ‘There wasn’t a contact name. It mentioned someone called Logan Quick.’
‘May I take your name, sir?’ the young man asked after a moment. Then, ‘Ah, yes, Mr Knight. Can you confirm that the token is in your possession as we speak?’
Odd question. Robin looked down at the letter on the kitchen table. The token lay on the envelope.
‘Yes, I’m looking at it now.’
‘Keep it safe, Mr Knight. It’s very important that you keep it safe. We’ll be in touch when the time comes. Good morning to you.’
‘No, wait. I need to talk to someone. I mean, who is Logan Quick? And why would he be leaving me money? I’d never even heard of Logan Quick before yesterday. I’ve certainly never met him. Is this for real?’
‘It’s certainly real, sir. But I can’t discuss this case over the telephone.’
‘So, what do I have to do? Make an appointment?’
‘Nothing is required of you at this stage. If you wanted to make an appointment with Mr Caiger, I can do that for you now. Mr Caiger is the partner dealing with this case. An initial consultation costs one hundred and fifty pounds, with future consultations billed at three hundred pounds per hour.’
‘You want me to make an appointment that will cost me one hundred and fifty pounds, not to mention my travel costs, before you’ll tell me anything?’
‘Making an appointment, or not, is entirely your choice, Mr Knight. Nothing is required of you at this stage.’
‘Can you tell me how many tokens you sent out?’
‘I can’t discuss this case over the telephone.’
‘Is this even legal?’
‘Sir, we’re one of the country’s leading law firms. We never knowingly involve ourselves in illegal activity.’
‘What happens if I lose it? This token thing? What if I lose it?’
‘Try to avoid that eventuality, sir. I’m sorry. I have another call coming in. Good morning.’
The call was ended.
Ten minutes later Robin called back and made an appointment for the following Tuesday. In between calls, he’d made the token safe. He hoped.