Act of Exposure by Cathryn Cooper Read Free Book Online Page B

his, she turned her gaze
firmly back to Christopher Probert.
    'And how is
the Rheingold case? Is Reuben Rheingold likely to wallow inside the
Scrubs for his manipulation of other people's wealth?'
    Christopher
Probert took a swig of dark, red wine before lie replied.
    'If I am
successful, my dear Abigail, he will wallow there for a very long
time. Wallowing will suit him. He's fat as a hippo, has no hair,
and has an odd penchant for wearing grey suits, and grey only. He's
a very grey man. Wallowing was made for the likes of him. Besides,
he made away with a lot of people's money.'
    'A lot of rich people's money,' Abigail countered. 'And rich people can
afford to - shall we say - make you push a little harder for a
conviction?'
    She saw him
wince, knew for sure that he had only been talking law, not
thinking it. As usual, he was imagining what he would like to do to
her, what he would have her do to him.
    The journalist
was still staring at her. She managed to avoid looking directly at
him. Like Christopher, it was easy to see what was on his mind.
    Christopher
continued. 'He's guilty, Abigail. I'm thoroughly convinced - not
just as a professional, but also on a personal level. I had money
in Swan and Swallow Investments myself.'
    'I didn't know
that. However, can you really say that the evidence you have is
conclusive? Do you really believe that this one man - a manager as
opposed to a financier - could alone be responsible for the
mistakes made? Give, Christopher. Tell me the names of those you
think are really responsible. You must have some idea.'
    Christopher
tossed his head and hissed slightly. His tone became more intense.
'You're an idealist, Abigail. More so than you think. You're
looking for the cavalry or the white knight to come riding in and
put everything to rights.' He leaned nearer to her. She could smell
the wine on his breath. 'Well, it won't happen. Rheingold will go
down regardless of what one certain member of Parliament is
saying.'
    Abby shook her
head and eyed Christopher with amused pity. She'd heard that an MP
named Stephen Sigmund was asking awkward questions. 'I had heard he
was crusading for an investigation by the SFO.'
    'Crusading! Is
that what you call it?'
    'Yes.
Crusading. Like a white knight. You know. The sort that gallops to
the rescue of those that can't help themselves.'
    Vector the
journalist had so far remained silent. Now, inspired by what he had
heard, he awoke and spoke.
    'Crusading -
that's a wonderful term, Miss Corrigan. What a lovely thought to
have a white knight riding into battle, to save the holy scriptures
from the infidels, the law from the lawless, the sacred from the
profane!'
    It was hard
not to be speechless, but Abby hid her sudden cough with a mouthful
of wine. What the hell was going on in this guys' mind? Why did he
turn so pink as he gazed adoringly at her? She looked to Probert,
who just stared blankly at Vector, blinked, then quickly and
clumsily changed the subject.
    He began to
tell Abby all about his own investments and the fifty thousand he
had lost at Swan and Swallow. Now, she judged, was the time to take
her leave. She made her excuses, smiled at each man, then walked
away. Aware they were both watching her, she did not look back.
    Recently
arrived, Stephen Sigmund watched the tall, graceful woman with the
silvery blonde hair. Being a politician, of course, he could carry
on the most convoluted conversation as he did this. He talked of
the latest scandals, the rumour that more than one politician had
had his fingers in the Swan and Swallow Investments fiasco. He also
repeated his own boast that he would make every effort required to
expose the offenders.
    'You could run
into trouble,' someone said.
    'So could
they,' he countered. 'I dislike power making scapegoats of the
weak, and Rheingold is weak. He's only a manager. There's someone
else behind him.'
    'All very
well, my dear Stephen, but how the devil are you going to prove it,
man?'
    Stephen