Mr Geoffrey clasped his hands on the table and assumed his sincere but discreet expression. Unnecessarily lowering his voice, he said, ‘We have identified a niche market that is turning out to be rather lucrative.’
‘Well, good for you.’
‘The start-up costs were enormous but we are now at the point where we are beginning to see a return.’
‘That’s nice.’
‘We now feel we are in a position to enlarge our customer base. To the right sort of people, of course.’
‘To people who can afford it.’
‘Yes . . . obviously . . . but also to the sort of people who would appreciate not only the opportunity but the overwhelming need for discretion.’
‘Sorry,’ said Luke, putting down his glass. ‘As I said before, I don’t do trafficking. Women or drugs. Thanks for the opportunity – but no.’
He made to get up.
‘It’s neither.’
Luke regarded him with what he hoped was his best shrewd expression. ‘I get the feeling we’re talking about something not strictly legal.’
‘Not strictly, no – although we’re hoping that will change soon. Some very important people are right behind us on this – and as soon as things change – well, we’ll be ideally placed to lead the field.’
‘And what is the field? I should say I’m probably in enough trouble these days without breaking the law as well. I think that would just about finish me with Dad and I really don’t fancy swelling the ranks of the unemployed. And probably the unemployable, too.’
‘I think you underestimate your talents, Mr Parrish. Luke. All we require from you is that you pursue your usual vibrant social life and should you come across someone you think might benefit from our service, that you simply pass their details on to us.’
Luke shook his head. ‘If it’s moneylending – I’m still out. I’ve once or twice been on the receiving end of people who were cross with me over money and I’m not inflicting that on anyone else.’
Mr Geoffrey shook his head. ‘Let me reassure you on that point. Obviously, our customers will pay for our services, and we shall be offering you a substantial percentage of every fee.’
Luke stared suspiciously. As he said afterwards to Jane, he could feel his father’s genes lifting their long dormant heads. ‘How substantial?’
‘Ten per cent.’
‘Twelve and a half,’ he said, automatically.
‘Agreed,’ said Mr Geoffrey with a promptitude that made Luke wish he’d asked for fifteen.
‘You still haven’t told me what the product I’m supposed to be promoting actually is.’
Mr Geoffrey smiled.
‘Not a product – a service. We are in the business of offering a very select clientele the opportunity to . . . travel in time.’
Luke was conscious of a feeling of deep satisfaction. However, the time for him to cartwheel across the floor would come later. At the moment there was still a job to do.
He leaped to his feet. ‘Are you insane?’ He apparently remembered to lower his voice and sat down again, saying urgently, ‘Are you completely out of your minds? What about those thugs in the Time Police? They’re utter bastards, you know. Have you heard of some of the things they’ve done?’
‘Please be calm, Luke. I don’t think I’m giving too much away when I say we’ve been operating for some time now to various exclusive historical locations and the Time Police have not the slightest inkling of our existence.’
Luke visibly refrained from looking over his shoulder. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Well, we’re still in business. Very profitably, I might add. Luke, we are offering you an unparalleled opportunity here. This enterprise will make you rich. And at absolutely no risk to yourself. All you have to do is circulate as you would usually do, put out a few subtle feelers, send us the details, and we’ll do the rest. As soon as our clients make their initial disbursement, twelve and a half per cent will come your way. For very little effort – although, obviously the more customers you manage to find for us, the more you will earn. We could be talking about very substantial amounts of money. With our assistance – investment advice and so on – you might even earn enough one day to render yourself independent of your father.’
Luke paused – his attention apparently caught by this. ‘Even so,’ he said, allowing a little uncertainty to enter his voice, ‘it’s illegal.’
‘It’s a victimless crime, Luke. No one is hurt. In fact, many have said it’s a life-enhancing experience. Some say their lives have been changed forever. For the better, of course. And you would be an integral part of this. And I mean it when I say there is no risk. No one will expect you to join our clients. You need never go anywhere near our centre of operations should you wish not to do so.’
‘Oh no,’ said Luke. ‘You don’t get me promoting something I haven’t experienced for myself. How do I know you can do what you actually say you can do?’
‘A very good point. We would be very happy to arrange a taster session.’
‘And suppose I go blabbing about it afterwards?’
Suddenly, Mr Geoffrey was considerably less oily. ‘Oh, my dear boy, I don’t think that’s something we need concern ourselves with – do you?’
Luke felt his stomach slide. ‘No,’ he said, carefully. ‘I understand, I think.’
‘I knew you would.’
‘In that case, yes, I’m willing to give it a go. It’s actually quite exciting, isn’t it?’
‘That’s the spirit,’ said Mr Geoffrey, completely restored to his gelatinous self. ‘I am completely convinced we will all find this mutually beneficial.’
‘Um . . . I’ll have to bring Jane along.’
Mr Geoffrey appeared surprised. ‘Oh . . . well . . . obviously I don’t want to cause any offence but . . .’
‘I don’t have any choice.’ He held up his wrist to reveal a bracelet. ‘Jane and I are electronically linked. It’s part of the terms of my release. I’m allowed one Jane-free treat per week – as long as I stay within a two-mile radius of her, but otherwise, if we’re more than a hundred yards apart, then an alarm goes off somewhere. If Jane can’t account for the discrepancy, then back I go to rehab. I only get three strikes and I’ve accidentally had one already.’
Luke sipped his water. ‘I’ll tell you straight – I am not going back to that place again – ever – so if we can’t come to an arrangement then I’m sorry, but I’ll be unable to avail myself of your kind offer. Jane and I have been through a lot together. I have great confidence in her judgement. I want her opinion on this. The nature of her job renders her legally bound to confidentiality – a right recognised by the courts – but I quite understand she’s an unknown quantity to you and if you’re not happy for her to be included, then obviously there’s no more to be said and this conversation never happened.’