CASH & CREDIT 25

The interview with James was considerably more rewarding than their first encounter with Piers. James was clearly still in shock, a person who had enjoyed the rewards of his ill-gotten gains, but who had never truly focused on what the penalties for capture would be.

His mind was reeling with thoughts of his Wife, his Family, his respectability, position...........

Into these feverish thoughts, the cold voice of Susan punched through.

“Well my Son, you’re in a fine mess, aren’t you?” she said, standing there with her hands on her hips, completely in charge. The Chief sat quietly, enigmatically, letting his own presence and obvious authority speak for itself.

Susan was pacing up and down now, like a tiger patrolling its cage.

“The question now is - are you going to co- operate, or are you going to be awkward, which is it to be?” she said, like a much-feared schoolmarm, scolding her errant pupils.

Bottom lip quivering, James spoke in a tremulous voice.