Sleeping Cruelty Read Online Free

William took out one of the decanters, poured a glass of water, and passed it to Maynard, who sipped it gratefully.
    At last Maynard had pulled himself together. ‘I have never done anything illegal in my life,’ he said. ‘As a politician I have to be scrupulously honest – and everything you’re offering might be a potential trap – might ruin my career prospects. I’ll get there the hard way, if I have to, no matter how long it takes. I have no interest in personal wealth – or a “makeover”.’ He took a deep breath. ‘All those things are insignificant in comparison to the kind of changes I want to make to this country. Our current system is corrupt, we need to—’
    ‘Stop the car, please.’ William cut Maynard off before he could finish his sentence. He’d heard Maynard’s speeches repeatedly during the campaign, and applauded the radical ideas he had urged on his supporters. But now he was trying William’s patience. He leaned over and opened the young man’s door. ‘Get out, I’ve heard enough. Some people like to spend two million on a racehorse, but they never place a bet. It’s not the money they want, it’s not the winnings that excite them, it’s the enjoyment of watching the horse race, and the thrill of when – if – it wins. That’s all there is to it. That’s all you are to me. Now go home.’
    ‘Your racehorse ? I jump when you say so?’
    William shook his head in exasperation. All he wanted, he said, was to see Maynard win his seat in the next election and to be there to watch him do it. Then he took pity on him. ‘No strings, no traps. I believe in you , you dumb bastard!’
    William held out his hand for Maynard to shake. ‘I mean it, I believe in you, son. You shine brightly, and you’re right to be cautious. This is a career you’ve wanted since you were a kid. Well, I’ll give it to you, with no ulterior motive. Now push off, I have work to do.’
    Maynard walked away, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. He must have looked such a wimp, but in fact he was highly ambitious and, at times, aggressive. Nevertheless, he would not allow himself to be treated like a commodity: he was not for sale. His career could not be compared with a racehorse. He had suffered too much already to get to where he was. Then he stopped and gave a humourless laugh. What career? In the cold light of morning, after all the hype, he knew he was still low on the political ladder. But maybe he had just stepped up a rung.
    It took him three further days to contact William Benedict. His excuse for not calling earlier was that he had been busy with post-campaign work. In reality he had taken legal advice. He told William that he had decided to accept his offer and made it clear there must be no possibility of any backlash against him. Then he relaxed. He had a benefactor whom most ambitious men would give their right arm for.
    He was a little taken aback by William’s non-committal response. He was quite cool; it appeared that his mind was elsewhere. All he said was: ‘Good, but you realize it’ll have little to do with me personally? Apart from the money, it’ll all be down to you. I’ll see you at my lawyer’s tomorrow.’

    Maynard’s cosmetic makeover took more time to finalize than the legal accountancy and drawing up of acceptable bank accounts. It was imperative that the monetary transactions could not possibly be construed as a bribe from William, especially considering the fuss that had been made over the recent Aitken case. As Maynard had insisted it was all above suspicion: no ulterior motive could be detected behind his benefactor’s generosity. The contract went back and forth and Maynard pored over it foranything that might be misconstrued if it ever became public knowledge.
    Six months after their breakfast at Claridge’s the change in Maynard’s appearance was beginning to pay off. The fact that the tailoring and the dental work had taken so long was a blessing, because