The Horse at the Gates Read Online Free PDF Page B

when are you thinking of dropping this bombshell?’ she finally asked.
    ‘As soon as Davies delivers that dossier. A week, maybe two. Then we can push some temporary legislation through parliament.’
    Ella slipped the glasses back on her face. ‘Gabe, you need to think about things very carefully. All this could play straight into the hands of the far-right, not to mention the Opposition.’
    ‘And what about the murders? The security breaches? If that gets out before we get a chance to denounce it we’ll look even worse.’
    ‘Maybe you should talk to Oliver first, before you take this any further.’
    Oliver Massey, billionaire former party treasurer and major financial contributor, was an old friend of Bryce’s and still held significant influence over party strategy. Bryce had impressed Massey as a young MP, the textile magnate subsequently funding Bryce’s campaign for party leadership and later donating a large percentage of his election-winning war chest. He was a good friend, yet a distant one, a very private figure who preferred the sunnier climbs of the Caribbean than the wind-swept shores of Britain. Looking out of the rain-streaked window, Bryce didn’t blame him. Yet, Massey was a believer, one still convinced that his old friend was the right man for the job.
    ‘He’s aware of my doubts about Cairo, and shares them. He’s prepared to back me whatever decision I make.’
    ‘But you just can’t-’
    ‘Enough,’ scowled Bryce. ‘I won’t be swayed on this, Ella. Your job is to keep on top of Davies, make sure that dossier shores up my decision. We need to spin it aggressively, so when we do go public people fully understand the scale of the problem.’
    Ella stayed quiet, knowing better than to argue with him when he had the bit between his teeth. His premiership had been a tough one, born on the back of a serious economic downturn and a failing power infrastructure. Ella was right, the country needed Cairo, but at what price? Super-cheap energy would certainly boost the economy, but if they couldn’t then the whole exercise was pointless. And there were other, darker repercussions to consider. Violence had begun to sweep the country, a spate of attacks that bore all the hallmarks of religious intolerance: two churches burnt down in Lancashire, Jewish cemeteries desecrated, the Israeli embassy in London firebombed. Bryce had ordered a media blackout in an effort to quash any subsequent escalation but the warning signals were clear. There could be no more refugees, no Treaty of Cairo, until the situation had been brought firmly under control. The country, and Brussels, would understand.
    Ahead, the sparkling towers of London shimmered in the night as the helicopter began its descent. ‘When does Tariq get back from Istanbul?’
    ‘Next week.’ Ella reached for her cell. ‘You want me to pull him out of the conference now?’
    Bryce shook his head. ‘No. The Islamic Congress will kick up a stink if we yank one of their guest speakers.’
    ‘So, how do you want to play this?’
    ‘We keep it to ourselves,’ Bryce ordered. ‘Just you, me and Davies. As soon as the dossier’s ready we go public.’
    Ella turned the cell over in her hand. It was a nervous gesture, Bryce knew. ‘What about Cabinet? You’ll have to brief them.’
    ‘No. I can’t afford any leaks on this one.’
    ‘That’s a risky game, Gabe.’
    ‘I’ll chance it. I’m fed up with off-the-record briefings making the front pages.’
    ‘And Tariq?’
    ‘Screw Tariq,’ Bryce snapped. ‘This whole mess could sink us thanks to that idiot. As soon as we’ve got that dossier Tariq is out. Finished.’
    Below, the ghostly luminance of Battersea’s chimneys swept into view as the helicopter circled the power station to land. Bryce unbuckled his seat belt as the aircraft settled on the glowing pad. It was only after he’d stepped out into the rain swept darkness, as he settled into the back seat of the waiting car, that